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HISTORY
OF
FORT WAY N E,
PROM
THE EARLIEST KNOWN ACCOUNTS
OF
THIS POINT,
TO THE PRESENT PERIOD.
EMBRACING AN EXTENDED VIEW OF THE ABORIGINAL TRIBES
OF THE' NORTHWEST, INCLJDING, MORE ESPECIALLY,
THE MIAMIES, OF THIS LOCALITY-THEIR HABITS,
CUSTOMS, ETC.-TOGETHER WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL RELATIONS
OF THE NORTHWEST, FRO K THE LATTER
PART OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY, TO THE STRUGGLES OF 1812-14;
WITH A SKETCH OF THE
LIFE OF GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE;
INCLUDING ALSO A LENGTHY
BIOGRAPHY OF      THE   LATE    HON. SAMUEL      HANNA,
TOGETHER WITH SHORT
SKETCHES OF SEVERAL OF THE EARLY PIONEER
SETTLERS OF FORT WAYNE.
ALSO AN ACCOUNT OF THE
MANUFACTURING, MERCANTILE, AND RAILROAD INTERESTS
OF FORT WAYNE AND VICINITY.
-0H    ILLUWIcIH ILLUSfTIF-lbiOJ'W.
o --
FORT WISY WES, wiJS:
D. W. JONES & SON, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.
1868.




Entered, according to act of Congress, on the 26th day of February, 1868,
BY WALLACE A. BRICE,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for
the District of Indiana.




TO THE CITIZENS
OF THE
CITY OF FORT WAYNE AND VICINITY,
AND
Farmers of Allen County,
AS AN HUMBLE TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM,
This Volume is most Kindly dedicated,
BY THE AUTHOR.




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PREFATORY REMARKS.
When I first thought to gather together and arrange the material with which to
form the HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE, I had little comprehended the magnitude and
extent of the field or matter thereof; and after receiving the ready and liberal assurances and aid of a large mass of the citizens of Fort Wayne in substantialsubscriptions thereto, and made known my intention to issue the work, Isoon found myself
encompassed on all sides by a vast store of information and facts, from which to
draw and form the material for the work.
Though, from an early day, widely known as a point of great interest and importance, both as to its aboriginal renown, throughout the northwest, for many consecutive years  and the whites, for nearly a century before the war of 1812, yet,
aside from a few short, hastily-written, and very incomplete sketches of the place
and adjacent localities, no one had ever ventured or been sufficiently aroused to the
importance and value of such a volume, to write and arrange the history of this
old carrying-place, and formner center of Indian life, in view of which, the French,
the English, and the American soldiers had so long successively stood guard.
Having procured many valuable documents, old and rare, from which to, draw
much of interest for the work, and received also much important information from
those of the Pioneer fathers and mothers among us, who still survive to tell the
story of
" the early times out west,!:!  ~ ~;  *  >:
In the days when THEY were Pioneers,
Fifty years ago,"
I readily saw that, to do justice to so extended a body of matter, time would not
only be required to put it into readable form, but much care needed in the sifting
and selection of the material; and so, with large perseverance and a determination
not to slight or overlook any important feature of the work, during the latter part
of May and first of June last, I began industriously to devote myself to the task of
writing and arranging the matter for the volume, often, during the warm months
of summer, repairing to the woods in the vicinity, writing much of the work upon
the ground, where, in former years, were to be seen many Indian lodges, and also
contiguous to points where the early skirmishes between the Indians and whites
had occurred.
Thus pushing forward, filling several hundred pages of paper, by the latter
part of September, I found my task about complete, and the MSS. in the hands
of the printer.
In my efforts to obtain information, I am pleased to say that many not only
freely told me all the important facts they could call to mind, but kindly extended
to me the use of valuable books, papers, &c. Among these I may name Cnas. B3




PREFATORY REMARKS.                           VI
Lasselle, Esq., of Logansport, Ind., John P. Hedges, Esq., Hon. J. W. Borden,
Louis Peltier, T. N. Hood, Dr. J. B. Brown, J. L. Williams, Esq., Mr. J. J. Comparet,
Mrs. Griswold, Mrs. Laura Suttenfield, and others.
Among the historical works referred to, and drawn from, I have been par.
ticularly careful to "keep good company," and have used the material of those
volumes only which have well snstained a reputation for accuracy, some of which
have long since gone out of print. Among these, I may mention " The History of
the Late War in the Western Country," by Col. Robt. B. M'Afee, who was here
with the army during much of the war of 1812 and'14-(this volume is now fifty
years old); Butler's " History of Kentucky "-1836; Drake's " Life of Black Hawk"
-1833; "The Hesperian, or Western Monthly Magazine "-1838; " The American
Pioneer;"'" Wau-Bun, the' Early Day' in the Northwest; " "Western Annals;"
Sparks' " American Biography," "States and Territories of the Great West; " Parkman's " History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac;" Dillon's "History of Indiana;" Judge
Law's "Address" —1839; etc., etc., together with a number of papers containing interesting and valuable sketches.
Much more might have been added to the work; but the price charged for it
would not well admit of an enlargement beyond the number of pages presented.
In actual amount of matter, however, the pages being "solid," it will not fall far
short of many works of a similar character, which, though containing a less number
of lines on each page, are yet much more bulky and voluminous. Indeed, so extensive were many of the facts and matter generally from which the work has been
drawn, that, in some instances, I have been compelled to leave out and cut short
much matter that I should liked to have presented in the present issue. But all
will "keep," very well, subject to a further'call by the public.
In the latter part of this volume, the reader will find, together with some other
matter of interest, several sketches of early settlers of Fort Wayne, conspicuous
among which will be found a very lengthy Biography of our late most beloved
and lamented fellow-citizen, Hon. Samuel Hanna, from the able pen of his old
friend and companion, one of Fort Wayne's most worthy and respected citizens,
G. W.Wood, Esq. A short sketch of the father of Charles B. Lasselle, Esq., " the
first white man born at Ke-ki-ong-a," will be found in this part of the work; one
also of Mr. H. Rudisill, father of our county Auditor. But all will be read with equal
care and interest by the reader. Thanking the citizens generally, of Fort Wayne
and Allen county, including especially the publishers of each of our city papers,
for the interest manifested in behalf of the work, and the liberal aid extended to it,
in the form of subscriptions, I trust, in return, the volume may not only rove a
source of much interest and value to all, but be successful in rescuing from a comparative oblivion the historic importance to which Fort Way ne is so justly entitled.
WALLACE A. BRICE.
FORT WAYNE, IND      c.,., 1867.




BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE.




SKETCH OF THE LIFE
OF
GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE.
--------
" Lives of TEUE men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Foot-prints on the sands of time."
-. 0 ---
ANTHONY WAYNE was not alone a valiant officer and soldier. He was a
moral hero. His frontal brain was large, and the crown of his head well
expanded. Largely intuitive, ever thoughtful, sagacious, and resolute of
will; his soul was imbued with a large feeling of benificence as well as determination-a high admiration of the beautiful and picturesque in nature.
While clinging to the sword, as a means of safety, he was disposed to invite
his antagonist to join in a council of peace. Always on the look-outcautious and most prudent in his movements-bold, intrepid, and fearless,
when called to the field of battle, his opponents were sure, sooner or later,
to come to defeat. He was, by nature and organization, a soldier, a tactician, a hero. Somewhat scholarly, he wrote not only a fair hand, but an
agreeable diction; and was noted for his laconicism.*  Born with the
great spirit of true Freedom deeply impressed upon him, at an early age he
became imbued with the importance of freeing his country, and making it
an asylum  for the out-growth, establishment, and perpetuation of unsullied liberty, free institutions, and good government. Thus actuated
and impelled, the name of ANTHONY WAYNE is found among the first to
lead the way at the commencement of the American Revolution; and
when, a few years after the long struggle for Independence, the West called
for the services of one equal to the emergency of the time, he was soon
sent to her relief; and the country, after the lapse of a few months, subsequent to his movement thither, was made to rejoice under a new reign
of peace and safety.t
The grand-father of Wayne was a1r Englishman by birth, who left his
native country during 1681, and removed to Ireland, where he devoted;'At the capture of Stony Point, he addressed the following to Gen. Washington
STONY POINT, 16TII JULY, 1776, 2 O'clock, A. AM.
DFEAa GEl'NECRAL:-The fort and garrisonr with Col. Johnson are ours. Our officers and
men behaved like men who are determined to be free.  Yours most sincerely
Gen. Washington.                                 ANT'Y WAYNE.
tSee Chapter XII of this volume.




BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE.                 IX.
himself to agriculture for a period of several years. Entering the army
of William of Orange, against King James, the exile, in 1690, he fought
at the battle of the Boyne, and took part in the siege of Limerick, making
himself quite servicable to the state, for which he seems never to have been
duly rewarded, and becoming eventually much dissatisfied with the general relations of his adopted country, at the age of sixty-three he left
Ireland, and ventured upon a voyage across the Ocean, reaching Pennsylvania in 1722. With the new country he was much pleased, and soon
purchased a farm and settled in Chester county of that state; and it was
here that his grand-son and name-sake, the subject of this sketch, was
born, on the 1st of January, 1745.
But little is known of the early life of Wayne, further than he was
accounted a " pretty wild boy," and from his youth seemed to have had a
greater fondness for the art and peril of war than any thing his mind could
be called to. For this pass-time and amusement, he forsook school, schoolbooks, and gave little heed to much earnest advice. His uncle, Gilbert
Wayne, to whom Anthony was sent as a pupil to acquire the common
rudiments of an education, wrote to his father as follows concerning his
nephew:
I really suspect," said he, " that parental affection blinds you; and
that you have mistaken your son's capacity. What he may be best
qualified for, I know not; but one thing I am certain of, that he will
never make a scholar. He may make a soldier; he has already distracted the brains of two-thirds of the boys under my direction, by rehersals
of battles, and sieges &c. They exhibit more the appearance of Indians and
harlequins than of students; this' one, decorated with a cap of many
colors; and others, habited in coats as variegated as Joseph's of old;
some, laid up with broken heads, and others with black eyes. During
noon, instead of the usual games and amusements, he has the boys employed in throwing up redoubts, skirmishing, &c.  I must be candid
with you, brother Isaac; unless Anthony pays more attention to his
books, I shall be under the painful necessity of dismissing him from
the school."
The result of this was a severe lecture from his father, who threatened,
likewise, to withdraw him from school and place him upon the farm at
hard work, if failing to conduct himself differently, in the future, and give
over his sham battling, erection of redoubts, military rehearsals, and
building of mud forts. The earnest, resolute words of his father, for
whom he entertained a strong affection and regard, were deeply impressed
upon him; and he resolved to return to his uncle, devote himself to his
studies, and forsake all that had given rise to former complaint against
him. Thus acting and applying himself diligently to his studies for a
period of eighteen months, his uncle was compelled to admit that he had
not only "' acquired all that his master could teach," but that " he merited
the means of higher and more general instruction," which induced his
father at once to send him to the Philadelphia Academy, where, at the
age of eighteen years, he had acquired an extended knowledge of Astronomy
and Mathematics. Returning again to his native county, he now entered
upon the business of land surveying.
It was about this period that the peace between the powers of Great
Britain and France was terminated, which placed Nova Scotia in the




Z ~.          3~HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
possession of the former, and the British government at once bethought
to colonize her newly acquired territory; and associations soon began to
be formed in some of the older provinces with a view to colonizing these
newly acquired regions. Prominent among these was a company of merchants and others, from Pennsylvania, embracing among their number
Benjamin Franklin, and through the recomendation of Franklin, young
WAYNE,then in his twenty-first year,was readily chosen special agent to visit
the newly-acquired territory, to examine the soil best adapted to agricultural pursuits, and to gain information as to " the means of commercial
facilities connected with it."  Upon this important mission young Wayne
not only soon embarked and performed the duties thereof most satisfactorilyto all concerned, but was continued in the trust till the year 1767,
when the difficulties, then assuming a serious attitude between the mother
country, and the colonial settlements of America, had the effect to
break up the enterprise and call the attention of the colonists to matters
of self-defense directly within the colonial settlements.
Returning again to Pennsylvania, young Wayne, in 1767, was united
in wedlock to the daughter of a distinguished merchant in Philadelphia,
of the name of Benjamin Penrose, whither he soon returned to Chester
county, and again embarked in the occupation of surveying, engaging
also in agricultural pursuits when a short cessation or pause in his profession occurred; and in this latter vocation he is said to have "found much
to gratify his taste."
Continuing to menace the colonies, and insist upon her policy of taxation, up to the period of 1774-5-to which time we find Wayne still
engaged in the business of surveying and farming-Great Britain was at
length met with a formidable front by the colonists, who had determined
to resist the further aggressions of the king and Parliament of the British
government, even to the sword.. Indeed, matters had now assumed such a
shape as to leave no room or hope for escape on the part of the colonial
settlements; and WAYNE was among the first to step forward and declare for a positive stand against the further encroachment of the
British Crown.
The events now surely leading to a long and severe struggle against
the mother country, in which he was to take so active a part, had years
before, when but a boy, been foreshadowed in his ardent love of military
sports-his fondness for the erection of redoubts and mud forts, of which
his uncle so earnestly complained; and seeing largely the importance
of readiness for such a campaign, Wayne began at once to withdraw himself from all political assemblies of the country, and devote himself to
the organization and instruction of military bodies. In this he was not
only wise, but successful; for, within the period of six weeks, he was
able to bring together and form a company of volunteers, " having," says
the account,* from which the foregoing was principally drawn," more the
appearance of a veteran than of a military regiment."
The energy and capacity of WAYNE had now begun to attract public
attention; and during the early part of January, 1776, the Continental
Congress readily conferred upon him the title of Colonel, and gave himthe
command of " one of the four regiments required from Pennsylvania, in
reinforcement of the northern army."  In his new capacity, he was ever
-Prepared by his son, Isaac Wayne, and first published in a work printed in
Philadelphia some years ago, called " THE CASKET."




BroGRAPHY OF GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE.                 XI.
noted for his diligence and activity, and his efforts were always attended
with marked success.
The regiment under his command having been speedily raised and
equiped, he soon took up his line of march for Canada; whither he arrived
about the latter part of June, ('76,) and formed a part of Thompson's
brigade, at the mouth of the river Sorel. Major-General Sullivan, then in
command of the northern army, arrived at this point about the same period of Wayne's arrival, and learning that the British commander had
sent a detachment of some six hundred light infantry to the westward, as
far as the village of Trois Rivieres, unattended by any relief corps, a plan
was at once agreed upon for the capture of the detachment and post,
and establishing there a formidable battery, " which, if not sufficient entirely to prevent the ascent of the British armed vessels and transports
to Montreal, might, for a time so embarrass the navigation, as greatly to
retard their progress thither."*
Accordingly, on the 3rd of July, with St. Clair's, Wayne's and Irvine's regiments, Major Sullivan dispatched Thompson to a little village on
the south side of the St. Lawrence, called Niccolete, which stood nearly
opposite to the village of Trois Rivieres.
Learning " that a place called the White-house (still nearer to the assailants than Trois Rivieres) was occupied by an advanced guard," and
Thompson, a tactician of the old school, being of the opinion that
troops acting offensively should leave no hostile post in their rear,"
began to move in the direction of the supposed position of the enemy,
but soon found that the point was unoccupied.
After the loss of much time and the encounter of many perplexities,
besides placing his men in a fair position for a surprise and capture,
Thompson now directed the troops to return to the place of their landing.
Having, for some hours previous, been shielded by the night, the dawn
now began to appear,'and the enemy caught sight of the detachment, and were soon driving it from point to point, until, at length,
the troops under Thompson were compelled to seek safety in a considerable morass, "from which he had just extricated himself," where " he and
afew others," were soon captured; and Col. St. Clair, second in command,
having, about the same time, been disabled in one of his feet, the further direction of the forces remaining fell upon Col. Wayne; and
though badly wounded, so successful was he in the conduct of the movement, that he soon gained the western side of the river Des Loups,
and rapidly made his " way along the northern bank of the St. Lawrence, to the village of Berthier," gaining the American camp at the
mouth of the river Sorel in safety.
Late in June, General Sullivan began to perceive, from. the movements of the British, that his position was no longer a safe one; and immediately issued an order for the evacuation of the fort of the Sorel, and
a retreat upon Lake Champlain.
In this movement Wayne and the Pennsylvania regiments were directed to cover the rear. So close was the enemy, in this move, "that
the boats latest getting into motion were not beyond the reach of musket
shot, when the head of the enemy's coltumn entered the fort." Without further molestation or alarm, the army, on the 17th of July, succeeded in
reaching Ticonderoga.
eSt. Clair's narrative.




XII.                 HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
Thus we see, in the very out-set of the struggle for Independence, how
our hero, step by step, made himself most serviceable to his country and,
laid the foundation for lasting renown.
The command of the northern troops, now devolving upon Gen. Gates,
who, learning of the perilous condition of Washington, " with eight regiments," marched "t to the aid of the Commander-in-chief," leaving the
post of Ticonderoga in the command of Col. Wayne, with a force of two
thousand five hundred men —an arrangement that not only proved most
pleasing to the troops under him, but highly agreeable to Congress, which
body, in order the better to encourage and sustain the appointment, soon
conferred upon Wayne the title of Brigadier-General, continuing him in
command of Ticonderoga until the following spring, at which period he
was called to the ranks of the main army under Gen. Washington, reaching headquarters on the 15th of May, 1777, where he was at once placed
at the head of a brigade "which," said Washington," could not fail under
his direction to be soon and greatly distinguished."
We now find Wayne connected with nearly every important movement
of the Revolution; and though, as on occasions already referred to, closely
pursued or surrounded, he yet, sooner or later, was ever the successful
leader or actor in every engagement.
After the retreat of the British from Philadelphia, in June, 1777, we
find the corps under Wayne, with those of Sullivan, Maxwell, and Morgan,
sent in pursuit, of which, two alone (Wayne's and Morgan's) were enabled
to follow up the retreat, of whom Washington, in his report to Congress,
said: " They displayed great bravery and good conduct; constantly advancing on an enemy far superior to themselves in numbers, and well secured by redoubts."
At the battle of Brandywine " Wayne was assigned the post of honor,
that of leading the American attack; a service he performed with a gallantry now become habitual to himself and the division he commanded."*
At the famous engagement of Stoney Point, Wayne's own escapes are
stated as " of the hair-breadth kind."t Shortly after capturing and
entering the fortification of the enemy, he was struck by a musket-ball on
the head, which caused his fall; but he immediately rallied, crying out,
"march on, carry me into the fort; for should the wound be mortal, Iwill
die at the head of the column."
This engagement, considered" the most brilliant of the war," is said to
have "covered the commanding general (Wayne) with laurels;" of whom
Washingtbn, referring to this occasion, said in his report to Congress:'To the encoumiums he (Wayne) has deservedly bestowed on the officers
and men under his command, it gives me pleasure to add that his own
conduct thioughput the whole of this arduous enterprise merits the warmest approbation of Congress. He improved on the plan recommended by
me, and executed it in a manner that does honor to his judgement and
bravery; " and Congress tendered him a vote of thanks for his valiant
efforts on the occasion in question. In addition to these, Wayne was the
recipient also of many complimentary letters from men of distinction at
the time, one of which, from Gen. Charles Lee, will serve as illustrative,
-'Sparks' Biography, vol. 4.
tSo intrepid and daring was he, that early in the campaign of the Revolution he received the appellation of MAD ANTHONY, and ever afterward retained the title, by which
he is still familiarly known and called.




BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE.              XIII
perhaps, of their general tenor. Said Mr. Lee:  what I am going to say
you will not I hope consider as paying my court in this your hour of
glory; for, as it is at least my present intention to leave this continent, I
can have no interest in paying my court to any individual. What I shall
say therefore is dictated by the genuine feelings of my heart. I do most
sincerely declare that your assault of Stony Point is not bnly the most
brilliant in my opinion, throughout the whole course of the war on either
side, but that it is the most brilliant I am acquainted with in history; the
assault of Schweidnitz by Marshal Loudon, I think inferior to it. I wish
you, therefore, most sincerely, joy of the laurels you have deservedly
acquired, and that you may long live to wear them. With respect and no
small admiration, I remain, &c."
If a mutinous spirit arose among the troops at any time there were
none better able to quell it than Wayne. Universally beloved and admired
by all the privates under him, he readily exerted a salutary influence over
them.  This power of Wayne was strikingly illustrated during the
fore part of January, 1781, soon after the distribution of the army for
winter quarters. Shortly after the ordinary festivies of the day, "the
whole division, with a few exceptions, was found in a state of open and
decided insurrection, disclaiming all further obedience, and boldly avowing
an intention of immediately abandoning the post, and of seeking, with
arms in their hands, a redress oftheir grievances."*  The affair proved a
serious one. Every attempt to quell the movement seemed to have been
met by blows-" wounds were inflicted and lives lost."  The grievances
complained of, were "clothing generally bad in quality, and always deficient in quantity; wages irregularly paid, and in a currency far below
its nominal value; and, lastly, service greatly prolonged beyond the legal
term of enlistment."
The conflict closed about half-past eleven o'clock; and being no longer
obstructed, the insurgents began a march toward Princeton; and Wayne,
then stationed in the neighborhood of Morristown, at some risk, determined to follow them and endeavor to bring them again to order. In a conciliatory and dignified manner, overtaking the main body at Vealtown,
he at once began to open negotiations with some of the non-commissioned
officers in whom he placed most confidence; and it was not long before
he succeeded in convincing them that, in order to succeed in their demands,
a change in their course and demeanor would be of the first necessity-that
without such a course of order on the part of the agrieved, nothing whatever could be effected-urging the necessity of organizing a board or appointing a committee among them to set forth the grievances, and by "a
full and clear statement of their demands "-pledging himself to become
a zealous advocate in their behalf, in "so far as the claims made should
be founded in justice or equity."
These suggestions had the desired effect; the committee was duly appointed, and the march towards Princeton was again begun, butin a manner much more orderly than before.
Such was the power and force of character of the good man and valiant
soldier after whom our thriving city is named; and may it ever emulate
his example.
As early as 1777-8, the British government having determined to direct
*Hazard's," Register of Pennsylvania."




XIV.                 HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
some formidable operations against the industrial relations of the South,
in the early part of April, 1781, Washington despatched Lafayette, " with
twelve hundred regular infantry to Virginia; and not long after, gave to
the remains of the Pennsylvania line (about eleven hundred, commanded
by Wayne,)a similar destination." We find Gen.Wayne engaging the British at Green Spring, driving the enemy's pickets, and advancing in person
to within some   fifty yards of the whole British army drawn up in order of
battle, and already pushing forward flank-corps to envelope him."  Determining to make up in boldness what he seemed to have lost or was about
to lose in a too near approach to the enemy's lines, he made a bold and sudden move upon the enemy, and then retreated, which gave the British commandant to infer that it was an effort to draw his forces into ambush,
which made so decided an impression in this direction, " that all pursuit
of the American corps was forbidden."
By some this movement was deemed rash; but Washington, in a letter to
the General, said: " I received, with the greatest pleasure, the account of the
action at Green Spring." Gen. Greene said: " the Marquis gives you great
glory for your conduct in the action at Jamestown; and I am sensible that
you merit it. 0 that I had but had you with me a few days ago I Your
glory and the public good might have been greatly advanced."
On the first day of January following this movement, by order of Gen.
Greene, Gen. Wayne was sent " to reinstate, as far as might be possible,
the authority of the Union within the limits of Georgia, with one hundred
regular dragoons, three hundred undisciplined Georgia militia,and about the
same number of State cavalry."
Though greatly inadequate to the end desired, yet Wayne is said to
have uttered no complaint or objection, but resolutely moved forward on
his mission, bringing to bear his usual boldness and wisdom, sufficient, with
this small force, to push " the enemy from all his interior posts," and to
" cut off Indian detachments marching to his aid; " intercepted the forays
of the enemy's main body, and onthe land side, penned him up, in a great
degree, within the narrow limits of the town of Savannah; and allin the
short space of five weeks."
In a letter to Gen. Greene, bearing date Feb. 28, 1782, Wayne said:
"The duty we have done in Georgia was more difficult than that imposed upon the children of Isreal; they had only to make bricks with
straw, but we have had provision, forage, and almost every other aparatus
of war, to procure without money; boats, bridges, &c., to build without
material,except those taken from the stump; and, what was more difficult
than all, to make whigs out of tories. But this we have effected, and
wrested the country out of the hands of the enemy, with the exception
only of the town of Savannah. How to keep it without some additional
force, is a matter worthy of consideration."*
The British troops having evacuated Savannah about the 12th of July,
Wayne, by order of General Greene, with the troops under his command, was
recalled to South Carolina. In the letter, addressed to General Wayne, recalling him from Georgia, Greene thus wrote: "I am happy at the approaching deliverance of that unfortunate country; and what adds to my happiness,
-In a letter to a friend the General said: " In the five weeks we have been here, not
an officer or soldier with me has once undressed, except for the purpose of changing his
linen. The actual force of the enemy at this moment is more than three times that of
mine. What we have been able to do has been done by maneuve ng rather than by force."




BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE.                XSV
is, that it will reflect no small honor upon you. I wish you to be' persuaded,
that I shall do you ample justice in my public accounts to Congress and the
Commander-in-chief. I think you have conducted your command with great
prudence and with astonishing perseverance; and, in so doing, you have fully
answered the high expectations I ever entertained of your military abilities,
from our earliest acquaintance."
Soon after the evacuation of Savannah, Charleston was given up by the
British, which, after a treaty of peace, and an absence of seven years from his
family, Wayne again returned to his homestead in Chester county, Pennsylvania, truly one of the most remarkable meen of his day, crowned, as he well
deserved, with the blessings of a whole nation of free men, and noble women.
But his well known abilities, and the high esteem in which he was held by
his fellow-citizens, soon brought him before the public again, but in another
capacity from that of a-soldier. He was now elected a member of the Council of Censors; and soon after this event he was honered with a seat in the
Convention " called to revise and amend the Constitution of the State;" in the
discharge of which duties he acquitted himself with marked ability, and
much to the satisfaction of the people.
*At the close of these duties, declining any further services of a civil or political nature, prefering to lead a life of retirement rather than one of public
distinction of any kind; and thus, principally employed in the pursuits of agriculture, was his time passed until, by the wish of Washington and the
voice of the people, in the early part of 1792; Wayne was again called to the
service of his country, and " appointed to the command of the legion and
army of the West,"' the result of causes which the reader will find detailed in
Chapters X, XI, and XII, of this volume.
At the close of his labors in the west, returning to the east, " plaudits and
thanks, public and private," were showered upon him; and "Congress,
then in session, unanimously adopted resolutions highly complimentary to
the General and the whole army."
The year following the treaty of Greenville, (1796), being appointed sole
commissioner to treat with the northwestern Indians, and also " receiver of
the military posts given up by the British government, General Wayne again
returned to the west; and, alter a prompt arnd faithful discharge of the duties
attached to these new functions, while descending Lake Erie from Detroit, he
was attacked by the gout," where he soon after died; and, at his own request, (having previously been removed to the block-house) he was buried
at the foot of the flag-staff of the garrison, with the simple inscription of " A.
Wa." upon the stone that served to remind the inmates and the stranger of the
burial place of the patriot, the hero, the soldier, and the man of true courage
and remarkable foresight, ANTHONY WAYNE.
For thirteen years the remains of Wayne continued to repose beneath this
simple head-stone, at the foot of the old flag-staff of Erie, when, in 1 809, his
son, Col. Isaac Wayne, desiring to remove the bones of his valiant father to
the family burial place, in the cemetery of St. David's Church, in Chester
county, Pennsylvania, the body was disinterred, still in a fine state of preservation, and removed as above, where a monument was raised to his memory
by the " Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati," on which the visitant
may still read on the north and south front thereof, the following inscription;
"NORTH FRONT:-Major-general ANTHONY WAYNE was born at Waynesborough, in Chester county, State of Pennsylvania, A. D., 1745. After a life
of honor and usefulness, he died in December, 1796, at a military post on the




XVI.                 HISTOEY OF FORT WAYNE.
shore of Lake Erie, Commander-in-chief of the Army of the United States.
His military achievements are consecrated in the history of his country, and
in the hearts of his countrymen. His remains are here deposited.
"SOUTH FRONT:-In honor of the distinguished military services of MAJORGENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE, and as an affectionate tribute of respect to his
memory, this stone was erected by his companions in arms, the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati, July 4th, A. D., 1809, thirty-fourth anniversary of the Independence of the United States; an event which constitutes
the most appropriate eulogium of an American soldier and patriot."
The accompanying portrait of General Wayne is from an old painting of
him, and is doubtless very accurate, and will no doubt be highly prized by
every citizen of Fort Wayne and lover of his country into whose hands it
should chance to fall.
Why a monument has not long ago been erected, on the site of the old
fort, to the memory of this heroic and worthy man, including also Major
Hamtramck, and the valiant soldiery under their command, I know not; but
feel that, though so long forgotten or neglected, the work will yet be performed by the people of the city of Fort Wayne and county of Allen; thus
enabling the stranger visiting the historic scenes of our city and adjacent localities to behold, instead of the old garrison,-whose only remains among us
consists in a few plainly-wrought canes, in the possession of a few of our citizens, preserved as mementoes of the fort so long over-looking the confluence
of the St. Mary and St. Joseph,-a substantial and appropriate monument
to the memory of ANTHONY WAYNE and the brave men who dared to follow
him to this ancient stronghold, that the then infant and enfeebled settlements
of the west might enjoy peace and safety, and our beautiful country be enabled to march steadily on, as she has, to her present condition of growth and
prosperity.








7"   2w~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-an L   i7~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.......... KG~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!Russell,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
RIK-l~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ h(ht ioe (b(ntg I




i t  1i2  b      U }    JW    _ V1ret. IE     1
SI'FEon the Earliest Klnown Ac outtk  or this Point to t he Pieeat sei i{ i
" I wratlch tlhe cicle of the eternal years,
And'read forever ini thc storied ]page
One lenegthened roll of blood and wrong an d tearsOne'onward step of. Truth from age to age."
"The eternal surge
Of Time and tide rolls on, and bears afar
O'ar bubbles; and the old btirst-new emerge,
Ltashed from the foam of ages; while the graves
Of empires heave but like some passing waves."
CHAPTER      I.- PRELIMIN-A.tY.
)riiniTive traces-Situation, general appearance of t?.e City, and qouanlity of the Soil in
lthe re'ion-The" elorious gate"-Its early advantages both to the I ndiaaiis and.
o'h4. Whites-The Key to the Northwest-Early oceupaI.tion bythe Frenci, Englis,,
alnd Americanis-For; centuries doubtless the home of the t~.ed 1an -Its prominence and early discovery by the French-The best ronte to the Mississiuilppi — r-'ii.:t
Settlement at Vincenne-This poiint evidently visited before Vi iicenneP-::;!,
Salle's journeyv afoot-His journ'al to FIrontenae- Be30t rout e —'A ubrys exbc.dit!'i
-Early settlerments —AJppearance in 1794- Enol1sh and Frec111 ettlin.!;tS
~arly minssioinaries -Eorts of the,lenh —.L-  Slleli;s -vovyge-7eir yrO lhrn.e —
Frnelch trading p)osts-First Mission-amongo the,miliie -Thei.r te'isto- dis.
liberality H-ennepin —-The: nissionanies aind h.ia.:Biar-i; ine' semoest^" e-_
Illinois Indians-Feuds of the Iroqt., isnil.an i,rmi~ and t.i.is 1es: -..te"s.-.1
sq;aws-wn-K skasksa- -Tira  lld dtief, e 4.i —nE.  fTi'yZ;:- -.etri V ~-c  *  d Ouni't'. nons —French militia arrive l6e u-chen c rli t::wpt dn gs-d-1
fort —T'aced by Wasyre in i7. — Dk io'i;:-"-oi5 d~ ni-i,The&  m e ene....
0; WRITE o''.:.;mivWt "s1f             p   *,'to preserve t-he historic records' o.
edO'tD a  o     itt the o-O —ie a".1 1 wt,u  of  Iy ta ime  to
t:sdl..t      u t-  -again the memories and relatmns o, early l,;'.' sh blood and carna oe had ltmarked the ied nc t-prints' of the periods                  r  redney  s, aid ma1o
tIo rivers and rivulets to run crimso.'i with tle blood ot -.nc sai-.  i)i. t-o perfor' a, conmo n, (bit.ti, a.t, common ]nmanii t I




G              Hj ~TiI'STORY OF POiT  tXAi:NI
The primitive traces and early'evidences of bnarlJaric and civilized life in this part of the State of Indiana are e. many and various; 
tmd the present site of the City of Fort ~Wayne, with contiruous
loe.alities, is fully and fairly c-titiledl to IISTTOnIC GIOUND!
Situated upon a poinit of land, the most elevated in'the State,
Fort Wayne is very appr1opliately called t11he SUMMIT CITY. Ti Le,,eneral i''face of the country surrounding is rolling' and somewhat
-ntleven, with here and there a considerable promontory, overlookin;g,lie beanutifltu streams and valleys in the region. WWith stronO,
impreg'nations of iron -nd sul)hur, -the soil is variously Composed.
of the most valuahl.e elemelts~ adm-irably adapted both for farming.aid builcding purposes -conrsistino of the loamy, sandy, clayey
tialities. Embodying muclh iof the ifsmanti atnd picturescque:it
iiatu., the surrolundin, aspects and sceney of the place never fail
to:a-avtken the.liveliest adn:iration an( curiosity of the stranger?,
whitle the general appearance of the (ity, itself, at the present period, with its numerous iruit and shade trees, handsome dwellings:ed vards-beautiffl;shrubbery, apnd well cultivated gardens, in
sea'ons of verdurei and llowers, is ever  onf'. excee(ding pleasanti Iess ndl beauty, alike to the,ab.ta,n acnd the momentary sojourner.
From. a very early period, with the Indians, it was a " glorious
gate:  throulh which all the good words of" their " chief's had to
pass fronm the north to the south, and fiom the east to the west. "
At a later period in the history of events in America-in the struglele between barbarisnmi and civilization- it became' at once the
pivotal point. upon Which the mo st important relations of the
(olintry turned, both for the advancing civilization of the time and
the barbaric force against. which it had to contend-THE KEY1 IN
1'AC:TO- TO TrLE G-.PIEAT TOiRTIHWEST!
I3Early occupied as a military point of great i. portance, alike to
the French, the Enrgoisbh. anjd or ou wn Government, ea.che in turn,
establisbin; and mimntaining a military post hr-e, as a  mreans by
wxhich to attain and exercise an extended control over the destinies
1and resources of the new world, h questions of infinite reach, involvi   dominion riatce lainga ue o', lawx and religion, have hung tiupol
>i;6m petty display of milnitary pow(er at the jicltion of these rivers.'
JI'4 the red man had li ec] do ubtless, ifor centuries before t3hl:
ittst ciiillrz4 -,et'tlemenrt in Americl.a had begun, —his squaws culti-.vt:ingi the nma'ilad perform.linmg the common hardships of.life,'vhile lie hulted the bMvi:14o.nd wild game of the, frest,md plairie 4' Little Turtle.         -. Jtsse L. Willi ams, Esq.
-Ts Judage La1w, int Iis inte];es"ti.JAl.a, "The Colonial E.istori of lieennes.,"
rc 1d.) page lll, say  t; is.  sin rgular faut, yet,  "sw. les  t   t h t t te Waba.sh  was
~.o.i.'   a'rind navigatea(d by tl'e whites lonit' beftore the (li,  w   s Iknowln to exist.  Indeed;il lie min.ps-, d I hive sen1 tWo htefr tl  e tyear 17.0 —-., the Ohio at its eon tlu(0.  it  the  issi ssplti.,  O  tab, E0,5 I  I' lThe reason is obvious, w;Len one  reflect-. Ior mr
uingle inutant, that thl  wil!ole 0 o1 rse o' 1travel to the Mississippi was ei;her by  the Illi.-,iS ov the Waaba.s h. T he (,niT c(m1nlhiuatijn with the Mississip)i wA.s ~:W11E tFl'nrC
lI trle ltftev bat o( the tt'th e'-lnd early in the 18th oenttlury, and  wvas from  the Lakes,;h    t prie.st ad t! e.oldier   e. the',,l t. ravelers.  They.ascended the Matumee, cress-' t 1 Pr'e.(i (1. S!t deos-dr. tl  Wab-si.bs to this Post.'




T:;is oI;OIiN' Vrsr'r -:ITE'-  Z'i' E V'iCNN-f.  i,
speared the fish in the beautiful streams glidinfg by; leisurely bas;ed in the sunshine; devoted himself to plays and gailles; luddled about the wigwam and the camp-tire; or went forth to securei
the trophies and honors of war.
Being situated at the head and terminus -of two considerable strealms,
(the St, Joseph anid Mlaumee), the one flowing friom the roemion of:
Lake Miichigan and the other into Lake Erie direct fromi and into
points near to and flrom  which the early voyacgez8rs, ni;siontaries,
and tra'ders sought so earnestly to extend tleir efforts and discoveries-toogether with the faet at. an early period, of a strongl relationship  and doubtless felquent intercourse betweenl the tribes
l.ong those lakes andt the Miamies of this part of their extended
territory,-it is not probable that this point could have long escaped
their attention. And, as vwill be seen in subsequent pages, there
exists the strongest evidence that the early French missionaries,
explorers and traders, fro-m Canada, had visited the junction of these
rivers as early as 1680 to 1682-'3 —and the probability is very
strong that they were here at a much earlier period.
Judge Law, in his able Address, concerning the first settlement
of Vincennes by the French, concludes it to have been about the
year 1710 or 1711'; and thinks it most probable in the first of the
two years mentioned, "inansmuch," says he, "as tlhe Fort must have
been built and garrisoned before an application was made for a
missionary."  Now, the advantages of navigation, the nearness of
this point to the Lakes, the extensive openings of this regiont andt
the famp it seems to have so long enjoyed as a "glorious gate," give
to it a claim priori to that of the establishment of a Post and ilission.
at Vincennes. And it is not improbable, that a temporary mission
wai, established here before or soon after the eventful year of 1iS2.
In the early part of 1680, LaSalle having penetrated the west to
a point, which is now known as Peorlia, tll1. where hie built a fort,
which he called (revelnCczur' (Broken Heart,) because of hii fornmer
misfortunes and'soon finding hirmself without supplies and necessary materials for the completion of a vessel he hadc then begun at
the foot of Lake Peoria, in the month of Maareh, of that year, determining upon a plan to hasten the needed supplies, with but three
attendarits, he set out a-foot towards Lake Erie,'"following along the
Wvater-shed, or divide, wihich s'eperates the strea'ms that flow' into
the Ohio river from those which flow into Lale 2Erie," and reached
*The'Maseou'tens, says Gallatin, dwlieng,about LIake Michiigan were a branch of
the liamies.
i-The following, from the "daily journal of Wayne's campaign," will show the appearance of this point, on the n.itival of the armn hlere, in 1794:
"CAIP M'IAMIfr ViLLATIS-\ES, 17r:T SPTEPMBER, 1794.-The'army halted on this lound
aIt 5 o'clock, p. m., being 47 miles from Fort Defiance and 14 from our lasi encl- ampent-;lhere are nearly 500 acres of cleared land lying in one body on the rivers St.. Joseph,'
St. Maiy's and the M[iami; there are fine points of land eontiguous to those rivers a'idJoining t.he celeared land. The rivers are navigable for small crafts in the slummer, and
in the winter there is watert suffilienit for large boats, the land a-djacent fertile and weil 
thibered, and froml every apipeiaralcte it iaes ebeen  one of lt he la r1est set;ltlements made y''ti,'ndi'.i   in tlS'isT Ce'nlt.ry.l




4:-              [II^:vi't"0j.Y<' os.~sTo-riEY 0-F{ T  WAY A.
his destination in safety; * which makes it q'uite evident) togethler
with the fact of his having spent the Antumn of 1679 in the erection
oI a fort at the mouth of the St. Joseph's river, sounding the channel of that stream, and establihsing there' a depot for supplies
and goods," that he was by no means unacquainted, at an early
period of his efforts, with this region of the north-wes-t.
The reputed rival as well as co-laborer of La Salle, Louis IHennepin, a Franciscan friari of the Recollect variety, and said to have
been l vry ambitious as a discoverer, as also daring, hardy, enerI
getic, with othier peculiarities closely allied thereto, as early as
1.663 —4 spcaks of the "HIohio,S and of' a route from the Lakes
(northern) to the Misssisippi by the VTabash, the account of whichl
le had heard, and whic:h was explored in 1676. In Hennepins
Avolume of 1698, is a journal, says the best accoutnts, said to be that
s;ent by La Salle to Count Frontenarc, in 1 682 or 1683, which. mentions the route by the Ja.;?('ee Cand.cWal, ftrbashe as the?,ost direct to
the -/T'eat vestern rivere (Mississippi )-  which mankes it quite eviient tht tlhis region was not only eirly visited, but that the route leadinto thron-gh this immediate vicinity, was often very early traversed
by explorers, missionaries and fur-traders. And, in view of the
navigable streams concentrating at this point;. the vast amount of
fur that must annually have been accummulated here; the
gjreat number of Indians dwelling at this locality, and in the region,
-thl-t these adventurous and zealous spir its should have early
selected this as a favorable and most advantageous site, not onlr
ior the prosecution of the labors of the missionaiy and the accumulation of fur by the trader, but for the early establishment of
aI muilitary post, seems most reasonable indeed, and requires but
little conjecture to arrive at a somewhat definite conclusion as to
the truthfulness of the question considered.
Not only did the earliest of the Frenchl voycageurs and explorers
consider this the most direct route to the great western river, Mississippi, but those of a later period seem to have universally regarded
the route by the MIiami or Omee villages, at this point, as the best.
Sas ys J.. Dawson, Esq., in his researches: "By reference to early
itistory, we find that, in 1716Q among the routes of travel established
by the French, was one fiom the head of Lake Erie, (now M'anlat-ani or its mlore successful rivals Toledo,) up the 2M:aumee river to
the site of Fort Wayne, thence by portage to the head of Little
Ilivelr across the marsh now crossed by the Toledo, Wabash and
Weetern raiiroad thence by Little River to the Wabash, about nine
miles below Huntington; thence down I he Wabash to the Ohio; and'thence to the Mlississippi."  And as late as 1759 the same route is:'avcred. Srayd s the same researches: 6" T'e next interesting referelnce
t:o  ]iFort Wa yne, i  17t 5)9, and advises us of a most distingluished
expedition litted out  M- d' liA.ub, conmandant at Illinois. The
-i' Western Annals," pnges l62 an'  l  )3.
~ " States zand  T'crritor'iek   oflal.( l Gr t, ~re st,." pa.'cs G(;  ar: 1i9.




BJmEST EOUTE TO THE MiSSISS I'Pi.            5
iFrench having ethausted their supplies in Pennsylvania,,and unable
to withstand the British, it was conceived by M. d'Aubry to reinforce his brethern. Accordingly, a levey of 400 men, and 200,000
lbs. of flour was raised at Kaskaskia,* and started from there to
Venango, Pa. Ft. Du Quesne (Pittsburgh,) was abandoned, and
hence the reinforcement could not go thence by the Ohio river.,
So he proceeded with his force down to the Mlississippi; thence
down that river to the mouth of the )Ohio; then up the Ohio to the
mouth of   Tabash; then up the XWTabaslh to the miouth of Little
Iiver; then up that scream too the portage; and then,to Ft. iMiam:i,
(Ft. Wayne%) where they embarked stores and all on the Mlaumee;
th:en down the Maumee and along the shore of Lake Erie to Presnue'Isle; then across the portage to Le Boeuff; then down French
CJreek, to Venango, Pa."9
From the founding, by the French, of the city of Quebec, in
Canad.a, in 1608, to 1763, for a period of more than one hundr'ed,ad iity years, the governments of France and Great Britalin,
(the latter having begun a settlement ait Jamestown, in Virginia, as
early as 1607,) wtere mo.st energ'etic eand resolute rivals in many
civil, military, and often sanguinalry contests as to territorial limits
colonel. establlishments, and the general trade and commerce of the
new world of North Anmerica.t
In 163 34 the mi.issionaries, Breboeuf and >aniel, joining a party
of Hurons, on their returan from Quebec, after crossnilg the' Ottow-nl
river, established- a mmission near a bay of Lake I-uron, where they
are said. daily to have rango a bell, calling the natives of the reoiol
to prayer, and who also 6 performed all those kindly. offices vwhich
were calculated to secure the confidelnce and affection of the tribes
on the Lake shor'es. 
As early as 1670, G-eat Britain had established, at different
points, between the 32d and 45th degrees of north ]atitude, a.
mahy as nine colonial settele.ents in America; and it was n ot intit
about eighty years later that the Engclishl beglan to make any effort
towards a settlement west of the A!legmeny mountains.
in 1670, the French colonists i.n Anmerica had persevered in the
extension of their settlements to the westaward from Quebec, on the
shores of the St. Lawrence, and the borders of lakes Ontario and
Erie; and their missionaries and traders had succeeded in exploring' the boidering regions of the northern lakes., to the west, as far as
Lake Stperior; and stationsl, with a view to the Christianizatioi n of
the Indians, were established at several points, among a number of
Indian tribes. To give protection.nd imi)petus to the fur tralde,
then cominlg to be very extensive in:its operations, a number of.'lThat this point wvas visited before the establish men.t of settleeenl.is at Kaskaskla.1and Kahokia, or other -points westward, seenms to be tgenerally admiitted by all the mlost
authenic historical researches that the wri'ter has lhad occalsion to refer to.;iFor a mo'e extendMed srnmmary of these ei.aly periods, see Ban, roft's Historl0y of IU.
S., Dillon's HistoWr of Indiana, Parkmnasll Consiraecy of oantiac, Sparks'1; Life of La
Salle, Vol. 1, new series, do. Life of Malrq  er-lfe, &E.




IliSTrolY OF.1o.rT WAYKNE.
stoceade f orts, and trading posts were also erected at various points
best suited for such establishments.
A little minutia as to the eflbrts, trials, anld disappointments of
theese primitive missionaries and others, in connection with other
poiits, will here be of interest to the reader, and tend to open a
more extended view of the relations that surrounded, and, at an
early period; evidently influenced, the destiny of the present situaioln and historic importance of the City of Fort Wayne.
At the period I now refer, Charles II. was King of England,
andl Louis XIV,-purported to have been a most ambitious man,was monarch of the French. A statesman of considerable ability,
of thle.iiame of Colbert, was minister of Finances to the latter,, who
is said to have inspirited the colonists of Canada with an arduous
w.ish to widen their domain, as well as to increase the power of the
Fi ench monarch. Thus animated and impelled, with the hope of
elnjoyinng the advantages and means of Christian civilization thought
necessary to be exerted over the various Indian tribes of the west, at
tlihat early period, the civil and religious authorities' of Canada were
constrained "to engage earnestly in the support of the policy o'f increasing the nnmber and strength of the forts, trading-posts and
missionary stations in the vast regions lying on the borders of the
rivers and lakes between Quebec and the head of Lake Superior."
At this early period, the French civil and ecclesiastical authori.
ties of Canada, having given considerable life to renewed adtion
a:nlong the missionaries, "in the course of the years 1670, 1671 aind
1:672, says Dillon, in his researches, " the missionaries, Claude Allouez and Claude Dablon, explored the easternpnrt of Wisconsin,
the north-eastern portion of Illinois, and, probably visited that part
of Indiana which lies north of the river Kankakee. In the followingl year, A. Joliet, an agent of the French colonial Government,
and James MIarquette, a good and simple-hearted mlissionary; who
hatd his station at Mackinaw, explored the country lying about the
shores of Green Bay, and on the borders of Fox River, and the river
Wisconsin, as far westward as the river Mississippi, the banks of
which they reached on the 17th day June 1672." In the following
month, on the 17th many obstacles presenting themselves,' they set
o)ut on their return to Canada, by way of the Illinois river, and
arri-vecd at Green Bay, an outlet of Lake Michigan, in the latter
p)art of the month of September, a distance of some 2.500' miles,A\t a village of the Illinois Indians; it is related, they were feasted
in a most friendly and hospitable mannerl upon the choicest food of
the tribe- consisting of roast buffalo, fish, hominy and dog meat.:But the curiosity and desires of the French colonists in Canada,
did not cease with the return of the missionaries. In the early part
(o 1 682, IR:obert Cavalier de LaSalle, with a small exploring party,.made his way to the Illinois, and passed down that stream to the
iNssissiippi, thence continuing his voya.ge,-with short stoppages
here a.nid Itheree at the prescenltati.ion of the friendly calu.met or attac'k




,ANCIENT ITE'ER TOr''   OF THE MIAMIES.               Y
from the shore by unfriendly Indians, etc. —to the Gulf of Mexico,
where, on the 9th of April, 1682, they eected a column and cross,,
attaching thereto the arms of France, with the following iniscription:
"L0ouis the" Great f.ing of.franco,  alnd  avarre, ezgns — tAe 9th
of April, 1682.' All being under arms, after chaningf the Te,
D)eumI, they fired their muskets in honor of the event, and made the
air to reverberate -ith the shouts of "Long live the King!" at- once
takilg formal possession of the entire country, to which they gave
the hame of iou'isiacneI in honor of their King.
Soon after this event, La Salle anld his party returned to Cana da:
whither he soon after went to France,'where he    was received withl
nluch favor by the Kivng, and the account of his and-those of Joliet
land Marquette's discoveries were made knowni. And thus it was
that Louis the 14th of France at once laid claim to the whole of
the soil lying between Canada and New Mexico,:      disregoarding' all
prior or subseqCuent claims set up by Saii,'by Spreason, of thle' discoveries of Juan Ponce de Leon, in 1.512,' and I-ernaiido de Sot(,
during the years 1538 and 154;2.
Not long subsequent to the discovery of tlhe nmouth of the Mis-;issippi, the French government; began to encourage the establishment of' a line of trading posts and missionary stations in' the
country west %f the Allegheny mountains, froml- Canada to the Gulf'
of Mexico, which policy they seem to have sustlained with modlerate success during a period of some seventy-five years.          Te.greater part of tis long period of time, a few missionaries'pursued
their labors, but with no lasting or general beneficial results, in so:
Jar, at least, as their efforts related to the Indians of the west.
In 1679, the same day thatl La Salle completed the erection of a.
fort at its mouth, th]e river St. Joseph, of Lake aMichigan, received
the name of'O the River Miamlies, from. tlhe Indians of that narme;
and it was on the banks of this river that the principal statiorn lor
tihe instruction of the IMiamies was founded, a.bout h;tlt period;
after which it was called " tlhe St. Joseph, of Lake MIiehigaln.:
Hennepin thus gave the account of the erection of ttle lirst.
French post within the territoryt of the Miaisies' in 1679:
-iAfterwards, for many years, called NErw FPrANCc.
+Little Turtle, the distinguished chief of the Miamies, wo lived clre'foi, many'lly va'
iwith his tribe, and died here in 1812,'at the famnous treaty of Greenville, (0.), 1795,
thus, in part, addressed General Wayne regarding, the territory of his peop)le: " Yon
1iaTe pointed out to us the boundariy line between the Indians and the United States;
lint I now take'the libert to inform you that that line cuts off froml the Ir'nd1ianls a ila I,portion of country walich'd has been eljoioed by nly folreftchers fromii time inllemoria,
wTit;l1hot rl( lestation ri dispute. The pii it of my ancestots houses Iar evervy vhcre toi
be sc i in thi is portio.              It is wLt       l kiio   l:11 wfiv brother.s
present, that i1y fqrealtlher Liindlled the first fire at Detroit tfron thence lie heexteoidee Is
lines to the lieaiidwaters of Sciot;o; from. thence to its mouth; flrom thcence to Chicago,
oni Lake Michigan." From the earliest period w e have of theml, thle Miarnies 1l.a.ve
beeln a leading and rmost po-wesrful t;rbe.
"iWhlcn the M:ianis were first invited eb the Frenct alutorities at (Cilicago, il
1670," says Mr. C'rlas. B. Lasse.lein one of his intterestiing sketclhes, relating';o hi1^, earclv
historv of Fort'isayne, "they were ra very p)owerfutl Indian niiatiol. A tbody f the,}m.ssembled near that place for war against tlie powerful Iroquis, (Five Natio;s), of ithe
Hudson, and the still more pows' cful S.ioux, ot thlf UTJICp.i Missip!i, consi.s..ted of at




1 SOTUiOirY  O iFORT WAYN;lI.
" Just at the mouth of the river Miamis there was an eminence,
with a kind of platform naturally fortified.  It;'was pretty high and
steep, of a triangular form   defended on two sides by the river,
and on the other by a deep ditch, which the fall of the water B.ad
rmade. We felled the; trees that were on the top of the hill, and
lhaving cleared the sanme rom bushes for about two musket shot,
we began to build a redoubt of eiglty feet long, and forty teet
broad, with great square pieces of timber, laid one upon another;
and preparled a great number of stake's, of about twenty-five feet
long, to drive into the ground to make our fort the more inaccessible on the river side.  We employed the whole month of November
(1t'17;6) about that work, which was very hard, though we had no
othier food but the bear's flesh our savage killed.  These beasts are
very common in that place, because of the great quantity of grapes
hat a-,bound there; but their flesh being too fat and luscious,, our
lmen beguan to be weary of it, and desired leave to go a hunting:rad kill some wild goats. M. La Salle denied them    that liberty,
I-i cll c.aused some murmiurs almong them; and it was but unwitlinlly thiat they continued the work. This, together with the approach of the,winter, and the apprehension that MI. La Salle had
thaltt his vessel (the Griffin) was lost, made him  very melancholy,
tliough he concealed it as much as he could. We made a cabin
wvherein we performed divine service every Sunday; and father
(-ilabriel and I, who preached alternately, took care to take such
texts as were suitable to our present circumstances, and fit to inspire
es with courage, concord and brotherly love.          *'     This.
ibrt was at last l)prf;ected, and called Fort Miamis.'
lThis same mlission'ary, Hennepin, in 1680, visiting some of the
I]ndiIran -llagetns on the Illihnois river, speaks thus of the peeUnli'ar
ideas and manners of the savages he rmet there at that early period;
Ih.ici1 m1ust give the reader to infer that, though the natives of the:'t'est, in theiur,z'2iM, 6 f c state, had but a poor sense of th.e Christi-:ntitty t'aultl; bMy the missionaries of the time, thley yet possessed a
in'S1ular ir'ntelligence reganding life and the religious fiature of man;
lanrd were, rwith ll strangely liberal in their views acnd actions toward.
lenst1 thr ee thousaInd, and were under the head of a chieftain who never sallied forth
Iut wrih a. body- curard of forty warriors. He could atauny t;ime lead into the field ain:;l'my of five thousand- men." Of all their villages," says le, "Ke-ki-ong-a was considered by the iMiruins the'most important, as it; was -thle Ilargest al;d -nost central of all
their possessions —being situated near the hlead waters of tlhe Wabash, the Miami,
(Mtaumec), and the St. Joselph ofLake Michigan." Stays Bancroft: "The, lMiamis was
the most powerfitl confederacy of the west, excelling the Six Nations, (Iroquois.)
-:,,' z-' 4'Their influence reached to the Mississippi, and they receivedI
flrequent -visits'from tribes beyond that river." As tie mlessenger of St. Clair, A.nt.oi ie &Gamlelin, in tlhe spring of: 1790, proceeded fronll Vijncennes towvard this,poitl,
wi-ith a view to friendly relatioionwi',th the Indians, he was told'at the dii-frent villages
on his route to go to Ke-k]-ong-a.' "ou know," s-aid ilhey, "thlat we can terminate.:othiing writhout the consent of orl- brothcrs: thle hia.mies." "The impress of its name,"
d;   i vs:Mri. Williams, of our city,'"pll pso many.liy westernIivers, shows the predomlinance
4!fthle tribe. Thle tnwo M;iamies of the Ohio. will ever prperptuate it. The,liammi orf
".la; Ecie (now Mlaumlee) was likew-ise lnalme for the t:'ibe.: 
()ur own St. Mary's was marked'Mianmies' river,' on the rude skeletoin map, mla.de to.
rcl i',,'.nt'tlhe w'tern coutntry  at the timan of Colo'nel lou qutct'v ecpeditiona in 1'T3."




iiENNEPIN'S A5. COOUNT..
those differing firom them. But the Indian was a rude child of
nature-born in the woods, with tle great spirit of the forest deeply
impressed upon his soul. He had ever seen the Great Father
"n clouds, and heard him in the winds."
Says Iennepin':-'"There were many obstacles that hindered the
conversion of the savages, but in general the difficulty proceeds from
the indifference they have to every thing. When one speaks to;
them of the creation of the world, and of the mysteries of the
Christian religion they say we have reason; and they applaud, in
general, all that we say on the great affair of our salvation. They
~would think themselves guilty ofa great incivility, if they should
~show the least suspicion of incredulity, in respect to what is proposed.
But, after having approved all the disco-ases upon these matters,
they pretend, likewise, on their side, that we ought to pay all possible
defference to the relations and reasonings that they may mzake on
their part. And when we make answer that what they tell us is false,
they reply that they have acquiesced to all that we said; and that it,
is a vant of jud gement to interrupt a man that speaks, and to tell
him that he advances a false proposition.  "  *  *  The second
obstacle which hinders their conversion, proceeds from their great
superstition.''t The third obstacle consists in this,that they are not fixed to a place.''            *
The traders who deal commonly with the savages, with a design to
gain bytheir traffic, are likewise amother obstacle.  T;;' They
think of nothing but cheating and lying to become rich in a short
time. They use all manner of stratagems to get the furs of the
savages cheap. They make use af lies and cheats to gain double,
if they can. This, without doubt, causes an aversion against a religion which they see accompanied, by the professors of it, with so.
many artifices and cheats. ": Continues the same. missionary, " the
Illinois (Indians) will readily suffer us to baptise their children, and
would not refuse it thenmselves; but they are incapable of any previous instruction concerna'ng the truth of the Gospel, and the efficacy
of the sacraments. Would I follow the example of some other mis-.
sionaries, I could have boasted of many conversions; for I migit
easily have baptised all those nations,'and then say, (as I am afraid
they do, without any ground,) that I had converted them.  " "
Our ancient missionary recollects of Canada, and those that succeeded them in that work, have always given it for their opinion, as I
now own it as mine, that the way to succeed in converting thle barbarians, is to endeavor to akhem nmen, before we go about to
make them Christians.':'' America is no place to go to out of a
desire to suffer martyrdom, taking the word in a theological sense.
TWio savares never put any Christian' to death on the score of his
reliilon. They le ae everybody at liberty in belief; they like the
outwa'a.ad ceremonllies of our churchli buit no more. >: i:  i; They
do ndi lkill people but in particular quarrels, or when they tre brutish or drunk, or in reve.g( 01 or infatuated with a dream, or some..




10:I1:ISsTORY oF FOF T "XXAYNE.
extravagant vision. They arp incapable of taking, away any person's
life. out of hatred to his religion. "
The best' ccounts agree thtt it was through the agency and persevering exertions of missionaries, combined with the active and enterprising movements of traders, that amicable relations and a moderate tfrade -were brought about between the colonists of Canada and the
Miami Indians-which occurred before the end of the 17th century..M. de la Barre, governor-general of Canada, in 1684, in a remonstrancelto the Enrlish authorities, at Albany, complained that
the Iroquois, or Five Nations, (a league of friendslip between wmiho-J
and the English, it was understood, then existed,) had been intermeddling with the rights and.property of French traders among
the western tribes. To which the Iroquois, upon learning of this
remonstrance, said their enemies were furnished with arms and
ammunition by the French traders; and. at a subsequent council, held
b1) M. de la Barre with the liive Nations, he accused. the Iroquos,
Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, and Mohawks, with haying
mistreated and robbed French traders going westward. To which
Grangula, chief of the Onondagas, replied thlal they, plundered none
of the French, excepting those who took guns, powder, and balls
to the Twightwees, ( or Miamis ) and Chicktaghickss.' These arms,' 
said he, m  ight have cost us our lives. We have done less wrlong, 7
continued he, in a spirit of upbraiding,  " than either the English or
French, who have taken the lands of so many Indian nations.s
In this we have much of the true spirit and trials of those timwes,
which will be found more in detail in many of the prominient histlries relating to colonial and subsequent periods. But the intniati.ons of the chief Grangula would seem to have been a forerulnner
of further and still more extended troubles between the French and
the Five Nations; * fCir, fromt 1689 to the tlreaty of Ryswick, in 1 697,
wars and conlflicts/ of an almost interminable nature, occurred between the French colonists and the Five Nations, w7;hich,
it is presumed, tended, in a large degree, to check the ambitious
an1d grasping policy of Louis XIV, and also to prevent and retard
the settlement of the Frenich colonists in the Mississippi valley.
Sorme time during the years 1680 and 1700, a number of mnissionaries, in succession, used strong endeavors to Christianize and otherwise instruct the Illinois tribes; and historical records state that a
dhurch, consistinc of a small number of French, with a few Indians,
was established on the banks of the Illinois river, at or near
the site Of a fort called St. Louis, and founded by La Salle at an earlier period.
The traders began early to form matrimonial alliances with the
Indian women, and are said to have lived quite amicably with them.
Attracted by a sense of beauty, and with a view to enterprise in: A century before the signal defeats of Harrar and St. Clair, near this place, Clhas.:1. Laselle, Esq., in his researclhes of the early history of Ft. Wayne, says:  In a eontstP,
which they, ( the MIiami Indians ) with their kindred, the lillinois, waged for three.
or, four years against the invincible Iroquois, of New York, the:se' tomans of Amerlica' ( Ir.:,quois ).'ere w r,,:lte  "




EAKLY FPE Nl-N SETTLEMENTS.               1 
the accumulation of furs, a small body of French adventurer' fi'onl
the Illinois, near the close of the 17th century, moved towar. and
settled upon the borders of the Kaskaskia, a small river emptying
into the Mississippi, about one hundred miles above tie mouth of the
Ohio, where they founded the little village of Kaskaskia.
Among the first movements of the French in an effort to extend
dominion over their western dependencies, from  Canada, duringo
the seventeenth century, were the establishment of small settlements at Detroit and Mlichilimackinac, while many are said to
have given themselves up wholly to a life of adventure, rambling
here and there, as their inclinations and necessities impelled theml
amQ1og the different tribes "north-west of the river Ohio."
Amiong these adventurous spirits, were to be found several quite
intelligent, as well as enterprising and ambitious men, who lived.
in daily hopes of realizing immense " profits and advantagres from the
prosecution of the flr trade."  "This trade," says Dillon, in his
interesting researches, " was carried oh by means of men l' who were
hired to manage small vessels on the lakes, and canoes along the
shores of the lales, and on the rivers, and to carry burdens of merchandise from the different trading posts to the principle villages of
the Indians who were at peace with the French. At those places
the traders exchanged their wares for valuable furs, with which they
returned to the places of deposit. The articles of merchandise used
by the French traders in carrying on the fur trade, were, chiefly,
coarse blue and red cloths, fine scarlet, guns, powder, balls, knives,
hatchets, traps, kettles, hoes, blankets, coarse cottons, ribbonus,
beads, vermillion, tobacco, spirituous liquors, etc. The poorest class
of fur traders sometimes carried their packs of merchandise, by means.
of leather straps suspended fiom  their shoulders, or with the
straps repsing against their foreheads. It is probable that some
of the Indian villages on the borders of the WVabash were visited by
a few of this class of traders before the French founded a settlem1ent at Kaskaskia. It has been intimated, conjecturally, by a learned
writei, (Bishop Brute), that missionaries and traders, before the
close of the seventeenth century, passed down from the river St.
Joseph,'left the Kankakee to the west, and visited the Tippecanoe,
the Eel river, and the upper parts of the Wabasih.' "
" The Miami villages," continues the same researches, "which
stood at the head of the river Maumee, the Wea villages, which were
situated about Ouiatenon, on the Wabash river, and the Piankeshaw
villages which stood on and about the site of Vincennes, were, it
seems, regarded by the early French fur traders as suitable places
for the establishing. of trading-posts. It is probable, that, before the
close of the year 1719, temporary trading-posts were erected at the
sites of Ft. Wayne, Ouiatenon, and Vincennes. These points had, it
is believed, been often visited by traders before the year I700."
During the year 1733, an affray having occurred " between some'' tallcd by thel French voyaClgers,  ena.ffces, and co Cveurs des bois.




l1 2                  H171,SIaTCOY OFi FOurT WAYNE.
drneken young Ouiatenons and two or three French voyageurs, in an
affair of trad"e,  2.. de Armand, vdth a small body of militia, was
ordeiecl to malke an attack upon the Ouiatenons; but, soon after his
arrival at the Miami village here, was persuaded to forego his
intentions upon that tribe, and a friendly intercourse was soon
re-established between the French and the Ouiatenons, whose villages were near the present site of Lafayette, in this State.
Tlle late Judge Hanna, our esteemed fellow-citizens, Hon. J. W.
Borden and J. L. Williams, Esq., in their interesting sketches of Fort
Wa;yne, all make mention of a small French       fort that was early
erected on the south bank of the St, Mary, not far from      the canal
acquednct, and near the residence of Judge McCulloch.       The historical account of tahs fort is, that, as early as 1734, the famous Captain
D. M. D~VincIennes, founder of Vincennes, Inld. visited this point in.a militari ctpacity, and erected the fort in question; and Vincenne.:is said then to ha-ve referred to this locality as " the key of the west.":<
T.Iow long this foit remained or was garrisoned by the French, it is
n.ow unlknown.
Two years ltter, in 1736, by order of his superior officer at New
Orleans, Monsieur d'Artaguette, " eomn     andant for the King in Illinois," Captain Vincennes ( or, as originally spelt, Tinsenne,) left his
post at i incennes with an expedition against the Chicxasaws.      In a
charge against this tribe of Indians, with a small body of French,
aided by about 1000 friendly Indians, Vincennes received a severe
wound, and fell soon after, and because of whichi, his Indian allies
becameae disheartened and. fed, leaving- Vineennes, D'Artaguette,.aid the Jebuit, Senat, at the mercy of the savage foe; and on the 31st,of May, 1736, the three prisoners were lashed to the stake and burned by their wily captors.
Vincennes had visited the MIiamies at this point as early as 1705..3. de VYaudreuille, at that period Governor-general of Canada, in a
O IoTE. —It will readily be seen by the reader, that, at this early period of the history
of o(ir country, the west, begiinning, as we may say, with the Alleghanies, and beyond,
i.nd extending to the borders of Mexico, was an interminable forest, broken only by lakes,
wnate rcoluses, and prairie regions; and every point, in a general sense, was alike a point
of relationship and interest to the other; while this, more especially, both to the Indialns
and to the whites, was, beyond doubt, very early the key to the north-weast. As willre..seen, ias subsequent psaes, there was no ]point looked upon with greatter interest, or whiclt
was more beloved or more resolutely and jealously defended by the red man, against any3
eneroachment of a war-like nature, from the first efforts of the formidable Iroquois, or
Five NIations, of the east, in the latter part of the 17th century, to the strenuous efforts of
Halrmar, St. Clair, Wayne, and Harrison; or which was more eagerly soughlt to be reached:nd held by the wlites, than the ancient site of the I)resent populous city of Fort Wayne.
nl eonsideling its history, therefore, from the earliest known period, up.o tlle struggles
of 181-4, it is found at once connected, in. some way, with every important movement
msade in tie north-west; and instead of forming an extensive Appeindix, the connect in
lin1ks.lre preserved infliture chapters by the interweaving of the genleral events of the.iiorlth-weos withl those miore directly tr' nspiing1 at this p->,int, from the' early efforts of'LaSalle to discover the 5Mississippi, to the latest period of warfaire, etc., with the Indiatns
o)f the westt. And in thus blending the early and general events of the country, for a long
iperiod of years, at once so intiinately connected with thle history of Fort Wsayne,- preserli.ng valuable data, aR well as, in mapny instances, presenting the i most important outlinas
)f sieges, mlacehes, etc., th-e volume readily asu,.m.es. a meore ilnterestin.'n and valuable
chiaractei'r.




CAPTAIN D V: NCENx-KS.'13
letter dated C Quebec, 19th October, 1705," said. he had "sent Sieur
~de Vinseine to the Mimiamis." Another letter, written by,. do
Pontchartrain, to M. de V audreuille, bearing date " Versailes, 9th
June, 1706," said: IG His -Majesty approves your sendiing Sieur,Jonqueres to the Iroquois, because he is esteemed by them, and hasl
not the reputation of a trader; but you ought not to have sent Sieur
de Vincennes to thfe Miamis, nor Sieur de Louvigny to the Missilimaquina, as they are all accused of carrying on contraband trade.
You are aware t[hat the said Sieur de Louvigny has been punished
for that; and his Majesty desires that you cause Sieur de Vincelnnes.
to be severely punished-he having carried on an open and undisguised trade.' In a letter from i. dte taudreuille toM.. de Pontehartrain, dated Nov., 1712, the form.er says he, " had again sent Sieu1
dce Vincennes to the Miami. 3." n 1T719, I. de Vincennes ws s reportcd-to M. de Vauncreuille as havino died at the Miami vitlage here;
but this was a mistake, or it was another officer of tlat name. It
svwas about this period that the French made some unsuccessful efforts
to induce the -Miamis to remove from their old homes here towards
Lake Michigan, or " to the river St. Joseph of Lake Michigan. "
The fort that stood on the east side of the St. Joseph, was early
known as the English Fort, which was occupied by a small garrison
of English troops subsequent to the overthrow of French rule in
Canada, in 1760,-perhaps as early as 1762; though the writer has
]been unable to gather any positive evidence that this stockade was
built by the English. All the accounts I have of its early occupation lead to the conclusion that it was " taken possession of by the
English " soon afterthe close of the struggles in Canada in 1760.
Gen. Wayne traced both of these forts while here, in 1794; and CoY.
John Johnston, a sterling patriot of the west, traced " the dim outlines " of the French fort in the vicinity of the canal acqueduct as
late-as 1800.
Having thus, with other interesting, facts and data, followed the
missionary, trader, and explorer, in their devious windings and am bitious zeal for the redemption of savaoge souls on the one hand, and to
become suddenly wealthy and famous by the accumulation of large
quantities of fur, and the discovery of new regions of territory and
tributary streams, to the end that they might be greatly favored by
the K]ing, on the other hand, we aie readily enabled to see, with o'ther essential reasons, how, at an early period, these zealous and
ambitious adventurers found their way to this point, and established
Ilere their mission and trading posts; and why, at aa later day, the
French soldiers erected here a stockade, and long stood guard in
view of the confluence of these beautiful rivers.




(CIAPTER II.' The Past bears in her arms the Present and the Future. 
ri miti ve accounts of the New World-Feroious animals —The Mllstodon —Exlhnmati['i
of bones near Huntertown-The different tribes of Indians-Their names —The
Algonquin stock —The Indians and eatrly,sett;eis —r ivilization ever disliked by
the Indian-The law of change-Derivation of Indian names —The force of barbaric and civilized influences —Tndian love of his nativity —Amalgamation —T1he
iiamnies in 1718 —The Indian race track-A-Agriculture among the Indians-Tloe
old corn field-The old Apple-troe —Indianhabits —Ideas of freedom —Keki —ong-g
-Labors of the men —The Indian women —Indian elquence —The Indian mother
-An incident-Offspritg-Family government —Love of war-Formidable
i.haracter of the Indians in the latter part of the past century.
K HE MOST primitive works relating to the New World, were
l     noted for the great credulity of their authors and highly exaocT exrated accouuts of the inhabitants-both mall and beast. TIhe
"t, country was considered a mrarvelous embodiment of the wildest
conditions of life, and possessed of a wealth as unfathomable iaso
the land was broad, picturesque, and wild.
Here, in the newly-discovered regions of North America, there
were to be met, it was declared, a species of Lilliptttians and imen of
gig'antic proportions-men not exactly without heads, wrote Lalita.u,
but whose heads did not extend above the shoulders-a people
subsist-ing, much as the camelion,,upon the air-the black man livin' a life of concealment in the tropical forests —and that there were
tlso tribes in the more northern boundaries of the New World, who,
not unlike the ermine, wete quite white; and it was such m.arvelous
talles and exagerated accounts, in part, at least, that awakened the
curiosity of the inhabitants of the Old World, and at length peopled
the new continent of North America with, to it, a new order of human
beinrs, destined to pave the way for a new and more glo:rios sense
of civilization in all. that pertaius, let us trust, to the mental and physical wTelfare of man.
That there were gigantic animals roamingo over the land, is a well
aulthenticated  fact-the lion, the panther, the bear, the tigeer,
land, indeed, most of the wild, ferocious animals known to natural
Iistory, were, at the period referred to, and to a much later day,
doubtless inhabitants of many parts of the New World. The el.k,
which did not disappear till aboult 185, wa.s also common. The




INDIANS? AbcOUNT OP THE MA; [STODON.                    15 
Indlians, gave accounts"' to earlytraders hlene and at other points of
a huge tnimal they called the lin:g of Beasts; and( whe             asked
c on1cerninoT its appearance, their answer was, that; "it looked like the;
Awhite man's hay-stack-very bK;g 7;-and said that it traversed the
regions lying between this section of the present State of Indian:,
and Toledo, Ohio; and         seemed to regret, when speaking of it,
that it was no longer to be seen here —that the white man had driven
it away.    From   former and recent exhumations of bonest not far
-rom  FIort Wa.yne, it is evident that the accounts given to early
traders and others, by the Indians, were not fair from correct, at leaSt
in so far as the goreat size of t.(he animals weree concerned.      ]n wh t
sense they bore a resem)blance, in organization and general s1t'lcture, to' the w hite ma.n5s h.ay-stack," is left fbri the reader to conjecture.                                                   C. Pelt ier.
t'The Fort Wayne (Gazette, of April O22 and Septemnber 17, 1867, gave the following(
aclccolnt of tlh isllexhunltion of bonos in Noble county, near the Allen county. line, and
not far froi'o. lluntertown, in this county, (Allen) which are evidently repnains of the,lreat animals referred to years ago by the Indians lhere:' INTEi}ESTI[-NG DISCOVr1Y.-u-Dr. J. S. Fuller, of Perry, Allen Co., Ind., under date of
A prlil 21, 1867,; rlit es us that the skeleton of an elephant was found a few days ago, on tl-h
tl.mn of W in Thrush, of Noble co., near the Allen county line, by some men who were
digging a ditch. Tlhe discovery vwas nmade about four feet below the sulfa.ce ofthe miL,'sh
tlho? skeleton iis very lare,, and was found standing upright, whih indicates that thI
animal hald mired in the marsh, and died in this position.,.The doctor has examined til
head, under-jaw, hip bones, tusks, and other pieces of the skeleton,, and is convinced ftiat,
they are the remains of an elephant, buried there at least one hundred years ago. The
boneis are at the residence of Mr. Jas. Potter.
I'f the above story is true, ( and we have no reason to doubt it, as the doctor is a reliable
man ) the dis('overy is one of great.interest. There twvs ca tradition among the Indiaisn
N who inhabited this region that Northern Indiana wasi once the home of elephants or somne
aninmal of similar size and appearance. We commend t'ile ease to the attention of our
scientific menl."-Ft. Wayne GAZETrrTE, April 22, 1867.
The nmastodon remains found near Huntertown prove to be more extensive and more
interesting tha n at first anticipated. Part of three skeletons were brought to town yesterldav, a male, female, and calf. No one skeleton is complete, but enough of each has been
fouind to determine the sex and age as above mentioned. The lower jaw of the calf was
cexhumed entire. The teeth, small, and little worn, are the unimistalkable signs of' veal.'
A quantity of older and larger teeth, a.nd part of a larger jaw were found. Also five of the
upper bones of the fore leg, t.wvo upper bones of the hind leg, two thigh bones, shoulderblade, fiagments of tusks, part of a skull, a quantity of ribs, and many other snmallei
].)ones.
"The mastcodon was an animnl similar in size and aippearanee to the elephant, but larker and more nmassive in form. Iti belonged to the eeoloo i(al peciod imnmediately preeelding the pre:sent, an d is supposel to h ave been the last large a n imal whic h became exti nct,
before the clreation of mian. Its avelrage sizei as det ermIined from examnination of rernmains
foiund in var'ious paurtn of the world, was about severteen feet in length, and eleven ifeel
in height. Many skeletons havre been found in this country, p:arlticularly in New Yorl'a nd Nevw Jersey, where the searchl for them hais been more tllorolugh than in other Stlates.
i The skeletons above alluded to were found in a corn field on the fairm of a Mr. Thrui:sh,
about four miles from iHuntertlown, in  la' what ws once a deep marsh. Twenty or thtllni;
years ago, the proprietor sa ys, it would not lhave been safe for man or beast to enter it.
Il'he bones were found in an area of about forty feet in dia.meter, from three to four fteet
below th e surface, in a straturi of light clay covering a layer of blue clay. The top soil
is a black muck, even now fit for cultivation only in dry seasons.
" As to how they got into the mire, variotLs theories can be framed. A friend -whohas
given the subject some profound thought, suggests that the calf was' teething,' and crawled into the malrsh for something to cool its gums, and sticking fast, the old couple followed to rescue it, and met with a like fate. The last half of this theory, we guess,
w ill pass muster.
" The renmains, we understand, will be taken to Chicago, for more careful examination




1.}              i lISTO Y  0' FoiC)i''t  A\\' N.
Th- uniiormity of the aboriginal tribes o:f Norlt  Ameria, i:
their prlimnitive state,-taking Charlevoix? as aimong the eaSriest
Iand best accounts of them -seem at once evident and conclusive;
and. their habits and customs institutions andc primitive organic
relations-seem to have possessed a common identity and bearing.
I an  i early comparison of the grea't number of dialectls anmon?.
-the various tribs o the continent, it was discovered that, not nmore
tal n eif ht. radically distinct tonl:;ues were to be found. in the whole
territory lying east of the Mississippi river; and but five of these
continue to constitute the languages of nations yet remaining;
whfile of late years, it is discoverable that but three only of thcese
serve to remild the reader that the tribes speaking theim have wellhi(.h becolme extinct.',
The Algtonquinfjl or primitive Indian tongue, was not only considered;the most extended, but the most exhuberant in dialect. it
was tire Algonquin which welcomed the early settlers of Plynmoulth
aInd. Roanoakae; iand was hearCt, says BRancroftI, firom the B3ay of
Gaspe to the V alley of the Des Moines fIom Cape Fear, and, it
may be, from the Savannah, to the land of the Esquimaux; forn
the Cumberlandl river of Kentucky, to the southern balnks of the
M\ississippi; and " was spoken," continues the same writer,'thouOh
not exclusively, in a territory that extended through sixty degrees
of longitude, and more than twenty degrees of latitude."
F'rom the earliest accounts known, the Indian was ever disposed to
shun the settlements of the white man. He loved his native haunts, the
woods, the hills, and the vales of America,  He was indigenous to
the soil-lhe knew no other land. From the first troubles with the
settlements at Jamestown and Plymouth, to those of a later period,
springing up at other points, both east and west, the tribes seemedc
ever imbued with the belief that the white man would eventually
overrun thier hunting-grounds, and at length push the red man far
towards the setting sun. HIow truly thought and said the Indian, from
one period to another, may now be most clearly seen. Such is the
force of civilization —such the destiny of the unadvancing, unprogressive, uncivilized of the' earth, e'cn to the lowest kingdom  of
animal life.
Seeking to f    ind new hunting-rerouds, new regions of soil wherein
to plant their maize and cultivate the other products common to
Indian life, unootruded by the white mran, at an early period', t'6i
tribes of the east began gradually to move westward and southward; whille many clans very early abandoned their old huntinggrounds, east and northward, to follow  a roving life in the deepp
forests of the south and west-fleeing from the march of civilization,
which, a fi yvears later, followed them to their distant and exclusive abode. But a few years ago, —and the same is probably true of
They are at present in charge of Dr. W. H. M}ieyers and 1Mr. Simpson, of the Chictago Academay of Natural Sciences."-Fort'Waynle GAZET''TE, Sept. 17, 187.:' Albert Galln-,ati n's -syInol is.'is  From t-hel Fre ncl l.




NAIMES 0o THIE DIFERENT Th IES.                  I7
the present time, —" among the tribes of Texas, there were warriors
Who are said to trace their lineage to Algonquins on the Atlantic;
and descendants from the Ne'w England Indians," as late as 1852
" roamed over western prairies.'" 
The eight primitive tribes, exhibiting a radical distinction in language, were:
1. ALGONQUIN,                      5. CHErO'KEE5
2. DAHCOTA,                         &. UCHEE,
3. i-HUi.N-IrJoQUoIS). NATCIIEZ,
4. CATAWV  A.                       8.,OBILIAN.
From   these sprang many branches, whicih, some years subsegquent to the earliest settlements in Amierica, hcad spread over a
great part of th!  country, many of them   often becomling greatly
redaiced by warfare, or, fusing one tribe with another, by amalgamation, giadually Very materially changed the primitive tongue.    In
this way, if not lost through the extinction of clanst a great number
bf dialects were developed and diffused over the continent.
The names of the various tribes and clans of late years composing
the Algonquin family, many of whom, by permission of the Miamies, had early found their way into, and settled upon, the extensive
territory of this tribe, were the
Jfiamie's, (1w!ttwees),        Sacs,              Ottawex,
O(ihp pewas,                  Corees,            Jllinois,
JP(iankehi7aws,                Foxes,            S7jacwanoes,
1aeneomeznees,                Powhtcan8,          ]i'ckapoos,
ienni'-Lenaqes, (Dela zoares,).Mo,7jegans,        gnziste'neaux,
The FeV3w,'EngZc nd Ind(gias,  Ateznaes akefonocaCns
Sitspm 6ehanA noa s,          IlSf annaJhoaccs,   f lVaznticokes,
ottawc0latnies^,                Ti7nebagoes9,^    iLaseoutens,  7
witht some oth'er smaller indcependent clans, many of which   were
divided into cantons and bodies, it was said," sonmetimas so small
as to afford only a War party."
Thus We seee, more    distinctly, the relationship, position, and
character of the Miamies. Of the entire Algonquin family, -there
Wvere perhaps none more stable, heroic and resolute than this tribe.
Bancroft —-fDupon'cea':i.
i Nature is everywhere alike al to the principle of cdnANF. —imind, —matter of the
mot grss or most attentuated character, —evenl,6 sounId, musi, words, dialects, language, of the finest order of developemnent, —are all s ubject to the laywof change, transmission, growvth of the highest grde of infotldment, or the opposite, to a greater or lees
degree, to esltinct;io itcelf.
Each of which had somo speial meaning in the Indian tongue-as Ottawa, sign fied a tIrade; tascouttens, dwCElrei' i the psiv rie Menomenies, we e ae e;en original
mien-an expression of dignity,'or greatness often used by the braves- such',a.s,'"I
am   ma n i! " (a MenoIetenie ~)7 Fou, red earth; Sa, or Sanul, yellow earth-and so-.on.
And. theoie were protobably bit fewv f these tribes or clans that did not, at one period
or otiier, visit this point,'or send hither their envoys to sit at thle Couniil Fires of the
"Gl'oriious Gate"'of the different tribes, which, tlie Miamies "hacl the happiness to
own,'".and tlhete;teed.l'oubtless many seasons of harmony among the tribes gathered
here, -as there wiere tsl(o periods of bitto-lr feuds and warfare between various nations of
the'eentineat,               (2)




98              hISTORY oE Po.urT WA`NT-,i
Tl2;e limits of their territory has already been quoted in the previous
chapter. This extensive domain had been held by their ancestors,
said the famous Little Turtle, to General Wayne," from time immRnmorial, without molestation or dispute." And had they been a progressive people-readily adapting themselves to the active civilization springing up everywhere about them a few years after the struggles of 1812-14, very many of them might still have been dwelling
in this region upon their old familiar huntingsgrounds. But, as a
mass, they had, with a few exceptions, lived too long in an opposite
condition of life to readily enter into the mote advanced habits of
thought, growth, and culture of the whites, then rapidly settling
upon their ancient domain. That the red man could long have
lived in the centre of a moderate civilization without feeling its power and influence, any more than the White man, dwelling among
savage tribes, in the forest, would be unable to resist, to a greater
or less degree, the influences surrounding him, is a matter needing
but little consideration in point of fact.
Man ever assimilates, has ever assimilated, to a greater or less
extent, in all ages, with that which has surrounded him. If his surroundings are crude, wild, and inflexible, he has readily partaken of
thenm. And in just so far as he has become familiar with the art
of subduing and cultivating the soil-clearing the woodlands, and
making the untamed conditions of nature to bend to his necessitiesproducing new vegetative life in the form of fruits, cereals, plants,
and flowers, has he improved in organization and the general
refinement of blood, brain, and nerve. And it has ever been
through the possession, excercise and application of this power and
intelligence, however meager and incomplete, at first, the means and
implements of cultivation, if steadily pursued, that has laid the
ground-work of sure and gradual transition from barbarism to civilixation.
The great realm of nature is everywhere progressive-ever looks
upward and aspires to a higher sense of beauty and refinement.
The flowers of a hundred: years ago were less refined in point of
essence, and in many instances beauty also, than those ofto-day. So
also with the fruits and every other species of vegetative life, where
a proper degree of care in cultivation is observed. This principle
is equally true of man. Give him but the necessary advantages
and encouragement in the art of cultivating the soil or improving
his mental powers, and he readily begins to refine. Under these
auspices the red man, in many instances, from the days of the
Jesuit missionaries to the present time, has verified, most clearly
and substantially, the truthfulness of this principle of growth and
culture in the natural order of existence. And although never
becoming truly Anglo-Saxon, in so far as the inventive and higher
sense of civilization is manifest-although never losing his tawny
skin, save in a sense of amalgamation, nor ceased entirely, perhaps,
to eentertanin  affiection for the foreest and its wildest hamuts —thae




iCAh:.m^ AFA.A. E.4.'4.rW..''19streams, and a love for the canoe, the spear, the bow and arrow, or
trusty rifle-he yet was ever a living evideince of the poWer and influence of civilization, as brought to bear upon him at various times and
ill many ways. A rude, uncultivated child othe forest-of nature and
the primitive wilds-he was readily and naturally imitative, and
oion received from the white man a knowledge of agriculture
and the use of various implements, with which to cultivate the soil,
cook, fish, hunt, fell the trees. &c,
Beyond these evidences and facts, it had been observed that it
was far easier for the white man to become, in manners and custom,
hn Indian, than for the Indian to become a  hite manin oin t ii of
civilization and thle progressive march and aippliances of lif, in
art Shd general culture; and this is stranely true of no othe'r people wtitjh  ho  the white ma na has ever associated or coome in contact.
The Indian  thoutgh naturally hospitables lby nature and custom,
was often a rude example of indifference; knowing and practicing
but little of the common sympathetic feeling of the white race.
They were accustomed to bewail the loss of friends and their great
chiefs and sachems; and the women, on such occasions, in the wildest and most dishevelled appearance, with garments tattered and
dirty, thleir faces blackened, and hair streaming about their shoulders, often wept bitterly, it is true, visiting the. graves of the departed for many consecutive days but, in the ordinary concerns of life,
to weep or lament were usages most uncommon to the red man.
Even in the midst of the most terrible torture or sifferinig, he was seldom if ever known to shed a tear or utter complaint. Such was his
idea of bravery; yet, if there was one thing more than another that
would have had a tendency to awaken the tears and sympathy of the
Indian, or cause himl to sadly bewail his lot, was to remove him, by
force or otherwise, from the scenes of his hunting-ground and early
associations-so ardent was his attachment to his native hills and
plains-his early home and the many relations that clustered about
it; and in this he was much like the rest of mankind.
Our surroundings as naturally become a part of us, aa t'r)-Aai trwe
inhale is necessary to our health and vigor of action. Th e'i oil we
tread upon, bringing forth and nourishing the food we eat, pJssesses
within itself the elements of mutuality and reciprocatioli a id every
organic being as surely gravitates totard the natural and a1 readily
comiingles, in soene way, therewith, as the law of gravitation
brings a falling body to the earth, or the diurnal action of the globe
brings us the constant " hadow of the night" an1d 4 the light of
day" And the law of sympatih is ever active and earnest within
The bleak Esquimaux, the plkdding Highlander, and peasant of
Northern Russia, no tes than thee most favored of the English nobility, or the wealthiest and most, prosperous merchant or farmer in
America, Are alliei. and:te,.rched tt their nat:hive honm   and wxmkih




20                 H-ISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
as readily take up the cudgel or draw the svord,-load the cannol
or shoulder the rifle ih defence of their native plains and hills as
would we of America, England, France or Germany, were we or
they to be suddenly, or otherwise invaded. Nature never fails to
expres lierself-nevbr fails to make a reply when interrogated, no
matter how strong the sympathy, or whither the alliance. And
the red iman,'ini his primitive fastnesses, hative vales and w6oodlands
of Amn erica-wandering upon the banks of her many beautiful rivers,
chasing the wild animals of the forest, Or spearing the fish in her
streams, -was no exception to tie rule and when he saw and felt
the first act of encroachment upon his native soil he arose in all the
dignity of offended greatness, seized the tomahawk, the wrar-club, the
bow and arrow; assembled the braves; strode vigorously through
the war-dance; blackened and painted their faces; and, after the
mode of Indian warfare, at once lay ill wait to strike the first blow,
in hopes to destroy the enemy, or repel him from their boundaries.
And herein is evinced a sad want of wisdom  and knowledge
on the' part of both the Indian and:the white man-the one to
pass tlrough the ordeal of an almost gradual extermination, while
upon the other fell all the trials and dangers of an intestine and
savage warfare, amid forest and jungle, united with the vast hardships and vicissitude of the pioneer.
Ah has already been shown, the uniformity 6f the Indian dialect,
was, in primitive times, or about the period of the discovery of
America, strongly related and identical. A nd.the same was mainly
true of the general habits and customs of the various tribes of
the continent.
At an early period; as the French and English sucessively made
inroads upon the territories of the Miamies-or, as they were early
called by the English and the Iriquois, the Twigjttwees,-in the establishment of stdcKades and trading-posts, the spirit of intermarriage
soon became rife between the Indian women, fur-traders, adventurers, and soldiers, which, up to the departure of a large body
of this tribe for Kansas, several years since, had well-nigh changed
the whoi nuhnber remaining to " half-breeds." At that period, as
is wetl,7'derstood but few full-blooded Indians were to be found
througihutthe entire extent of their ancient territory. And hence,
of late: years, looking back upon them, we see the light complexion
of the white man clearly visible in their every feature, rather than
the brownish-red of the unmixed aboriginal. Many of them, indeed,
were quite white, with blue eyes,-though still retaining, in a
larg.e degree, the Indian features, —thick lips, large mouth, high
cheek bones, and prominent nose; and were, for the most part, still
_Indian-chlerishing, to a late day, the ancient customs of their
fathers, in hunting, fishing, cultivating the maize, &c.
The following interesting account of the Miamies was written as
early as 1718. The writer had made a short stay at the village here,




TiE MIAMIES I   1718                  21
-nd passed, on tq their brethren of the Wea and other towns along
the Wabash. Says the ~writer:
"The Miamies are situated sixty leagues from Lake Erie, and
number four hundred, all well formed men,, and well tattooed; the
women are numerous. They are hard working, and raise:a species
of maize unlike that of our Indians at Detroit. It is white, of the
sanle size as the other, the skin much finer, and the meal much:whiter. This nation is clad in deer skin.~  They love plays.and
dances; wherefore they have more occupation. The women are well
clothed, but the men use scarcely any covering, and are tattooed all
over the body. From this Miami village, there is a portage of three
leagues to a little and very narrow stream that falls, after a course
of twenty leaaues,- into the Ohio or. the Beautiful River, which discharges into the Oaubache-a fine river that falls into the Mississippi, forty leagues from Gascachias. Into the Oualhache falls also,he Casquinampo, which communicates with Carolina:'; but this is
very far off, and always up stream.
" Tis river Ouabache is the one on wnich the Ougatenons:[ are
settled. They consist of five villages, which are contiguous the one
to the other. One is called Oujatanon; the other Peanquinchias; and
another Petitscatias; and the fourth Lesgros. The nar.e of the last
I do not recollect; but they are all Oujatanons, having the. same
language as the Miamies —whose brothers they are, and properly all
Miamies, having all the same customs and dress. The men are
very numerous-fully a thousand or twelve hundred. They have a
custom different from all other nations; which is, to keep their fort
extremlely clean, not allowing, a blade of grass to remain in it. The
whole of the fort is sanded like the Tuilleries. * - x Their village
is situated on a high hill; and they have over two leagues 6f iprovement, where they raise their Indian corn, pumpkins, and melons.
Irom the summit of this elevation, nothing is visible tothe eye but
prairies full of buffalo."
In stature, for the most part, the Miamies were of medium height,
wxell built, heads rather round than oblong-countenances. agreeat le, rather than sedate or morose-swift on foot, and excessively
fond of racing-both on foot and horse.lj There were, occasionally.to. be seen among them  some men quite tall, yet withl well-propprtioned bodies. As is intimated in the foregoing, the Twightwees or Miamies, unlike most other tribes, were rather cleanly in
their habits; for which they were mostlyv nqoted up to- a very late
period; and were disposed to cultivate the so'il —raising the maize,
bcans, squashes, cucumbers, melons, &ce. Around and within view
*From Colonial History of New York, (a Paris document,) vol. ix, p. 891.
fLeague, (from the French,) three mileq.. Proon.no.ed as if spelt Weatenons.
11 The Indian race-track, for many years, extended froml the south side of the westend free school building, westward about halft a nlile. For somn years before the departure of the Miamies for the west, while the racing.was kept up over thi3s track, mien from
Ohio,.and other parts of the courntry, were accustomed to bring many fast horses here,
and often sold them  to. the Indiant  at very extrava.,: ut pIic(.s.




3.                HiB~1 Mr'roi,1 cw  FORT WAN E'.
of the present site of Ft.: ayne, at different points, were:several
small patches of cleared land, which the Indian women            and   children regularly cultivated each year, and brought forth considerable
quantities of corn and other products; which, together with the
game and fish brought in by the men of the tribe, supplied            them
with food during the winter.      It is a well authenticated    fact, however, that, at periods, perhaps in seasons of severe drought, or more
especially when the products of their fields were destroyed or overrun, and their villages burned-by invading armies, or through conflicts
with formidable tribes at more remote periods, and often from neglect to prepare for the winter months, the Indians, not unfrequently,
found themselves with but scanty supplies for the severe months of
winter; and, huddling themselves about their dingy wigwalni, with
a few smoking embers in the center, scarcely sufficient to keep them
warm, have been known to fast for many consecutive days because
of their inability to obtain food.
The extensive field* and open point, just east of, and adjacent to,
the confluence of the rivers St. Mary and St. Joseph, in which stands
the historic Apple Tree,t near and about which were scattered many
of the huts and wigwams of the Miamies to          a late period    in  the
present century, had been annually cultivated by this ancient tribe
for a period of perhaps one hundred and fifty years or more before
the erection of the fort at this point under the direction of' General'Wayne, in 1794.     That their women had long been accustomed            to
*As early as 1814, the Indians then here informed John P. Hedges, T3sq.,-whio
has now been a resident of Fort Wayne for fifty-five years-coming here with the army
in 1812, —that this field had been cultivated by others long before them; and, to,quote
their own langnage, —singeb-a-.wetook,-they had planted and raised corn, beans,
&c., in this field for many years-a long, long time.
tChief Richavrdville often told the old settlers here that this old apple tree was there
when he was a little boy and tha it was then a " bearing tree; " that the hut in which
he was born stood very near to it. The chief attained an age of near eighty years, and died
in 1841. Witht these facts it is presumed that, at the present time (September, 1867),
the tree is about one hundred and thirty odd years old. From the fact of his early
associations, his birth', &c., being so intimately related to this old tree and its adjaceet
localities, Riohardville ever looked upon it with the warmest veneration and regard.
The tree is thought to have sprang from a seed accidently dropped or purposely planted
by some of the early French traders or missionaries visiting this point. In the spring of
1E66, a heavy storm swept away its main trunk, leaving it as now seen in the opposite
engraving.'The circumference, as measured by the writer and a friend, in the iionth
of June, (1867) was 1l feet, The fruit is small, and usually ripens in the month ot
October. By the taste of the leaf of the tree, there would seem to be sufficient strength
and vitality in it, if not otherwise molested, to survive at least a half century or more
to come. Savs Mr. J. L. Williams' We need not question its identity. There are.
specimens of the hardier varieties in this country now bearing fruit at the age of 150 to
200 years." Let its memory be perpetuated by a careful preservation of it in future
years. Its historic renown well entitles it to the careful attention of the present owners
of the ancient field of the Miamies, in whicel it has so long lived, blossomed, and borne
its fruit. Let a nent; railing be placed about it as a means to its better protection and
care. It was out of this tree that an Indian, during the seige of 1812, was shot by one
of the soldiers from the fort, a distatice of many hundred yards. In an exulting spirit,
<one of the beseigers was in the habit of climbing the tree each day for several days, and,
browing his arms, much like the rooster his wings, when crowing, would utter a noise
cry like this fowl, which was finally answered by the crack of a rifle froin tlie
ri, and the ITudian was seen to fal'l.




a, ~ i~~~Y:j~21-:........
~............................
THE,,LD APPLE TREE"








extensive agricultural pursuits is most fully confirmed  by all the
early visitants of this locality, and the regions adjacent.
In a letter to the Secretary of war, General Knox, bearing date
August 14, 1794, General Wayne said: "The margin of those
beautiful rivers, the Miamis of the lake (or Maumee) and Auglaize,
appear like one continued village for a number of miles, both above
and below this place (confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee); nor
have 1 ever beheld such immense fields of corn, in any part of America, from Canada to Florida."
The accounts of 1812, are of a similar character.  Several villages
were then located at different points, here and within k range of
some ten miles of Ft.:Wayne; the most considerable village then
being about ten miles below this point, on the Maumee.      A  large
amount of corn and wheat were then destroyed, much of it purported to have been of a very excellent quality; showing, that, by a long
contact with the English and French, from whom had sprung many
of the half-breeds, then so numerous among the Miamies and other
tribes living near and about them, these Indians had attained many
advantages in civilized relations, in the way of agriculture, &c.; and
many of the villagers were then living in very good log-cabins,
raising annually excellent crops of both corn and wheat.   Ox-teams,
brought from   Canada, were also employed among them, at that
period, to very good advantage.*
The Indian loved the wild fruits, and here, in the region of Fort
Wayne, there were, at an early period, an abundance of wild plums,
haws, berries, &c. The Indians were accustomed to cherish the belief
that for them the Great Spirit had especially caused these to come
forth and ripen with each season; and every species of food, from
the roots, vegetables, and fruits, to the animals themselves, were
alike considered as imbued with some peculiar principle in which
the Great Spirit had infused some special element of excellence,
intended to impart to the red man both health and strength.    Here,
more especially, the blackberry was most abundant, and from      this
fact, this point was long known to the Indians as Ke-ki-ong-a,t
Recollections of Mr. George Taylor, a resident of Plymouth, Ind.,who was here in 1812,
and, by command of his superior officers of the army, helped to destroy mauny of the
Indian settlements of this region.
fSays Mr. Chas. B. Lasselle, in referring to this point: " The Miami name of this
village was Ke-ki-ong-a, which, by an inflection of the last syllable, was pronounced
as if writtten Ke-ki-ong'a. The name in English, signifies blackberry pateh, which,
in its turn, pasaed among the Mianlies as a symbol of antiqluity. But whether this name
was given it on account of the spot being covered with the blackberry, or was meant
to represent it as the most ancient village of their race in this country, is not known,
though tradition, their unusual regard for it, (the place) and the te-nacity with which
thev so long defended it, would implvy, the latter suptpoition. The old colonist write.s
speak of it as the Twightwee' village. The French traders called it ( AutE.' The
Americans called it' OgE' and sometimes' Tn Miamni village.' It extended, principally, along the banks of the St. Joseph river, but was also over the opposite side, and
reached to within three or four hundred vards of tlhe confluence of that river with thel
St. Mary. The inhabitants of this village anciently belonged to that tribe of Miamies
ealled the Twat-t-wahs, (which the early colonists spelt' wightwees,') the Intion
having consisted of the several tribes of Wacbhs (at Wci-ah-ta-nong, on the Wabash,) 1:l.




2-                   iIlsrTOtyS' OF FOl'T' AWAYrNE.
which, interpreted, signified a blackberry patch. And tlhe reader
can, well imagine, in the ripeninag season, a bevy of'romeen and
children, with bark baskets, gathering the rich berries of their k6-Ucion,'-C.
With the red man, to be idle, was to be happy, great, and free;
and, as we have seen in a former page, the Miamies "loved plays
and dancesc," and thus, with gaming, chanting some familiar refrain,
perhaps learned from the medicine men-wrestling, raciug, lying,
or sitting beneath the shade of some wide-spreading tree, in summer, they whiled away their time during the greater part of the
spring, simmner, and fall, seldom if ever disturbing the game of the
forest, more especially that species (the beaver, the raccoon, the
bear, the deer, the buffalo: c&c.) which afforded them valuable furs
and skins, until the hunting season began, which was usually about
the first of No.Vember of each year. This was life among the Miamies, and, in fact, among every tribe of the northwest.
In games of chance, moccasin, &c., in which they indulged a great
deal, at a late period, more especially, they would participate, unless
intoxicated, with the greatest good humor, often betting and losing
every article they possessed, even to their guns, hatchets, ac., and
never thought it amiss to cheat, whenever an opportunity presented,
In foot and horse-racing, they as often went to as great extremes
in betting as when at a game of moccasin.
The greatest labors of the men, in earlier periods, were those of
completing palisades; constructing boats; to aid in the. building and
repair of their cabins; to prepare the instruments of warfare and
the chase; to paint, tattoo, and otherwise adorn their bodies. The
women of the red men were ever the toilers; to them   fell the burdens of cultivating the'fields and patches that brought forth the vegetation of spring and sumnmer that went to nourish them, in part,
the remainder of the year; and before the visit of the trader —who
supplied them, in exchange for furs, with hoes, and other implements of use,-how meager and indifferent must have been their
means and advantages of cultivating the soil.  Some wooden inplement, perhaps-some sharp bone of an animal, or tortoise shell,
doubtless served for a hoe or mattock. And thus toiled the Indian
ltivers (at At-ke-no-pe-kong, on Eelriver), Twat-wlahs, and perhaps soe others, whlose
names and existence, as separate tribe.s, have loug since eased, and been nmerged into
those of the nation." Now, the fact of the worl IKe-ki-ong-a signifying a blackberry
)patch warrants a strong suplposition, at least, that, in view of the fact of there being
very early a large patch of that nature at this point, the namae Ke-ki-ong-a must prinitively have been derived theeflrom.
Novremberh, th, 1712, Father Glabriel MIarest, a Frenc h missionary, writing fom
some point erhlaps along the Wvabash, or, as then called, the Ouabache, after giving
a somewhat full land graphic account of t.he egions bordering on thati stream, saici
it was "irich in minerals, especially lead and tinl, and that if experienced miners.were to colme out fomn France and wor k the mines, he hd no doubt that gold
and silver would be found in' abundalnce. That the quantity otbi'bzfalo and bear
which was to be found on the banks of the Wabasii (Oitabache), was incredible;"
and furtheir rerdarked that' the omeat of the bear was very delicious,. "for," said he,
"I have tried it."-Judge Law's Address, page 11I




LABORS OF TI'E INDIAN WNOMEN.                   2
women in the field, mellowed the soil, beat down the weeds about
the corn, cultivated the bean, the squash, the Indian cucumber,
the pumpkin and the melon; and she it was that routed the birds
frorn the patches, gathered the maize and otler products of her
hlabor; jerked and dried the deer, bear, and buffalo meat; prepared
the Indian meal; dried the winter's fruit; gathered the wood for
the fires, and cooked the meals. And when a bark canoe was built,
it was the Indian woman's work to sew the bark with so6me stringy
substance, berhaps peeled fromI the elm or root of some small tree,
and fillingm the seams with some adhesive substance, to preventleakage. W'hen removing from one point to another, or retiring to their
Ihhnting-grounds for the winter, to carry the. lugg age, and  aterial
of the wigwam, if taken with them, it was the mission of the Indiani
women to pack such upon their backs. Did'the red man go in
pursuit of game, it was the ancient custom  of the faithful Indian
woman to follow and carry upon her shoulder the iruits of the chase.*
The Indian women teere indeed heroes.     And when we come to
contemplate the toilsome lives they led-their unflinching efiorts in
all kinds of weather,-in every season of the year-it is not surprising that the early sons of the forest were hardy and activefleet on foot and wily in the fight. Amid toil and drudgery-trial
and vicissitude —the Indian woman often brought forth the offspring
of their masters; (for they were evidently nearly all, if not quite, in
a large degree, at least, veritable slaves to their husbancis.)  So
hardy were they, from constant physical labor and exposure to the
open air, it was said of them, tl:at, " in one quarter of an hour a
woman would be merry in the house, and delivered, and merry
again; and within two days, abroad; and after four or five days, at'work."  The powerful will of the Indian women, together with their
long accustoned aversion and heroic indifference to pain, ever rose
superior to the momentary pangs accompanying the birthi of their
offspring. In this they possessed a strong native intuition; and
thus far, at least, are worthy of emulation by all the mothers of our
present heroic conditions of civilization' and intellectual advancesient. What a world of health and goodness-what an ocean of
intellectual excellence and physical beauty miniht have been germiinated through the organism of the Indian mother, had she possess- "When the Indians arrived and departed," says Mrs. Kenzie, referring to very
early times, in the present century, about Green Bay, "my sense'of'woman's rights'
wsV often outraged. The master of the family, as a general thing, ~,ame leisurely
bearinga a gun and perhaps a lance in his hand. The woman, withl the ilats and poies
of her lodge upon her shoulders, her papoose, if she had one, the kettles, sacks of corn,
and wild rice, and not unfrequently, the household dog, perched on the top of all. If;there is a horie or pony in the list of family possessions, the man rides, the squaw
trudges after. This unequal division of labor is the result of no want of kind, aff ciionate feeling on the part of the husband. It is rath er the instinct of the sex to assert their
superiolity of position and importance, when a prolper occasion offers. When out of the
reach of observation, and in no danger of compromising his own dignity, the husband
is willing enough to relieve his spouse from tlhe burden tlat custom imposes on her,
by sharilng her labors and hardsllips." — Early Day in the Nlorthwest," pages 359 and
~60.




6  HisTORY OF FORT WAYNE.'
ed the proper expansion of mind., Even as it was, how many rare
and singular examples of oratory came from hler. Listen to the stirring appeal of Little Turtle, (Me-che-cannah-quah) addressing Gen.
Wayne, and others, at the famous treaty of Greenville, July 15th,
1795:
" Elder brother, and all present! I am going to say a few words,"
said the orator, in the name of the Pottawattamies, Weas, and Kickapoos. It is well known to you all, that people are appointed on
these occasions, to speak the sentiments of others; therefore am I
appointed for those three nations. Elder brother: you.told your
younger brothers, when we first assembled, that peace was your
object; you swore your interpreters before us to the faithful discharge of their duty, and told them the Great Spirit would punish
them, did they not perform it. You told us that it was not you,
but the President of the fifteen fires of the United States who spoke
to us; that whatever he should say should-be firm and lasting; that
it was impossible he should say what was not true. Rest assured
that your younger brothers, the Miamies, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattamies, Shawanees, Weas, Kickapoos, Piankeshaws, and Kaskaskias, are well pleased with your words, and are persuaded of
your sincerity. You have told us to consider the boundaries you
showed us; your younger brothers have done so, and now proceed to give you their answer.*
( Elder brother: Your younger brothers do not wish to hide their
sentiments from you. I wish them to be the same with those of the
Wyandots and Delawares., You have told us, that most of the
reservations you proposed to us, belonged to our fathers, the French
and the British. Permit your younger brothers to make a few
observations on this subject. Elder brother: We wish you to listen
with attention to our words. You have told your younger brothers
that the British imposed falsehoods on us, when they said the
United States wished to take our lands from us, and that the United
States had no such design: You pointed out to us the boundary line,
which crossed a little below Loramie's store, and struck Fort Recovery,and run from thence to Ohio, opposite the mouth of Kentucky river. Elder brother:You have told us to speak our minds freely, and we
now do it. This line takes in the greater and best part of your
brother's hunting ground; therefore your younger brothers are of
opinion you take too much of their lands away, and confine the
hunting of our young men within limits too contracted. Your
brothers, the Miamis, the proprietors of those lands, and all your
younger brothers present, wish you to run the line as you mentioned,
to Fort Recovery, and continue it along the road, from thence to
Fort Hamilton, on the Great Miami river. This is what your
brothers request you to do, and you nlay rest assured of the free
*This speeulh not only largely displays the power of Indian oratory,-the native
intelligence and goodness of heart of this distinguished Chief, blut also carries with it
Imay imlportant historical facts relating to the early histcry of Fort Wayne.




SPEECT   F LITTrLE TURETLE.                      7
navigation of that river, from thence to its mouth, forever.  Brothe r:
Here is the road we wish to be the boundary between us.         What
lies to the east we wish to be yours; that to the west, we would
desire to be ours.  [Presenting a road belt.]
"Elder brother: In speaking of the reservations, you say they
are designed for the same purposes as those for which our fathers,
the French and English, occupied them.        Your younger brothers
now   wish to make some observations on them.          Elder brother:
Listen with attention.   You told us you discovered on the Great
Miami, traces of an old fort. Brother: it was a fort built by me.
You perceived another at Loramie's:'tis true a Frenchman once
lived there for a year or two. The Miami villages were cccupied
as you remarked;* but, it was unknown to your younger brothers,
until you told them, that we had sold land there to the French or
English.   I was surprised to hear you say it was my forefathers
had set the example to the other Indians, in selling their lands.
I will inform you in what manner the French and English occupied
those places.   Elder brother: These people were seen by our forefathers first at Detroit: afterwards we saw them at the Miami village
-that glorious gate, which your younger brothers had the happiness
to own, and through which all the good words of our chiefs had to
pass, from the north {o the south, and from     the east to the west.
Brothers, these people never told us they wished to purchase our
lands from us.
"Elder brother: I now      give you the true sentiments of your
younger brothers, the Miamis, with respect to the reservation at
the Miami villages.    We thank you for kindly contracting the limits
you at first proposed.   We wish you to take this six miles square
on the side of the river where your fort now         stands, as your
younger brothers wish to inhabit that beloved spot again.         You
shall cut hay for your cattle wherever you    please, and you shall
never require in vain the assistance of your younger brothers at
that place.  Elder brother: The next place you pointed to was the
Little River, and said you wanted two miles square at that place.
4;The point here referred to. was the following, from General Wayne's speech, made
five days previous to the delivery of Little Turtle's speech, and addressed to the
Miamies. Said he,
"I will point out to you. where I discover strong. traces of these establishments;
(forts) and, first of all, I ind at Detroit a very strong print, where the first fire was kind led
I)Y your forefathers: west, at Vincennes, on the Wabash; again at Musquiton, on the
same river; a little higher up that stream, they are to be seen at Ouitenon. I discover
another strong trace at Chicago; another on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan. I have
seen distinctly the prints of a French and British post at the Miami villages, and of a
British post at the foot of the rapids, now in their possession; prints. very conspicuous,
are on the Great Miami, which were possessed by the French forty-five years ago; and
another trace is very distinetly to be seen at Sandusky. It appears to me," he continued,
" that if the Gre4t Spirit, as you say, charged your forefathers to preserve their lands
entire for their posterity, they have paid very little regard to the sacred injunction: for
I see they have parted with those lands to your fathers, the French, and the English are
lnow, or have been, in possession of them all; therefore, I think the charge urged against
the Ottawas, the Chippewas, and other Indians comes with a bad grace, indeed from the
very people perhaps that set them the example. The English and French both wore
hats; ad yet, j''u foreofiea'he sold them, at various times, rorrions of your lands."




28                   I-HISTORY oS FORT VWAYNE.
This is a relcest that our fathers, the French and  British, nevyer
made us; it was always ours. This carrying place has heretofore
proved, in a great degree, the subsistence of your younger brothers.  That place has brought to us, in the course of one day, the
amount of one hundred dollars. Let us both own this place, and
enjoy in common the advantages it affords. You told us, at Chicago,
the French possessed a fort: we have never heard of it.  We thank'
you for the trade you promised to open in our country; and permit
us to remark, that we hope our former traders may be continued,
and mixed with yours. Elder brother: On the subject of hostag'es,
1 have only to observe, that I trust all my brothers are of my opinion with regard to peace and our future happiness.   I expect to, be
with you every day when you settle on your reservations; and it will
be impossible for me or my people to withhold from you a single
prisoner; therefore we don't know  why any of us slhould remain
here.  These are the sentimenti ns of your younger brothers present,
on these particulars."
And again, at a council, in the valley of the Muskingum, in 1764,
hear the eloquent words of a Shawanoe chief, as he addresses the
English commander, Col. Bouquet, then marching against the western tribes:
"Brother," said the chief," with this belt of wampum, I dispel
the black cloud that has so long hung over our heads, that the,
sunshine of peace may once more descend to warm       and gladden
us. I wipe the tears from your eyes, and condole with you on the
loss of your brethren who have perished inq this war. I gather
their bones together, and cover them deep in the earth, that the
sight of them may no longer bring sorrow   to your heart; and I
scatter dry leayes over the spot, that it may depart forever from
tmemo11y.
"The path of peace, which once ran between your dwellings and
mi-ne, has of late been choked with thorns, and briars, so that no
one could pas~ that way; and we have both almost forgotten that
such a piath had ever been.  I now clear away all these obstructions,
and make a broad, smooth road, so that you and Imay freely visit
each other, as our fathers used to do.  I"kindle a great council-fire
wvhose smoke shall rise to heaven, in view of all the nations,, while
you and I shall sit together and smoke the peace-pipe at its blaze."'I,An Iudian council, on solemn occasions,was always opened with preliminary forms,
sufficiently wearisome and tedious, but made indispensible by immemorial custom; for
this people are as much bound by their conventional usages as the most artificial children,of civilization. The forms were varied, to some extent, according to the imagination of
the speaker; but in all essential respects they were closely similar, throughout the tribes
of the Algonquin and Iroquois lineage. Thleyrun somewhat as follows, each sentence
being pronounced with great solemnity, and confirmed by the delivery of a vwampunm
belt Brothers, with this beltl I open your ears that you may hear-I remove grief and
sorrow firom your heart, —I draw from your. feet the thorns- that pierced them as you
journeyed thither-I clean the seats of the council-house, that you may sit at ease-I'wash your head and body, that your spirits may be refreshed-I condole' with you on
the-lutss of the friends who have died since we last met-I wine out any blood which




A FFECTION OF THE INDIAN AOTIIER.                     29
Again, in 1762, at the famous council of Lancaster, Pa., a distinguished chief of the Oneidas, with singular emphasis, said:
"In the country of the Oneidas there is a great pine-tree, so hugs
and old that half its branches are dead with time.      I tear it up by
the roots, and, looking down into the hole, I see a dark stream       of
water, flowing with a strong current, deep under ground. Into this
stream  I fling the hatchet, and the current sweeps it away, no man
knows whither.     Then I plant the tree again where it stood before,
and thus this war will be ended forever."
The love of the Indian mother for her child was most intense.
Though seldom     expressed by. fond caresses, yet it was ever ardent,
free, and unextinguishable; and to have entrusted her babe to the
care of another to perform      the part of mother or nurse, except
in cases of death, Would indeed, to her, have been a wild, barbarous
act.  The cradle bf the Indian child was usually constructed of
bark and small sticks of wood; and was commonly adorned with
gaud.y feathers, beads, and other attractive objects, of a similar
nature.   A buffalo or other warm      furry skin usually served as a
bed and covering for the little nursling.*
When journeying, the Indian mother would wrap her child in furs,
or ih a blanket, and, placing its back to her own, would travel steadily
on to her journey's end, regardless, often, of the wailings of her infant, on the way. When at work in the field or patch, she would
often hang her tawny bud,' as spring does its blossoms, on the
boughs of a tree, that it might be rocked by the breezes.rom        the
land of souls, and soothed to sleep by the lullaby       of the birds."
And it often occurred, through a peculiar sense of compassion
among the aboriginal tribes, that when the mother died, her infant,
if very young and feeble, shared the grave with her.
may have been spilt between us. This ceremony, which, by the delivery of so many
belts of wampum, entailed no small expense, was never used except on the most important occasions; and at the councils with Col. Bouquet, the angry warriors seem wholly
to have dispensed with it.
An Indian orator was provided with a stock of metaphors, which he always made use
of for the ex-pression of certain ideas. Thus, to make war was to raise the hatchet; to make
peace was to take hold of thechain of friendship; to deliberate was to kindle the councilfire; to cover the bones of the dead was to make reparation and gain forgiveness for the
act of killing them. A state of war and disaster was typified by a black cloud; a state
of peace by bright sunshine, or by an open path between the two nations.
The orator seldom spoke without careful premeditation of what lie was about to say;
and his memory was refreshe(l by belts of wampum,which he delivered after every clause
in his harangue, as a pledge of the sincerity and truth of his words. These'belts were
carefully preserved by the hearers, as a substitute for written records; a use for which
they were the better adapted, as they were often worked in hieroglyphics expressing the
meaning they were designed to preserve. Thus, at a treaty of peace, the principal belt
often core the figure of an Indian and a white man holdling a chain between them.
-[ Parkman.
*Recollections of Mrs. Griswold(formerly Mrs. Peltier) who, with her grandfather and
grandmother, Batis MIaloch and wife, (deceased) came from Detroit to Fort Wayne as
early as 1807. Mr. James Peltier, her husband, who had, for some years previous,
and so continued for somei years after, been a trader at this point, and early becoming
warmly attached to the American cause,, and being.much liked by the Indians, was
long most useful to the. government as an interpreter and messenger, carrying messages
often at. great risk of life, but always with success.




Many years ago, one of tle early mothers of Fort Wayne, with
her husband, took up their residence in a little hut at the base of
the hill, just west of the bend of the Maumee, nearly under the guns
of the old forte  Near their dwelling was another hut, used by her
husband for purposes of trade with the Indians. Both, because of
their many acts of attention and kindness, had early won the savage
heart, and being able to speak freely with the Indians in their native
tongue, were often visited ahd protected by the red children of the
region. They seemed indeed to have regarded her as a kind of goddess, and often looked up to her as a spiritual helper. Often, she
says, has she joined with them in:the wild dance and merry Indian
jubilee —all regarding her with special favor on such occasions, A
little incident will strikingly illustrate her relationship to them, and
serve to exhibit the tender regard of the Indian mother for her offspring. It was a pleasant period of the year, when an Indian
woman, approaching the edge of the river, not far from the little
huts in question, with a child in her arms, seemingly in great distress,
suddenly observing our pioieer mother, then but a girl of some
sixteen or seventeen summers, cried most piteously to Mrs. P.* to,come to her aid. Anxious,to know the cause of the woman's distress, and feeling, as well, a desire to render her what aid she could,
Mrs. P. soon stood by the side of the anxious woman in the water.
The Indian woman's story was quickly told. She had, but a little
while before, observed that her child iWas dying, and had at once
hastened to the river to afford it baptism  before its little spirit
should take its flight.' If the little papposa die," said she, with much
anxiety, t before it is put in the water, it can only see the spirits
about it-it can't go up where the Great Spirit is." Readily affording the woman the desired aid, the child was speedilybaptised, and
the mother's heart set at ease. A  few moments more, and the
spirit of the little pappoose Was gone. The great Manito of the red
man would now afford it a place in his joyful household.
One of the prime objects of the Indian mother, as, the child advanced, was to enure it to the weather, that it might be strong and
active. With this view, soon after being taken from the cradle,
with but little covering upon their bodies, the children were permitted to rollick and iamuse themselves about the cabin, that they
might acquire, as well, a knowledge of the use of their limbs. Freedom of will being the highest idea of governmental excellence with
the Indian, there were no special restraints of lamily government
among the Miamies. The children were permitted to do just as
they wished, seldom if ever being reproved or chastised; and yet,
were unaccustomed, as a general rule, to acts of special incivility
*Mrs. Peltier, (now Griswold), who informed the writer that, in those early titnmee
now some fifty-eight years ago, she was often called upon to aid the Indians in this
way. It is most probable that this religious rite came originally from the early
missionaries visiting and sojourning here; for the primitive Indian mother seems eve;i
to have entertained the belief that the Great Spirit had placed near her child a guard5inu angel or spirit that eould enable t. to s'urmroatn. nU a3 oLt.e, heAre1 and hereafter.




T.tAININ  OF THE YorTmx  WAoBIOi.             1
toward any of the older members of the tribe, or the stranger
when visiting them in times of peace.*  All were alike attached to
their young, and could not, under any circumstances, permit a separation, long at a time, while living. Their own native aspirations
led the young Indian early to acquire a knowledge of the bow and
arrow, the tomahawk, and the gun, and to use their limbs with dexterity in running and swimming. Fromn oft-repeated stories of the
prowess and daring of their ancestors, related to them  by the
older members of the tribes, as they sat about the fire of the wigwam, the young Indian early became imbued with heroic feelings,
and longed to become famous by some special act of bravery and
valorous exploit.t As with " the birth of an offspring, or the appearance of a first tooth," there was merry-making in the Indian cabin,
so also the wigwam was made a scene of festivity upon the achievement of a first success in hunting.  Being thus early schooled,
dwelling in, and subsisting upon the wilds of nature, it was not
surprising that the young Indian soon became a " brave," longing
for war, and to adorn his person, by the most wily means and acts
of ferocity, if heed be, with the scalps of his red foeman and the
pale face. Nothing was so joyous to his soul-nothing made him
more eager for the charge, and filled his: heart with greater determination to excel as a warrior, or to defeat and put to rout and to death
the enemy he was to meet at a special time and place, than to chant
beforehand the wild war song, and dance the war-dance around the
midnight camp-fires or through the streets of his villages. Painted
and blackened; with the feathers of the eagle, hawk, or other bird,
as a crown about their heads, or, long, black, coarse hair streaming
wildly back over their shoulders, or cut close to their skulls, leaving
only a top-lock, standing forth in all their native ardor and selfexcellence-brave, resolute, determined -knowing all the country
around-every point of possible retreat for an army-every hollow,
or special ravine-every deep thicket and clump of trees-every
fording-place along the rivers, —the swamps of the woods-every
point where the fallen timber was most abundant, or lay the open
spaces and prairies-it was not to be wondered the Miamies were
often so successful in their efforts against the early pioneers and
the armies of Harmar, St. Clair, and others, in the latter part of
the past century. Still powerful at that period, commanding at any
moment, a numerous alli, with the memory and prowess of their
ancestors, and many marks of success to inspire and urge them on,
they were not easily to be subdued or driven from the home
of their fathers.
*Recolleetions of J. P. Hedges, Esq., who speaks the Miami tongue quite fluently.
tIt was always a common complaint with the chiefs and head men of the different
tribes throughout the country,from an early period, that " they could not restrain their
young men, " and when their early teachings are taken into view, it was not surprising
that the young men of the tribes were so often unrestrainable.




CHAPTER III.
c' Through the woodland, through the meadow,
As in silence oft I walk,
Softly whispering on the breezes,
Seems to come the red man's talk."-Benj. S. Parker.
indian mode of reckoniig time-Hospitality and Etiquette —The Stranger —Th " Green,
corn dance," as wXitnessed in 1833 —Curative powers of the Indian-Dress of
the warrior-Pride ofadornment —Restraint —Revelnge-Emblenls served for names
-An incident-The Miamies and Pottawattamies —French'settlements among
the Miamies-Suggestions of Dr, Franklin —Chiefs and Sachems-Their powerRecords of treaties.-Force of cloqouence-Indian Democracy —The Natchez Indians —The Peace-pipe-Assemblies —Messengers of peace —Councils at the Miami
villages-An incident-Indian disregard of daacth —Declarations of war-'DancesaReligious nature of the Indian-The medicine ien —Life in the north-west 150
years ago-Civilization here 150 years hence.
O4,HE    MIAMIES, like all other tribes of the primitive wilds
[   0of America, knewnothing of days, as called after the Saxon
t71j gods-took no note of time, save as presented by " the return
-y of snow or the spriinging of the flowers." The flight of the birds'   told them of the passage of summer, and the approach of the
hunting season. The active instinct of the animal world abo'ut them9
the appearance of the sky, &c., ever served, by some peculiar expression, to remind them of the approach of storms; and the time
of the day was traced by the shadows of the trees, and other obj ects,
as reflected by the sun.
In times of peace, ever hospitable, the stranger,-and, especially
those to' whom they were attached,-were always welcome, and
feasted with the best his cabin afforded.   The Indian has often,
indeed, been known to go without food himself to appease the hunger of the traveler or those sojourning with them. And when he
visited the white man, or was invited by him to a seat at his table, the
red man carried with him his own peculiar custom, and ate heartily
of all that was set before him. He wa s most sensitive, too, at such
times; and, for any member of the Iamily with whom       he was a
guest, to have begun to sweep the floor before the departure of
his Indian visitor, would have been to lead the red man to infer
that you wished to sweep him     out also.'
*A fact well known to many of the old citizens: f Flort; Wa5ne




HIISTORY OP, FORT WAYIE,.                3
At a late period in the history of the Indians of this region, it was
a, ordinaryithing for the white man to enter the cabin of the red
man uninvited. And the same was trufe of the savage. Nor was
it a custom of the Indian to question those who came to see him as
to their business there, or how long they intended to remain. Fond
of dancing, their festivals were many; at which it was a custom to
eat;heartily of everything prepared for such occasions. And it was
at such times that they were most prodigal, and often greatly exhausted their supplies for'the winter.
To shovw how closely allied to ancient customs were the modern
habits and festivities of the Miamies, the reader can now look in
upon a gay crowd of dancers at one of their;" Green-Corn " dances,
at a payment of the Miamies in 1833, at the junction of the Wabash
and Little River. " There, upon our arrival,; runs the account,"* at
a little after dark, we found a party of Indians-consisting of between
two and three hundred —assembled for the purpose of participating
in or witnessing the dance. A ring was formed, surrounded by a
large number of Indian spectators, and about fifty whites-in
which were placed the male portion of the dancers, headed by the
leaders. At a signal from the music, which consisted of a tap on
the drum, of a dull, heavy tone, by one Indian, and a clatter of a
set of deer hoofs by another; the leaders broke forth in a wild song
of a few ejaculatory notes responded to by the party, and the dancing and singing commelced. The women then fell in one by one;
mcd, selecting their partners as they danced along, the party was
completed. The dancers all appeared in their very'best,' and
had attached to their ankles a profusion of small tinkling bells. The
music consisted simply of the rfepeated single taps of the said drum,
accompanied wjith the continuous clatter of the deer-hoofs; while
the' figure' was composed only of three short, rapid leaps upon the
balls of the feet, scarcely raising them from the ground, and slightly advancing at the same time. Occasionally, however, an' exttra
touch' would be given by the dancers, in some antic or other, whicl
it would be impossible to describe. In this wav the danciIn, sinping, tapping of the druml clattering of deer-hoofs, tinkling of bells,
and an occasional yell, forminig a wild and singular medley,
which continued foir about half an hours when the party, having'danced around the cirle somi e   half dozen times, and having
gon'e through tile first'set, the leader stopped and raised the yellthe men of the party responded in the same way; and the outsiders raised a most furious din of yells, as congratulatory to the
performance of the dancers, Here a'recess) of about a quarter of
an hour took place; and a confused scene of congratulations, talking, laughing and yelling, ensued. It may be that, during the
interv-al, many gallant things were said by the grotesque and gaudycl
beaux, or many witticisms and tender sentiments expressed by tlhe
fair Miami damsels; but of this we were not apprised. It is cer-: A.'wiTit;eo ed amd dieseribeld lby Ch:l. B. I. selloe,  sq.  (i)




34l                     TIHlrj[LICE!: MEIMcINEL MAEN
tain, however, thlls the men behaved with a great deal of gallantry t
and that no drinking or rowdying whatever occurred upon the
occasion. After the conclusion of the recess, the parties resum6d
their positions, and re-commenced the dance, The same mnusic~
dancing, singing, tinkling of bells, and yelling was repeated, as in
the first instance;  and thus continuing till about 1: o'clock at;
night, the party then break   up in one longo and loud round of yells."
With the red man, disease was the result of some natural derangement, and the iMedicinei an, often strangely skilled in an under;
standing of the kind, quality, and quantity of some peculiar natural
remedial, by the aid of his manipulative powers, at once set about
a cure on natural principles; and was seldom-in part because of
the greLt faith of his' ptient-baffled in his efforts of relief. Among
these, the Mia.mies, at different periods, as known to many early
settlers, had sbvbral Mfedicine Mten of remarkable ability.
The apparel and address of the warrior ever stood as a history of
his achievements in War-his body variously ta,ttooed-often with
objects representing different animals, &c., and frequently with the
most brilliant dyes; It was a custom in their ordinary adornments
to paint the end of the nose, and around the eyes, and the eye brows1
1With black or some bright colors, and the other portions of the face
w ith -ermilion, with perhaps stripes running from one point of the
face to the other. Especially-not raltogether unlike many of the
present civilization,-when visiting, or assembling in council, they
resorted to great pains in the arrangement of their dress, decorat:ion and painting of their persons and, what Marest wi-ote- years
ago, of the Illinois: Indians, was equally true of the Miamiesthey were "absolute masters of themselves, subject to no law."
Each seemed to have been in:t great degree7 at least, his own protector-and as often their own avengers, With the Indian, when
violence had resulted in the death, of a kindrd, at the hands of
another and different race or tribe, it was a steadfast belief that the
spirit of the deceased could not rest in peace or feel appeasedc until
a retaliation was consumnimated.t  To accomplish this, it is a noted
fact that an Indian would go a thousand miles for the purpose of
revenge, over hills and mountains, tthrough swamps and briars 
over broad lakes, rapid rivers, and deep creeks;  and all the way
endangered by poisonous snakes4 exposed to the extremeties of heat
and cold, to hunter and thirst. In the carrying out of this spirit
nations-t and families carried their feuds often to great lengths,
[ The MidiTmies called tihe Illinsoi tleii cousins.
- It is rell known ahere to manmy old sAttleris tl hat an Indian; ma ny Syare ago, followed whlite man; who' had killed liis brothler, frorn point to point, lor two yealrs, )e'foeit
he succeeded int avetiingl, ti1e defth itli his'elaflti-e; by killing the man he hltad so'1log
rnid so assidlously fohlio':el  iid a t w ltehe'd.
There had long existed a spirit of  betiinosity between tie 1aiamies and the Pottiawatt;mi:eis and the latter were very sre;to qtit the neilhbolliood of the former if in
liquor.'his may have  lrislen iln lart l'.romn ihe ftc' that, in the"' early pealtof the 1th
century', the P.ottawattanmis had crowded   the -i'hiat  ties firL I tihei-r dwellingll, at Chlica1
go.''-Sl:ehoolerav ft.




HIISTORY 0    IFORT WAYxNE &
irloml which a reconciliation was only attainable through      gifts of
s.ufficient eluantity " to cover up the graves of the dead."  The presents'once accepted served both to pacify the living and the dead.*'
In the relationship of families, emblems served for names.         The
figure of a crow, the hawk, the turtle~ &c., &c.G would serve as a
distinction or name- -as, among the civilized, one is known as thi
Brown, another the Smith family, and so on; which, to the Indian,
was as rational and comlprehensive, as to us of to-day is our style of
distinction in this relation; and in many instancees, in so far, at least,
as real beaut>y simplicity, and convenience was wont to be manifest, was quite, as intelligible and serviceable as the present system
of civilization in this particular" The rose by mny other name would smnell as sweet".
At a late period in their'history, however, the AMiamies, through
their intercourse with the French and others, often adopted other
names -.as, in the case Of their chiefs, Le G-ris, Richatdville, La
i11Ontaine, Godfri, George Hunt, &c.,-the fir'st four being related to
families then of distinction in France. t
The quiet, persevering, determined nature of the Miami'es was
ever a matter of singular interest.  If the death of a brother was to
be revenged, they proceeded quietly, about the work. Patience, at
such a time, was called actively into play; and, if heed be, months
might roll away before a blow was struck.       As illustrative of this
iact, a few years prior to the war of 1812, a man of rather reckless
character, and \vho hated the Indian with a rancor only equalled
by his unyielding persistence in what he believed or surmnised to
be false or irue, reoardless of contradi'etidon or premonition by those
best able to give them. mibved to this point, and built himself a hut
a few miles from Fort Wayne, near Cedar Creeks         From   the first,
lie is said never to have lost an opportunity to speak his mind as to
the " rascally red skins; " and often used very severe language t:
R- Parkman.
frIn 1754 Gov. Monrris, addressing.( the Pennsylvan'iat Assemblv, said the Frenlch ware,
"mnaking a settlement of three hundred faThitie in the eountry of the Twightweas,"
(Minamies.) It ws'also in this year, that Benjamin?Iranklihi proposed the establishmerit of strong En'glish colonies in the territory north-west of the Ohio, as a means of
preventing "the dreaded junction of the i'renlch settleimeint ii;Canad'a ith those of
Louisana,"-tlie Doctor pro)osing to plant one'colony in the V'alleyr of the StAioto; to'
establish small garrisons at Bu ffal Creek, on the Ohio;'at the mouith'of Tiopga, eouth
side of Lake Erie; at IIHoleiokiing; and   at or hear the nouth, of the
Wabash. He presented also the expedienye of'captin/ing " S'aidhdky a Freneh fort
near Lake Erie," and also su.ggested that'" alnl he little Frenelh fortAs oiith and west of
the lakes, mqite to the Msississippi, be reinoved oir taken uand gareioioned by the English."
Every fort," said he, " skhold bhae a sm,1all Nettleblent aromtnd it; as the fort would'roitect the settleis,'ind the jetltels defenld the fot, Atid suipply it with provisions."
T[lhe propositi6nis thus pre'iented b.;y Dr. Frntkli~it were but foreslhadow ings, in part, at
leaost, of the results thiat folloved but a fe(w yvear later, when tlhe English beeame MtI;
telmporir  masters of b.sout e t  altl the li'ttle 1trenchl forts south and wet, of the lakes.".rovidenee hfad not thlen enabled tihe Doctor to see the groat fuiture that was before himi
vwhen the illnmimriti'rtis of'76 were to begin a new eia in fortifications and free institutions.
Ais r7ia. tecl _ y i e c?-b e  -tPelmier, e and told the wriiter i)v Mr, Ltrnis Pelt itr, son of lte




3,d               A't~-UN TIA1DEN1'2T.
express his antipathy towards them. Some time subsequent to hIis
settlement, as mentioned, his horse strayed away, and, after a fruitless search, made bold to accuse the Miamies of having stolen the
animal, and declared that he would kill some one of the Indians for
it. Talking thus loudly on one occasion, in the hearing of the
elder Peltier, long a trader among the Indians, in this and adjacent regions, and who knew the Indian character well, Mr. P. very
readily told him that he did not believe the Indians had taken his
horse, and. that he would advise him not to interfere with them —
that lhe would stufle for it if he did. But the man was resolute in
his belief and determination, and paid but little attention to the
advice of'eltier, and went away. Not logr after this, walking along
near the St. Joseph, a short distance above the confluence of the St.
Joseph and the St. Mary, with his gun on his shoulder, the stranger
suddenly observed an Indian a short distance in advance of him,
near the edge of the river, fishing. The season of verdure and
sweet-scented flowers had come again-it wai spring-time, " ever
merry Ma:y "-and the birds were again singing their sweet and joyiul notes  The lost horse had not yet been found, and niow was a
good opportunity to " kill an 1Injun," thought the man. Looking
carefully about him, in every direction, and seeing no one, he took
deliberate aim and fired. The shot proved effectual-the Indian
rolled from his position, and expired. Again looking carefully 
about him, to ascertain, if possible, if any one had witnessed the act,
and observing no one, he at once approached the body, placed some
stones in the red man's blanket, in order to sink the carcass, then
wrapping the blanket about the murdered Indian, hurled the body
into the stream, from whence he carefully strode away, gloating
within himrself at his seeminge seccess.
But, lo onl the opposite side of the stream, concealed by a thick
underbrush, lay, unobserved, with eyes glaring upon the entire
action of the new-comer, a faithful squaw of the murdered Indian,,
who, though giving no warning of the danger that stood so near
her companion, fearing lest she too might fall a victim to his work
ot death, yet bore testimony to the whole scene, and soon gave
warnino to her Indian friends as to what had occurred. All was
lquiet-a resolution was quickly formed. " White mian must die,"
they whispered among themselves. The shade of their murdered
brother called for revenge.
The conduct of the stranger quickly reached the ears of M.r. P.,
whot readily surmised the result, and watched the course of events.
Time wore away-months passed-the new-comer had found his
horse-and all seemed to have been forgotten; when lo! one bright
rmorning, in the month of October, the sun's march, the falling leaves
of Autumn, and the chill winds, all. giving token of the approach of
winlter —the little log-cabin of the stranger was seen to be in ruins,
and the inmates gone, no one knew whither, save the friends of the
murdered Indian and the Great Spirit of the red man. *The revenge




ISTuorY OF FO-I  T W rAYNE. 
w7as complete, and the departed spirit of their murdered brother
could now rest in peace.
How many similar tragedies may have been enacted in the
regions of Ke-li-ong-a during the period of Indian life here, we
know not; but doubtless many a tragic event of this kind took place
at this point, now kno.wn only in the unwritten pages of the Past.
As the head of each family was its chief, so each village had its
head chief or sachem; and though the villagers were by no means.'stricted in their individual relations, each fatmily being privileged
to exercise its own peculiar ideas of domestic life, &c., independent
of the other, if desiring, in every village,-yet, in a general sense,
the habits and customs of each village and family were much the
came among, not only the Miamies, but most tribes of the northwest.
The rule and power of control of a chief, sachem, medicine man,
prophet, or indeed any member of a tribe, much as with the present
state of civilization in America and other parts of the globe, depended largely upon the amount of eloquence the speaker could      bring
to bear upon his people-a distinction for bravery, or the strongest
will, as often gave the Indian prominence among the tribes as those
acquiring and exercising power by hereditary descent; and while,
in many respects, the government of the Indian seemed to partake
of the Monarchical, it was yet of the Democratic order; for no Muestion of grave importance ever presented itself'for consideratioii, but
there was sure to follow an assemblage of the braves in council,
w-here no action would be concluded wherein "the people; weire
averse."  And it was at such times that the eloquent and sternwilled often held sway."*
To preserve a record of treaties, was to carefully lay by their
wampum belts.     In cases of important councils between nations,
exchange of gifts and belts was mutual, by which each speaker Las
also greatly aided in memory.   The holding of a bundle of s1mall
Oticks, of a certain number, by the speaker, on such occasions was
also common, for each of which, the envoy from one nation to another
would recite a message;t and messengers were always selected with
l" it is of the Natcllhez Indians that the most wonderful tales of despotism and aristo-,cratic distinctions have been proiuln.ted. Their chiefs, like those of the Hurons. Nwre
esteemed descendants of the sun, haL( greater power than could haver been established1
in the colder regions of tle north, where the severities of nature compel the savage to
re'ly on himself and be free; yet, as the Natchez, in exterior, resembled the tribes by
wlhich they were surrounded, so their customs and institutions were but more marked.
developeements of the sam-e characteristics. Everywhere at the north, there was the
sane distribution into families, and t.he same order in each separate town. The affairs
relating to the whole nation, were transacted in general counci, and with such equality.
and such zeal for the common good, that, while any one minght have dissented with
impunpity, the voice of the tribe would yet be unanilous in its decision." —.Bancroft's
His. U. S., vol. 3, pages 278 and 279.
+Referring to the Indians of the north, Bancroft says: Tlheir delight was il assenc
bling toether, Ild listeniin to nessengelrs from abt1  d. Seated in a semicircle on t;ih
ground in double or triple rows, with the kne(es almoslt mieting tile fase —the pa.iinted
and tattooed,chiefs adorned i ith skins and pluniies, with tihe beaks of the red-bird, cor
the ela.ws- of the bla, —,a h  listlenlr perhll ps with a pile in hlits mnoulthl, and prsmervitn




a view is wNell to ability as to the knowledge of the task to be performed. And it is said that "often an orator, without the aid of
rank as a chief, by the brilliancy of his eloquence, swayed the
minds of a confederacy."
Another interesting feature in Indian usage, was the Peace-Pipe.
*or Friendly Calumet. The writings concerning the early missionaries, traders, explorers, and military officers, make repeated mention of it; and the beauty and simplicity of the custom mustbe readily seen and admitted. The calumet, to the red man, was always
esteemed and reverenced as the most sacred of all their emblematic relations and devices; and no village, in earlier times, when the
red man held sway over the -western wilds, was withlout its specially ornamnented calumet, —which was often adorned with the feathers
of the bird Qof liberty, the eagle, or other plumage or ornamental
devicep and always " consecrated in the general assembly of the
nation.  Th   m3essenger, traversing the wildest regions, on an
errandoffriendship,felt always secure,by a presentation of the peacepipe, from  all attack from  ferocious or unfriendly tribes. The
primitive custom of the. messengers of Peace, bearing the calumet,
was for the envoys to approach within a given distance of the village,
first making a loud noise, then seating themselves upon the ground.
Then the villagers, headed by their principal chief, or sachem, bearing the peace-pipe in his hand, all singing the Indian song of peace,
went forth to meet them.'Approaching the envoys, the latter rose
to greet them, they, too, chanting a hymn, "to put away all wars,
and to bury all revenge."  At once exchanging pipes, and smokinog
freely, peace was terminated, and the messengers were escorted to
the villages where it was made known, in loud declamation, that
the strangers, were friends; and a great feast of hominy, dog, and
bear's meat, was spread out and partaken of in honor of the messengers,
As the ancient Twightwee (Mfiami) villages, located within and,bout the present site of Fort Wayne, in the words of their famous
chief, Little Turtle, formed "that glorious gate which the Miamis
had the happiness to own, and through which all the good words of
their chiefs had to pass from the north to the south, and froml the
east to the west"' how many such solemn and interesting occasions
its that of exchanngi  the friendly calumet and entertaining the embassy of a distant tribe with a great feast, may have made the woods
and surrounding vales of this locality reverberate with the glad
strains of the Indian peace song and jubilant dance of the villagers,
none can now tell; yet the strong supposition is that there were
many such occasions here.
(t ep silence,-they would give solemn attention to the speaker, who, with great action
and energy of language, delivered his mesage; and, if his eloquence pleased, tlhey
eteemed him as a god. Decorium was never broken; there were never two speakelr
struggliing to anticipate each other; they did not express their spleen by blows; they
estrained passionate invectivet; the debate was never disturbed by an uproa r; quiec;tions.
6f o:rder-'wel unknown.''- -His. U. S. vol.p3, page 27'9.




IliSTOlUY (OF FoIir WAV;iNS.                39
The Indian, thoughl holding life as dear, perlaps, as mo.t mortals,
had, yet, withal, a singular disregard for death —a stqical indifference
and fortitude that rendered him  seemingly unsusceptible of pain;
and, as all history relating to the Indians most fully attests, at times,
could kill and scalp a savage or civilized foe writh as much ease
and zest as if partaking of a pot of hominy, or feasting upon a portion
of roast bear.
Some fifty years ago, a party of In'dians, as was often their habit
at that period, had conaregated about the little trading hut of J.
Peltier,-then conspicuous at the foot of the hill, j ust below  the ol4
fort,-l-ad becoming somewhat intoxicated, two of the party, of different tribes, became excited about som.e trivial matter, and one of
them drew a knife from his belt, and cut the other across the abTdomen so severely as to let his intestines partially out.?  Seating himself upon the ground, the wounded Indian soon deliberately drewr
his own knife, cut a piece of flesh from the outer part of the stomaclh,
and began to eat it.
The Indian cutting him, suddenly seeing this, proudly ejaculated
Del-ceauaweah! (that's a brave man, or he is a brave man ) i An(
to show his compassion for the wounded brave, he at once approach.
ed him, and, with a blow from his tomalhawlk, ended the further suffering of the wounded Indiant
In the ancient songs of the redl men there was always a vein of
disregard or contempt for death; and it was no uncommon thing
for the chiefs to declare that " the spirits on high would repeat their
names.")   Where they wished to' exhibit a spirit of defiance 
towards an antagonist, it was no unusual thing for the Indian to
prepare a red-colored belt, a small bundle of blo ody sticks'"and
dispatch themn to the enemy. In early times, the Indians were most
feared when they prowled about in small parties, laying in wait,
here and there-suddenly bounding upon a small settlement, or
waylaying the emigrant. Concealment and surprise constituted
their highest sense of warfare.'When least anticipated, they were
upon and scalping the early settler. And sad was the havoc many
times during the pioneer days of the western frontiersmen, On more
than one occasion, as subsequent pages will attest, has the tragedy
of an Indian massacre been enacted within the boundaries of the
territory of the Miamies.
*'Capt. Wells, who resided at this point for many years with the Mianies, while iln
Philadelphia with Little Turtle, in 1797, in a conversationr with the distinguished
French philosopher iind traveler, Count Volney, referiring to one of the chiefs of tll
Miamries, at old Fort Mianmis, here, known as Blue Joeky, said: " This man, (on one
occasion) when drunk, met an old enemy, to iwlhoin lie h11d bornte a grudge of twentytwuNo years standing. Blue Jocky seized the opportfunity aind killed him. Next day all
the farnily wree ill ar  to eve nte marms  c   to evene te  er.  c ce  t the fort, ad sad t t
comllniidin- officer, who repeated thle tale to me,'Let them kill ne. It is but riolht.
M1y heart betrayed me, and the liquor robbed me of my w its. But tlley threatenedtl to
kill my son, and that was not just. Father, ty to make it ll) fbor me. i will g'ive theti
all I have; my two liorsei, m ly trinkets, my  tweapon., exce, t oilne set, ant, i' tilat wii
inot content theml, I will -meet theml  at anty tilel and pi-acet, and. tlhy  niy' Iii. Im'."
For somec -ears after the nwar of 181'2, it'wasi  o u!i cnn o'ir)I thilin, for teml  t) ll:';lf
otiler htre in their drunken s-pr.i-  t,.l,' ou1  o  rS. (o ri s  ol d.




40                     T:INDIAN DI)ANCES
Every pe-ple, however barbarous or civilized, ever had their
seasons of relaxation and merry-making.'Among the most favorite pastimes of the Miamies, were their dances.
In the spring time, as a matter of reverence to the Great Spirit
(Much-a-te-Auceke),'. the man. with the black robe; the good man
or preacher," —asking him  o aid in the production or growth of a
bountiful crop, they had the corn-planting dance. A great deal
of importance was attached to this dance, which was conducted
with an air of marked solemnity and earnestness,-all the villagers
partaking in it.,
It, was a time-honored custom with the Miamies and most tribes
of the West, that when a member of a family died, a meeting of
the fam;ily and immediate villagers would take place at a certain
time, subsequent to the death of the person, with a view to replacing the deceased, which was done by means of a game of chance,
there being often a number of candidates for the place. The lucky
one at once fell heir to all the effects of the deceased, After which
they all joined in a merry dance, called the Reptlacement Dance.
The Beggar Dance'was also frequent here; but was seldom if
ever indulged in by the Miamies. The Pottawattamies,t who were
frequently here, with perhaps a few others of the Shawanoe, WVyan
dot, or Kickapoo nations, were the only ones who commonly indulged in this dance.
The object of the beggar dance was to obtain presents, or indeed.
anything the stranger, trader, or settler might feel disposed to give
them; and, with no covering on their bodies, but a part of a deer
or other skin about their waists, the rest of the body and face painted with some bright colors, with perhaps some gay ornament or
feathers, about their heads, often several in number, would pass
from agency to agency, in front of whose doors they would
go through the liveliest movements of dancing, singing, &c., which,
to the spectators, was often very amusing, and who seldom failed to
give the rude dancers some tobacco, a loaf or two of bread, some
whiskey, or other article that would be pleasing to them.
The Indians of the Northwest had many social pastimes, and
their complimentary dances were probably frequent. The " medicine-dance" was one of some rarity, which usually took place only
out of respect or courtesy to the medicine-men. In the complimentary dance, it was a custom to obtain permission of the party to'"be
complimented to dance for him." This granted, preparations were
made by painting the face elaborately, and marking the body,
which was usually bare about the chest and shoulders. In addition
to this, a profusion of ornaments, in the form of feathers, &c., were
added to the hair; and most " happy was he, who, in virtue of having taken one or more scalps, was entitled to proclaim it by a corresponding number of eagle's feathers. The less obrtunate made a substitute of the feathers of the wild turkey," or other game. For which
ipurose too, the fowls oftthe pioneers were often closely" plucked.", Jo)n P T'. [T,-fc;. c't;.   T,:'l'3  Pptl;tava-tt;anlis liired a few  mile3 norubh ol Fv. Wri.y'i,.




iIS'TO'IY O0' FolT WTAYNE.              -1I
The prepar;ations for the complimentary dance being ready, the
danicers congregated at some point selected, " and then marched to
the spot in view for the dance, attended by the dull, coarse sound
of the Indian drum and shee-shee-qua, or rattle. Arranging themselves in a circle, they would dance with violent contortions and
jesticulations, some of them graceful, others only energetical, the
squaws, who usually stood a little apart, and mingled their discordant voices with the music of the instruments, rarely participating
in the dance. Occasionally, however, when excited by the general
gaiety, a few of them  would form  a circle outside and perform a
sort of ungraceful up-and-down movement, which possessed no
merit, save the perfect time which was kept, and for which the
Indians seemed, without exception, to have possessed a natural ear.
The dance finished, which was often only when the strength of the
dancers was quite exhausted, a quantity of presents were brought
and placed in the middle of the circle, by request of the party compilimented. An equitable distribution of the gifts having taken
place, and the object of the gathering terminated, all withdrew:."':
The medicine-dance was mainly to celebrate the power and skill
of the MVedicine Man in thej cure of disease, and as a means of
respect to him as a supposed interpreter of the will and desires of
the Great Spirit, as related to the direction of his people.
Says Mrs, J. H. Kinzie, in her interesting narration of experiences and observations among the Indians of the North-West, during
the early part of the present century, " a person was selected to
join the fraternity of the'Medicine Man' by those initiated, chiefly
on account of some skill or sagacity that had been observed in him.l
Sometimes it happened that a person who had had a severe illness
which had yielded to the prescriptions of one of the members, was
considered a proper object of choice from a sort of claim thus
established. When he was about to be initiated, a great feast was
made, of course at the expense of the candidate, for in the most
simple, as in the most civilized life, the same principle of politics
held good, and' honors were to be paid for.' An animal was killed
pnd dressed, of which the people at large partook-there were
dances and songs and speeches in abundance. Then the chief
Medicine Man took the candidate and privately began to instruct
him in all the ceremonies and knowledge necessary to make him
an accomplished member of the fraternity. Sometimes the new'
member selected was yet a child. In that case, he was taken by
the Medicine Man so soon as he reached the proper age, and qualified by instruction and example to become a creditable member of
the fraternity.
"Each Aledicine Man usually had a bag or some receptacle in' The medicine,man "occasionally made offerings and sacrifices which weren
regarded as proI)itiato'y.  H'  X  le was also a' prophet,' in so far as he w\as, in
a limited degree, an instrvctor, but did not claim to possess the power of foretelling
t'utnre events." —"Wa —Bun, the' Early Day' in the North-West,"-pages 360, 361, and.:3ui'.




-4t2.THE 1:  Iu.NT i."G,'  1, A SSO Ni,
whichb was supposed to be enclosed some animal to whom in the
course of their pow-wows, he addressed himself, crying to him in
the note common to his imagined species, and the people seem all
to have been persuaded that the answers which were announced
were really communications in this form, from the Great Spirit.' The Indians appear," continues Mrs. Kenzie, " to have no idea
of a retribution beyond this life. They have a strong appreciation
of the great fundamental virtues of natural religion-the worship
of the Great Spirit, brotherly love, parental affectiQn, honesty, temper:ance, and chastity. Any infringement of the laws of the Great
Spirit, by a departure from these virtues, they believe will excite
his ang1er and draw down punishment. These are their principles.
That their practice evinces more and more," says shle, a departure
from them, under the debasing influences of a proximity to the
whites, is a melancholy truth, which no one will admit with so much
sorrow as those who lived among them, and esteemed them a quarter of a century ago, before this signal change had taken placet"
There were many dances, however, among the Miamies, {,s well
as many periods of the year in which they indulged in sucli festivities, throughout their villages. Evening, and often through the
greater part of the night, during the milder seasons, was the usual
time for such enjoyment. Their music consisted, usually, of a deer
skin entirely free of hair, wlhich they stretched in some way, similar
to our common drum-headc and upon which their " music man "
would keep time and hum an air adapted to the Indian's style of
~3ancingl. It was very common on such occasions to have a large
pot of hominy cookirlg over a moderate fire, to which the dancerl
would occasionally repair and partake, all from the same spoon or
wooden ladel,
But the red man was never entirely fixed or permanent in his
location. Huinting and fishing occupied a very large share of his
time. The summer months especially, were much devoted to fish,
ing. Thie furry animnals and the deer, from which he expected each
season to realize a moderate income, with which to procure ammu-:lition, blankets, &c., for another season, were never disturbed by
the Indialn until the period arrived for their furs and hides to be
fully matured for the market. Then the Indians and their familes
(excepting there were some who, from age or infirmity, were unable
to go,) left their villages, and so!ught new homrles in the woods, or
near some large prairie, where the deer, the ottar, the raccoon, &c.,
were most abundant. And their return, to renew their old homes,
was only hailed by the springing of the early grass, or the joyful
song of some sweet bird of pa ssage that had again, at the first
tokens of Spring, ventlured a return to the Northwtest. And this
was life among the Miamies here, to a late period of their history,
This was life in the primitive wilds of the great Northwest a hundred and fifty years or more ago. lWhat a civilization ma.,y be ours
one hundred and fifty years hence 




CIHAPTEI2. IV,'The junqtioll of these rivers (the St. Miary and the St. Joseph)l, may even
olaimn a page il the annllls of tlhat monentous contest between French and lEnglisl
eivilization —between Romanism and Protestantism —which was waged with alternating success, and with short intervals of repose, for more than a hundred years, terminating, soon after the fall of Quebec, in the establishment of Anglo-Saxon
supremaey by the treaty of 1763."-Extract from a lecture of J. L. Williams, Esq.,
delivered in Fort WAayne, March 7, 1860.
Death of La Salle-A. line of stockade forts contemplated anid established by the
French-Progress of events following this novement of the French —Movements of
the English-rThe French becolme arolsed —Feuds of the Old World rekindled irn
the New-The French and the Int-lans-Washington sent as a Messenger —War
— Braddock's )efeat-Activity of the Contending Armies —Wolfe's Advance upon
Q.uebee —Final triumph of the English Army onl the Plains of Abraham —A iew
EInra dawned upon the New World.
-0 —--
(C. IXTEEN     hundred and eighty-two had passed.       The shouts
iiof'   vive le roi," by La Salle and     his voyagerrs, near the
r2, mouth aio the great Father of Waters had long since died awsray
s on the still air, and La Salle himself fallen a victim, on the
D shores of Texas, to the treachery of bis followers.  I699 came,
Lemoine d'Iberville had planted a little colony on the newly-possessed territory of Lotisiane. And again years sped awvay. The
little settlement upon the newly acquired dominion of the South
grew and prospered amid the spontaneous growths of nature everywhere about it; and the French Government had befgun seriously
to contemplate the union of her Northern and Southern extremities
by the arrangement and establishment of a continuous line of stockade forts and settlements through the interminable forests and
prairies, along the shores of beautiful rivers, by the margin of
dreary lakes, lowly vales, and towering cliffs-from    the river St.
Lawrence to the dark blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The middle of the 18th century came, and the great enterprise was rapidly
hastening toward a complete consunmation. A        fort on the strait
of Niagara stood in full view of, and guarded tihe entrance to, the
vast interior extending towards the great Southwest. A second
sprang' up at IDetroit, overlooking and controllingp the route from
Lake Erie to the North. A third soon stood defiantly borth at St.




44             Plu-)OGulSS OFF FIRIENTCH SU ETTLEMENTS.
Mary's, guardinog with jealous eye all access to Lake Superior. A.
fourth was completed at lichillimackinac, which stood guard to
the mouth of Lake Miclhigan. Soon a fifth appeared at Green Bay,
and a sixth at St. Joseph, guardingl the routes to the great Father
of Waters, via the Wisconsin and Illinois rivers; and two more, —
rmaking eight-one, Fort Miamies, near tlte confluence of the St.
Joseph and St. Mary's rivers, (in view of the present site of Fort
Wavne,),the pther, Fort Ouiatenon, on the WTabash, below Lafayette,
Small settlements of French soon sprang up at Kaskaskia, Cahokia,
and at other points, some in the territory of the Illinois Indians,
along the Illinois river, while, here and there along the banks of
the Mississippi, were to be seen, amid the thick jungle, long peculiar to this broad and beautiful river, an occasional stockade fort;
while, upon reaching the present site of the city of Natchez, on the
Mississippi, they were met by their kinsmen of Louisiana, extending
their settlements to meet the voyaygeurs roiom the shores of Canada.
France was now a power in the great Northwest. Her military
strength was seemingly complete. The great forest was hers.
She amalgamated with the wild tribes of the land wherever she
went, and thus became a part of the great family of natives at every
point. This alliance grew into a warm attachment, and the Indians
knew the king of the French as their Gre  at Fater, and long looked up to him, through his subjects on this side of the great waters,
as a protector and aid in time of need. From the French they early
obtained guns, powder, and balls, and from them soon learned their
use in hunting, whereby the French obtained vast quantities of valuable furs at such prices as they were pleased to dictate. Tihe
missionaries pursued their labors, and at every post were to be met
with their crosses and symbols; many of them, in accordance witl.
their peculiar school and ideas of religious zeal, were ready to
suffer martyrdom, if need be, even at the hand of the savage.
Time wore on. The French settlements and forts htad succeeded
but lpo:orly. They had sadly neglected agricultural pursuits. Speculation had warped and twisted their better natures, and their former sense of civilization had now become so strongly interwoven
with those of the habits and customs of the red man, that they had
well-nigh lost that higher feelingc of mental and physical growth
upon which the white race had so long prided itself and sought to
attain.
And as they were often wanting in sobriety and civic continuity,
so tile French Government at that period, because of its ambitious
tendency and ardent desire for dominion and conquest, with other
causes of a no less deleterious character about the French court,
was but feebly prepared to render the necessary aid or give that
impetus to her colonial settlements in America tlhat would have
secured at least a moderate expression of prolonged and energetic
civil culture.
17548 atlength cume, aind France was still secure in her posses-:Sce Smliith's History of Canada, I.  3Jd.




iIISTOrY OIF FouTr I,'VAYE,            4 5
sions in the iew World. HIer line of stockade forts were still maintained. A new scheme had arisen in the mind of the somewhat
acute Count Galissonniere* of bringing over to the NeW World ten
thousand French peasants to be bettled upon the regidns bordering
the Ohio, which, at that time, the French government was proposing to embrace within her already extensive domain. Many of
these peasants were also to inhabit the lake borders. While thus
passing their time in the castle of St. Louis, at Quebec,-civilians';
soldiers, and men of State,-the English lion had been quietly
looking about in search of prey, and now began to move cautiously along the beautiful valley of the Mohlawk, and, soon issuing
froml the lowlands, he was heard to roar along the eastern slopes of
the Alleghany Mountains. His march was still westward, and
gradually onward he moved, until at length, he saw beyond, in the
distance, where here and there an open spot was visible, small moving objects, and the smoke of the Canadian hut continued for a time
to curl peacefully away amid the surrounding forest and over the
broad blue face of the great lakes of their domninion. Forests fell
before the westward march of the English settlements; " and
while, on one side of the Alleghanies, Celeron de Bienville was
burying plates of lead, engraved with the arms of France,;7 says
Parkman, "the ploughs and axes of Virginia woodsmen were
enforcing a surer title on the other.". The right of possession was
soon to be tested. The two powers of the day were destined, ere
many moons, to measure swords and struggle fcr supremacy on the
new Continent.
The peculiar intimacy of the French with the Indians had longgiven them a strength of no mean consideration. The opposite
was true of the English; and often, instead of drawingo the Indians
about them in a spirit of amity and friendship, by making them
many little presents of trinkets, &c., as did the French then and
long before, the phlegmatic nature of the Englishman drove him
sullenly away. The Jesuit missionaries, too, still exerted a wide
influence, in their peculiar way, over the western tribes. The
English had no missionaries. They were simply agriculturalistsdesired to till the soil and pursue a moderate, though sure system of
commerce. The Firench were principally fur traders, and their
government had long been actuated by, and inflated with, a spirit
of conquest and dominion. The one was heretic to the other-had
long been so; and the bitter feuds of the Old World were now
about to take form and action upon the soil of the New. England
was stern and resolute. The " Church of England " was the Englishman's church, and his God was not the God of his rival. The
" Church of Rome" was the church of the Frenchman of the day;
and his God Was not the God of the Englishman. The contest was
destined to be a bitter one, and the vantage ground seemed all on
the side ofthe French. Time wore heavily on. 1749 came. The
English had begun to make some inroads upon the French domin-.seo t Higstor y o f, Ca na n., T, 2, 14.




4  LADIn'G EVEisNTS N rTI-IE FEiSiENC  AND Ib IAN WikLB~
ions as traders; and it was in this year that La Jonquihere, then
governor of Canada, made the discovery that, a number of Englishl
traders had coie to Sandusky,* and "' were exerting a bad influence
upon the Indians of that quarter."    The  Canadian Governor, says
the account, " caused four of the intruders to be seized near the
Ohio and sent prisoners to Canada."     Events were now surely and
successively " casting their shadows."    The English, at that, period
being much disaffected and broken in their govermental relations,
to awaken at Newv TYrk. Philadelphia, Virginia, and other points, a
policy that would attract the attention df, and draw      the Indians
to them, seemed most difficult indeed. Even the powerful Iroquois
or Five Nations, then dwelling, for the most part, in the Province
of Newt York, ald who, from an ill-will unthoughtedly engendered
by Champlain,.in May 1609, in uniting, at Quebec, with a party of
Algonqiuin i    andsians against them, cau3ing their defeat and utter
rout near the ricky promontory ofTiconderoga, and who, therefore,
durinog many years Mubsequent; were a great source of trouble to
the French settlements in Canada, well nigh, at times, desolating
the homes and fields of her interior provinces-even this formidable tribe, the English failed to win over to their cause.   And " the
cold and haughty bearing of the English officials," together with
often depriving them, by    unfair means, of their annual presents
from  England; the habit of arranging        negotiations with   them
through a class of rum   dealers, persons looked upon with but little
regard by this powerful tribe; with other causes of complaint arising' from neglect,t &c., are said to have quite disgusted " the proud.'chiefs" of the Iroquois..:
It is true, these causes and disquietudes did not wholly apply to all
parts of the English Provinces..The Friends, and some other souls,
were exceptions, mainly in a philanthropic sense; but these bodies
were usually small in      iumbbers, and   often ineffectual in their
efforts. No such condition of affairs was anywhere visible among
-T*His of lanada, I., 214.'ilMassachusetts Historical Collection, 1st series, VII, G7.:+lAlonob the MSS. papers of the famous Sir W. Johnson, to the Board of Trade:
ijondon, dated May 24, ancd Nov. 13, 176i3, was the following:' We find the Indi-:ms, as far ba`ck as the very Confused mahuscript records in my possession, repeatedly
iubraiding their province for their negligence, their avarice, and their want of assistirg themn at a time when it was certainly in their pot-er to destroy the infant colony of
Cianada, althoiugh supported by many nations; and tliis is likewise confessed by the
x ritings of the mna ngers of these times."
"I apprehend tlha.t it will clearly appear to yon, thatt the colonies had, all alongi
neglected to uVltivate a proper understaniding with th1e Icndins, and from a mistakeni
hot;ion hinave greatly despised theml. withoilt consideiing that it is in theii' power to lay
wast e and delstroy the frontieis. This opinion arofe frbm our confidence in our scatt;ered numbers, and the lparsimony ofur people, who, from an error in politics, would
ihot expend live pounds to save twenty." Sir William was a wise manager of Indian
affairs, and ftlom  lone and clbse intimacy with many of the tribes of the North-East,
at an early period, became remarkable for his knmnledge of Indian character and the
strong inflrience he exerted over them. His headquarters, known as Johnson's Hall,
Were long at Oswegeo, N. Y., where great numbers of Indians were more or less always
atbout him, and \rWhither varictis tribes, through their chiefs and sachems, often repaired
to hold their council fires and treaties. And the Indians ever knew him as their great
fathler. Throuh}l his agency the Iroquois, in after years, became firm friends of t-he
] i.




iIsr.TOrY OF Fourr WAYr,                47
the French of the time. Their relations and developemenlts were
-tvidely different, So diligoent and careful Were they in their atteni
tions to the chiefs and others of the different tribes, that often oi
the approach of such to their forts, the loud roll of the drum or
booming of cannon would announce their coming; and this attention
was most pleasing to the red man, and made him to feel that he was
not only a.ower in the land, but welcome. At the tables of the
French officers " they were regoaled" and often bribed with medals
anddecorations,-scarlet uniforms, and French flags.  I'ar wiser
than their rivals, the French never ruffled the self-complacent di'c
nity df their guests; never insulted their religious notions; nor ridiculed their'ancient customs. Tiher met the savage half wa, and
ihoxWed an abundant readiness to " mould their own features after
his likeness.Y*, And it is noted that "'Count Frontenac himself, plulmed and painted like an Indian chlief, danced the war-dance and
yelled the war-song at the camp-lirps of his delightebd allies." Such
were the t eculiarities of the French —such their wisdom and sense
of harmony in so lar as related to the wild'tborigines of the ne)W
continent at that early period.
As little by little, the delicious fidit ripens, the flowers bud and
blossom, or the tiny acorn expands into the mig'hty oak of tlie
forest, so event followred eteunti a.. the leaves of Autumn whirl uponp
the passing breeze, and at lenglth disrobe the thick forest.
The movements and apprehienaions of the French steadily became
more and more apparent to the English. Soon a French Priest, of
the name, of Piquet, made bold, in the midst of his opposers, to
open a mission at the site of Ogdensburg, on the Sti Lawrence,t
mainly with a vi.ew to win the ifiendship of the Iroquois, in which
he was highly successful, having at one time gained the heart and
attention of a ver.y larce body of that famous confederacy, whichl
gave the English great unelasiness.' But Sir William J'orlson soon
began to exert a remarkable influence over the various tribes andl
at length succeeded in ganinng the attention of tlie Iroquois; and
not only did this tribe become friendly, to ma considerable degree,
towards the English, but the Delawarres and the Micamies, dwellinga,longr the Ohio, conme to regzard thenm  ith mu1h favor; while tlh'mass of the other triber' lying to the Nortl W t, estand  outh, stood.
itady at the bidding do their French fathler.
iMatters now began to assume a formidable attitude  The elnmity
of the rival colonies grew intense. Th'1hr lhatred had assumed a.double aspect of religious and. national antipathyo IFrmerly thd
Indians had been the instruments of Frencl aggressions upon tho
English settlements, ancd "' ith theml," says Parkman a" the very
nal me of Canada called up horrible recollections and ghastlv images|
the midnight massacre of Schenectady, and the desolation of many
Accounty of Adair, Post,'s Journals, Oroghan's Journal, and MSS. of Sixr Wmi.
Johnson, and others.                J       
}Iistory of New' Yorlk, L., 423.




CO3GMMENCE3ME:NT OF TIE FIrINCIT AND INI)DIAN WVrAR.
a New England Hamlet."    A French fort had been erected at'Crown Point, upon English territory.,The treaty of Utretcht and
confirmation of same at Aix la Chapelle, had made English ground
of Acadia; but a doubt as to the limits of the province soon sprang
up, and appointed commissioners, from both sides, failing to agree,
belligerant attitudes between the soldiery of the two nations, soon
became manifest on Acadian soil. Gist, surveyor, of the "Ohio
Company," which had been organizedin 1748, with a view to the
formation of settlements west of the Alleghanies; had made his way
to the falls of the Ohio. The Indians were staRtled. The French
soon snufbed the discontented air of the red man, and before the
surveyor and his party had scarcely begun their operations, the
French confronted thern and the work ceased.
1753 came. The season of verdure had approached. The birds of
the forest were already warbling their sweet notes of welcome to the
spring. The French had made their way across Lake Erie, and
Presque'Isle had already become a fortification. From Presque'Isle
they strode rapidly towards the Ohio. The news soon found its way
among the middle provinces, and Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia,
began at once to look calmly about him to select an efficient envoy
to bear a message to the invaders, ordering their immediate evacuation of the soil. GEORGE WASHINGTON, then in his twenty-first year,
was the one selected. Months had gone by. Spring had passed.
Another summer had ended-Autumn had left bear the trees, and the
cold bleak of winter had come again. The winds moaned through the
forest; and the fourth of December, 1753, saw Washington j ourneying along the banks of the Alleghany. Soon he reached the Indian
village of Venango, at the mouth of French Creek. The advanced
post of the French was there. The English trader, formerly at that
point had departed, and the French flag was flying over his cabin.
The French gave the young messenger a fair reception and hearing,
and bade him see the commanding officer at Le Boeuf, still above
Venango, on French Creek, whither Washington started and soon
arrived. Upon communicating with Legardeur de St. Pierre, the
commanding officer, le was told by the latter that he would send the
message to the Governor-General of Canada; that his orders were to
hold possession of the country; and that he would do it " to the best
of his ability." WVashington returned. The ultimatum  had been
revealed, and, at the opening of another spring, a large body of the
backwoodsmen of Virginia had formed themselves into a company
under Trent, as Captain. Soon crossing the Alleghanies, and descending to the point where now flourishes the city of Pittsburg, Pa., they
began the erection of a fort. Le Bciuf and Venango soon got scent
of it, and, sweeping down with a large body of French and Indians,
the fort of the backwoodsmen was soon evacuated. Then followed
young Washington at the head of a second party. Iteaching the
Monongahela, he threw up a temporary fortification, and one dark,
stormy nilht, M. Jumonville, with a French scouting party, Vwas sud



1-fISTORY O FFORT WAYNE.                49'denly surpfrisec and all taken prisoners by Washington and his
backwoodsmen. S6on evacuating this point, he made another halt
at the Great Meadows, where, behind some former entrenchments,
lie was soon assailed by nearly a thousand French and Indians,
Whom they fought niost valiantly, until the French beat a truceparley, and presented terms of capitulation; and Washington and
his men being free to move, soon began to recioss the mountains.
The Indians now began to wonder at these movements upon their
soil-two foreign parties struggling for a territory that belonged to
leither, had aroused their attention, and the red men soon -began
to see that. as one of their sagacious chiefs suggested, a few years
later, the French and English were very much "like the two edges
Of a pair of shears," and that they, (the Indians) were "the cloth
Which was being cut to pieces between them."
The war dog now began to howl fiercer than ever. 1755 found
the courts of London and Yersailes still miaintaining diplomatic
relations, and while yet persisting in a desire for a peaceful adjustnient of affairs, they were both arranging f6r a conflict of arms in
the New World. Braddock, with a considerable English fleet, soon
sailed frio the harbor of Cork, in Ireland; and, a little later, a French
fleet put to sea from Brest, under command of Baron Dieskau.
While the English fleet came safely over, and landed her troops as
designed, the French Were less fortunate, and lost two of their vessels by drifting, in a fog' too Hear the guns of a strong British
fort, near the banks of Newfounidland, who took the vessels, after
a short contest, and made prisoners of the crew. The British now
ordered a general attack upon the French marine, and before the
end of this year, had captured three hundred French vessels and
some ei:ght thousand of her sailors.
The French were discomfited, but not beaten. Braddock became
commanider-in-chief of the English forces in America. Negatiation's
were soon broken off between the two great poweirs, before which,
however, tihe English ministry hdl hit upon a plan by which they
proposed to strike a simultaneous and general blow against the:French on the new continent, and thus, if possible, to sweep them
froni the landc at once, as it were. The plan of attack was to move
upon Acadia, Crown Point Niagar'a, and Iort D)u Quesne, (Pittsbnurg) —Braddock, with his troop's from the Old World, aided by two
regiments of provincials, to secure the latter point. But he was
a new comer ill the land and knew but little of the perils and difficulties to be encountered. He ewas not "' the right man in the right
place " for such a field of actiof at such a time, in so far, at least,;as ultimate success was concerned. Having explained, however,
to tlle sev-e;al governors of the Provinces his intentions, he began,
in a astern., Eastel'e anid'igi d manner, the adjustment of his plans;'which being c;'onsummlated, he took up his line of nmarch towvard thle
borl'es'of V.i.rginia, and soon encamped at Fort Ciumberland. Weeeks
"pass'ed iwav in preparation,. Tlhe Ibac kwoodmnme: kne(w how to
(0)




50        BRIADDOcOcKS i\ARCIO- UPON IORT UD QCuEszxrE.
sling an axe, but were little acquainted with the close drilling and
sterner discipline of the Braddock school. He was often out of
humor Wvith them-abused his contractors, for obtaining bad horgseg
and said hard things of the country and its people generally. But
the hour of march at length came. June, 1755, saw the army of
Braddock on the move, with an immense baggage, for Fort Da
Quesne, —the axemen felling the trees, and opening the way for
the advancing forces. "Large bodies move slowly." The opening
was rough, and all was tedious. Nearly a month had passed, and
on the eighth of Julyi an advance body of some twelve hundred.
men, with the less cumbersome baggage and artillery, stood upon
the bank of the Monongahela, about fifteen miles from Fort 1D)
Quesne. A rocky barrier, and somewhat uneven ground, prevented
a direct passage to the fort, and an order from the general to cross
the river with a view to finding a better path, and then to recross
it again a few miles still lower down, was readily entered uponD and
the army soon made the first crossing, and rapidly filed along the
shore, all aglow with joy at the prospect of a speedy arrival at
the fort.
Du Quesne was already in the hands of the French. Bands of
Indians and French scouts had spied the approach of Braddock.
The fort was all alive with preparation. Retreat was the first thought
of Contrecceur, its commander.  But Beaujeu, his captain, said
g~hJt. His suggestion was listened to and accepted; he at once pro-.
posed to lead a band of Indians and French to waylay and intercept
the farther'march of Braddock. The camps of the fierce Caughnawages, Ottawas, Abenakis, Ojibwas, and Hurons, were near and
soon reached by Beaujeu, who assembled the warriors, and at once
threw the hatchet on the ground before them.*  All was hesitancy.
Again he appealed to them, and still they were silent. At length
he approached them with a stern resolution. " I am determined to
(go," he shouted. "What," continued Beaujeu, "will you suffer your
father to go alone? I am sure we shall conquer." He succeeded, and,
on the miorning of the ninth of July, word having reached them that
the English were near, the chiefs collected their braves; all painted
their faces, greased themselves, whooped, danced, and " hung feathers in their scalp. locks." All was heroism and determination with
them. Great qulantities of gun-powder and bullets were given them,
atid, with some two hundred and fifty French soldiers, to bring
up the rear, the savages, band after band, glided wildly away to the
forest, A few miles brought them to, a thick clump of woods, near
a path leading to the river', which was close by- and where two
ravines formed a most remarkable ambuscade, sufficient in extent to
containrL and conceal " t leist te t t /en thou.8and men;7 "and the savages,
with Beaujeu and h. m.en, were here soon concealed, with guns
all ready for actionl. T'll- drtins of the advIeincing army were beat-;[ng. It; was nmidsumrmeir. All Was bright and beautiful. The sun.Whieih., if Nackwi eu> e F the I.I WndIm, mrcnma that t{y wrtmid,4,iu i tm fi(.^.




HISTORY O-i FORT WAY-NE. 
shone forth in all his splendor, and the wild flowers spangled the.orest at every side, freighting the undulating currents with delicious
odor. On came the armyofBraddock. The fated spot was at hand.
The army filed aloig the little road leading to the river, and began
to re-cross. A.ll over, they indifferently continued their march,
with no scouts in front or at the side to give token of danger. Soon
the ~avine was neared. Upon every side there seemed a carrier of
some kind-thick trees, close underbrush, high grass~ and heavy
fallen timber-and their progress was tlow, while a rapid retreat,
with such an army, would have been utterly impossible. Lo! a sudden whoop from the savages, a volley of musketry froh behind the
ambuscade of the enemy, soon told the sad story. No one had seen
the peril. The English grenadiers were confounded, and many fell.
The survivors returned the charge. The resolute Beaujeu was killed, and the Indians wavered, but his second, Diimas, rallied them to
the charge, and in the front the Canadians and French poured a
heavy volley, while the Indians did a similai execution on the right.
and left. The whole body of the army soon felt the charge; dismay
and disorder took possession of the soldiery. The advancing columns fell back upon the main body. The enemy was everywhere
wholly or partially concealed. Few were to be se'eh. Yell upon
yell resounded at'very side. Every tree-'every log —served as a
place of concealment- and every shot told its own sad tale. The grenadiers had never seen or heard the like before. Hfddling together
in crowds, each seemed struggling to form a shield and barrier of the
other. Their muskets were as oftea fired in the air as towards the
enemy; and many fell at the hands of their own comrades. The
officers were generally brave and active. Braddock, though seemingly fearful in the onset, had five horses shot under him. The Virginians, like the Indians, at length took to the trees. Braddock rallied
them into the ranks again, and the enemy mowed them down with.
terrible effect; and soon Braddock himself fell, and was borne from
the field. Washington was there, as if taking his first great lesson
in. warfare. I-Ie rode heroically through the ranks. Two horses
were killed under him, and four bullets pierced his clothes, says the
account;*^ but he came )ff unhurt. Gates and Gage were there,
The former was shot through the body —the latter, badly wounded.
Out of eighty-six officersj but twventy-th-ree escaped injury, Of the
twelve hundred who crossed the Monongahela., seven hundred were cut
down and wounded. The Virginians suifered muuct, Their bravery
was great. The grenadiers quailed. The open fields of the Old
Worldkwere notithere. Tie work of death continued three hours.
There was no relief but retreatt and the remaining body precipitately
turned back and crossed the:lQonongahela; The enemy pursued
only to the river-. Tliie:iout was complete, and the field left to tlhe
enemy to plunder and  cal.p.
acSre SpaRlk'i s  ijfe o)f Watf ig'tmTn, I. (;7




52        MO VEMENTS AGAIHS5T ACADIA, NIAGARA, ETC.
Braddock's defeat, and the fording-place became memorablP.
The rout continued to Philadelphia. Meeting the rear division of
Dunbar, the panic communicated to the balance of the divisions
and cannon, baggage, wagons, &c., were destroyed, and left behind;
The frontier settlements were passed and left to the ravages of
thb savage men, Who, soon after, waged a destructive war upori
them.
The expedition ag'ainst Acadia resulted in the speedy reduction
of that point; but three thousand inhabitant' thereof, stoutly refluing
to subscribe to the English oath of allegiance, were speedcily placed
upon vessels and shipped to British dominions.
The movemefit against Niagara failed entirely-the forces being
unable even to reach the falls. The one against Crown Point, in
part, at first, much like Braddock; were surprised by the enemy, —
French and Indians,-in a thick, woody ambuscade, and badly cut
up; but afterwards rallied with superior force, and the victory on the
beautiful borders of Lake George, under Sir William Johnson, was
considered tolerably complete and decisive.
Five wearisome years thus passed away-Indians', English, and
French waging a ceaseless warfare upon and destroying each other,
in surprising, cannonading, and also attacks upon defenseless settle~
ments by the savages. Creat suffering necessarily awakened;trono~ efoirts and energy on the part of both the French and the
English.
In 175S, from Cape Breton and Nova Scotia, exthnding to the
Ohio river, and along the bordering regions of Lake George, the
war between the rival claimants became rife again. Lord' Abercromrbic was in command of the English forces of America, withI
some fifty thousand men under him; and with lMontcalm, who had,
about two years'before, with a, superior force of French and Indians,,achieved many important victories in the capture and destruction
of Oswego, the reduction and capture' of Fort Williarm Henry-the
aspect of affairs began to assume ancother and different shaspe. The
English now began to regoain lost ground and. to capture other im)portant points. The formidable fortress of Louisburg was taken 
Fort DuQuesne, (Pittsburg-lost by Braddock)-soon fell into English hanus. Bradstreet soon struck a favorable blow, and captured.
Fort Frontenmac. ]Lord Abercrormbie, with a force of some sixty
thousand men, advanced upon Ticonderoga.(, and thouch the many
brave HioghlnUiders under him were badly cut up-though a retreat
became necessary, friom the great disadvantacge of the attack,-yet
the English inever lost heart, but pushed forward with renewed vigor.
Canada was to be reduced and taken. A new plan of ass alin: the
provincec, fromn thlree sides, founid; l!odement in the British mnind
(iGeneral P rideaux was to mnove upon Nig'ara fr-om the west; Ti.conderoga and (rovtwn Point were to be reduced or captured from the
south bv GeneraVl Amherst; rwhile theebrav' Wolfe, fiom the east,
wa~s to move upon Quea) e. Geeral P:ide:'i olth:firs:, te h1avin




1s1iTOuY OF 1OK1 o  rAYNE             5
been. kilecl by the bursting of a cohorn, the conmmand and capture
1f Niagara fell upon Sir Willam Johnson. The loss of Niagara was
equal to the loss of the Province, and the French began to exhibit
strenuous efforts to save the fort and beat back the enemy. The
French and Indian forces then holding Detroit, PresquelIsle,Venarlgo
a:.nd Le Bceuf, were speedily ordered to the rescue of Niagara. Sir
William'radvanced upon the enemy.  They soon fled, and for
live miles Sir William pursued the retreating forces. The success
of Niagara was complete. Amherst's advancement upon Ticonderoga was the signal for its destruction, atnd the French blew it
up, passing dovwn Lake Champlain to Crown Point, whither they
soon retreated, and concentrated their forces upon Isle Aux Noix.
Preparing formidable breast-works here, they determined to brave
the worst, and put a stop, if possible, to the further invasion of the
enemy. But winter came, and the armies ceased hostilities for a
season.
The rigid winter months soon passed.-M-ay had glided into June,
and Wole, with a   -n arny of eight thousand men, was sailing up the St.
Lawrence. Soon forming an encampment upon the Island of Orleans,
Quebec, with her" c hurches and convents of stone; its ramparts,
bastions, and batteries "-high cliffs, and the noted castle of St.
Louis, all in full view, —he began to survey the field of operations.
Still beyond the rocky promontory which formed the base-work of
the boasted city, presenting a continuous line of intrenchments and
batteries for some distance along the St. Lawrence, his right resting on Quebec and the river St. Charles, lay the army of Montcalm, fourteen thousand strong. Every aspect of nature seemed to
have conspired against the operations of Wolfe. A thick forest
shielded Montcalm in the rear; opposite stood the towering promontory of Point Levi, and to hi, left appeared the cascade and gulf
of Montmorenci. The task befolre Wolfe was herculean. "I have
this day (Dec. 1, 1758,) signifiic to Mlr. Pitt," wrote Wolfe to'Wini
Rickson, "that he may dispose qfmy slight'carcass as he pleases, and
tliat I amn ready for any undertaking within the reach and compass,
of my skill and cunning. I amn in a very bad condition, both w ith
gravel and rheumnatism: but I ladc much rather die than decline any
kind of service that offers; if I followed my own taste, it would leiad
me into Germany and if my poor talent was consulted, they should
place me to the cavalry, because nature has given me good eyes,
and a  lW~armth of temper to follow the first impressions. HoIoever,
it is not our part to choose, but to obey." The meridian of the
31st of July, 1759, had passed. Wolfe had. determined to move
upon Montcalm's fiont, and was soon embarked with a strong force,
Heavy cannonading from his vessels, soon ena bled him to oiain a
landing" just above the mouth of the MontnIorenci." The armbition of the grenadiers and Royal Aimericans " o'er leapedl itself."
Eager for the victory, they spranll ulpon the shore. Ill ly direct;ed
and without ordersi, with loIud shouLs  -th!ey ruslled o ve r ihe llaii




1-                WOLPTFE,:OE-  QUI(EBEC
and began, in the face of a terrible fire of the enemy, to clamnber
up the ramparts of the French. Hundreds of their slain soon covered the slopes. A moment of comparative stillness soon elapsed.
The great volleys of smoke arising from the heavy cannonading
had been effectual in attracting thick clouds over the scene of action, and a pelting rain put a stop to the bloody contest. Night
set in, A retreat was ordered. The surviving forces regained their
vessels, and, as they moved away, the loud vive Ie oroi from the
ramparts, and the wild whoops of the Indians, as they descended
the heights to tomahawk andt scalp the wounded, and plunder the
the dead, all told how complete they esteemed the victory.
Wolfe was sad. " More than four hulndred of the flower of his
army had fallen a useless sacrifice.  The vital powers of his rather
slender frame had been greatly overcome, and a burning and protracted fever confined him for a period of several days to his bed;
and here it was, while suffering under the weight of a painful
fever, that his soul seemed to rise above the surrounding obstacles
of success, and enabled him to conceive the plan of future triumph.
The scheme thus evolved was deep and daring. The army was to
be divided into two divisions,-one, by seeming attacks, to engage
the attention of Montcalm before Quebec-the other tq move, at
night, above the place, on the north side, and scale the rugged
heights of Abraham, September came, and all was readiness.
All worked well. The plan developed was pushed forward, and on
the night of the 12th of September, clear and beautiful-the stars
looking down with a glorious harmony upon the scene-noiselessly,
the vessels of Wolfe floated down the stream to the point of embarkation.  Qui vive? " cried a sentinel of the French, as he
caught a glimpse of the moving objects.
" La FJance! / was the word echoed back by one of the captains
of the fleet,
"A  qzuel regiment?' enquired the French guard. " De cl
Ieine "' was the ready response of the captain.:
The sentinel, thinking *no ill, and as a vessel was hourly looked
for from Bougainville, all suspicions were hidden in the darkness
of the hour, and the English fleet passed on. Soon another summons from a sentinel brought forth similar responses from the captain of the English vessel, and all was well. The designated point,
at the base of the heights, was reached,-ever after memorable as
"WVolfe's cove.;  The ascent was very great. Wolfe felt doubtful.
Said he, to one of his officers, "y ou can try it, but I don't think
you'll get up."
Soon one Donald McDonald, the same, doubtless, who had just
before so readily responded to the French sentinel, began to scale
the heights. Again came a challenge from a guard above. The
-'This was the name of a corps under tlhe Frenchl commander, Bougainville, a fact
known to the captain referred to.




HIS'OERY OF' FORT WAYNE.               55
reply was prompt and satisfactory. He had come, said he in
F;ench, to relieve him, (the French sentinel) and the guard was
silenced. Close upon the ascent of McDonald, came a number of
Highlanders, scrambling up by every available means-and still
they came, until the height above swarmed with the English. soldiery. A fierce resistance ensued between the guards and the
English. The guards were compelled to give way. Wolfe's idea
and the stratagem of the Highlander had done the work. Morning came, and with it the clear sunlight. The Plains of Abraham
presented to the opposite ramparts of Quebec a scene of terror and
dismay. The shining bayonets of the enemy, "' and the dark-red
lines of the English forming in array of battle," readily told the
French what was coming. The long siege had already greatly exhausted the French supplies-their militia had withdrawn for
want of food. Their alarm drums were beaten; and all was excitement. 6They have gotten to the weak side of us at last, and
we must crush them with our numbers," said Montcalm; and the
French soldiers began to move to the front of the English. Firing
began, and nine o'clock saw the two armies confronting each other.
Montcalm soon began to advance. Coming yet nearer, his troops
opened a heavy fire upon the English. All was still in the English
ranks. No one ventured to pull a trigger, until the army of Montcalmn had advabnced within some forty yards of the regulars. "' At
once,9 runs the account, from end to end of the British line, the
muskets rose to the level, as if with the sway of some great machine, and the whole blazed forth at once in one crashing explosion." The smoke became intense, and for a time enveloped the
soldiery in darkness. The execution of the English had been great;
land now, that the smoke had cleared away, they began to redouble
their efforts-"hewing, down the Frenclhmen wtith their broadswords,
and slaying many in the very ditch of the fortifications." The'ction was short and rapid. The French loss was estimated at"; i:fteen hundred men, killed, wounded, and taken." The French now
fled precipitately. Wolfe had fallen, mortally wounded, and been
conveyed to the rear, before the flight of the French began.' See
owm they run," cried an English officer standing near to Wolf7-i,
as he lay upon the soft turi  " Who run?" anxiously enquired.
W'olfe, "opening his eyes," says the aecou.lt, "' like a man aroused
from sleep." "The enemy, sir," replied the officer; they give way
everywhere."'Then, returned the dying Wolfe, "tell Colonel
Burton to nmarch Webb's regiment down to Charles river, to cut off
their retreat from the bridge. Now, God be praised, he softly
murmured, turning on his side, "I will (ie in petce;" and his
heroic spirit passed awaVy. Montcalm had also received a molral.
wound, and was dying h.  am happy,' said. he' that I shall Dot
live to see the surrender of Quebec." Beino interrogated as to instructions, his reply was, " 1. will give no ilore orders I. hae mucli.
busineiss otht I.a; e  c t:ende d t uf' be,o, of jl.Atoi; mome' i ^,  yl  




,() (            TimE DAWN OF A rNEW ERLEA.
ruined garrison and this wretched country;" and MIontcahm, too%,
soon went out. The white flag was run up on the ramparts of Quebec, and on the 18th of September, 1759, that point was forever
wrested from the power of the French, A year later, September
8, 1760, and the whole dominion was swept from their grasp, and
England ever after swayed the province. A new rule began at
once to extend itself over the north-western territory.
A new era had dawned upon the New World. The sun-light of
anew governmental superstructure-a broad Democratic-Republican basis,-wherein the great principles of "life, liberty, and
the pursuit of -HAPPINESS, were to form the pillars of a beautiful
edifice,-had already risen above the hill-tops of the Future, soon
to penetrate the thick forests and glinmmaer along the valleys and,
hill-sides of the far west~
kc 




CHAPTER VI.
"O'er a pulse from ch1aos beating,
With its mystic flowi of pride,
We are drifting —ever driting,
And are floating down the tide." —Wr H. Bs. BUSINrL.'Numibersand condition of the tribes of the northwest at the close of the French and
Indian war —The western route-The Shawanoes and Miamies-Indian attachment to the French-Their hatred of the English —The Delaware ProphetBritish occupancy of forts Miami and Ouiatenon-Treaty of 1763-The Indian
domain-The conspiracy of Pontiac-His designs first discovered at tthis pointDiscovery of the "bloody belt"-Council called-Holmes' letter-Office of the
chiefs-the great council at the river Ecorces-Great speech of Pontiac-The
Ojibwa girl's warning —Pontiac's visit to the fort-His failure —Further effortsGladwyn's letter-Further efforts of Pontiac-Visit and retention of Campbell and
McDougal at the camp of Pontiac —Capture of the forts-The conspiracy at this
point-Betrayal and death of Holmes-surrender of the fort —One hundlred and
four years have passed —" Progress! Civilization! Onward!
Tthe close of the French sl            e suggl  so great had been the
f    havoc among the various tribes of the north-west, that, fromn the?W     estimates of Sir William Johnson, it was presumed there were
~   not more than ten thousand fighting men to be found in the
whole territory lying "b3etween the Mississippi on the west, and
the ocean on the east; between the Ohio on the south, and Lake Superior on the north;" which, according to a further estimate by Sir
iVilliam, in 1763, placed the Iroquois at 1950; the Delawares at
about 600; the Shawanoes at about 300; the Wyandotts at about 450;
the  MIiamies, with their     neighbors, the Kickapoos, at about
800; while the Ottawas, Ojibwas, and a few         wandering tribes,
northward, were left without any enumeration at all.         At that
period, so thin and scattered was the population," say the best accounts,' " that, even in those parts which were thought well populated, one might sometimes journey for days together through the
twilight forest, and meet no human form.     Broad tracts were left
in solitude.  All Kentucky was a vacant waste, a mere skirmishing ground for hostile war-parties of the north and south., A great
part of Upper Canada, of Michigan, and of Illinois, besides other.
portions of the west, were tenanted by wild beasts alone.;See Parklman's History of Conspiracy of Pontiac, p 13,2.




5t8       Coi!;iDI~romiu3 o0NTI   A FFAIRS AT THE CLOSE Oj F TH0 E r1:iVAR.
The most favored route vestward frton the,central colonial districts, at that period, "was f om Philadelphia across the Alleghanies, to the valley of the Ohio, " by way of Fort du Quesne, (after
the war, being rebuilt by the English, called " Fort Pitt,') where
Pittsburg now stands. It was this route that most of the traders
westward took, whither, froml that point, they penetrated the interior with their goods, upon pack-horses, to traffi with the Indians.
Anz Englishman, for sometime subsequent to the war, became a
ready subject for the scalping-knife, and, consequently, wvas compelled to move with great precaution.
At this period, says Parkman, in his interesting' researches,'" the
Shawanoes had fixed their abode upon the Scioto and its branches.
Farther towards the west, on the waters of the Wabash and the
Maumee, dwelt the Miamies, who, less exposed, from their position, to the poison of the whiskey keg, and the example of debauched traders, retained their ancient character and custom in
greater purity than their eastern neighbors,"  " F xrom Vincennes," 
says the same -rriter, 6 one might paddle his canoe northward up
the VWabash, until he reached the little wooden fort of Ouiatenon.
T hence a path through the w7oods led to the banks of the Maumee.
Two or three Canadians, or half breeds, of whom there were numbers about the fort, would carry the canoe on their shoulders, or,
for a bottle of whisky, a few Miiami Indians might be bribed to
undertake the task. On the M1Taumee, at the end of the path, stood
For't Miami, near the spot vwhere Fort Wavne w;,as afterwsards built.
From this point," continues he, " one mioilt descend the Maumee
to Lake Erie, and visit the neighboring' Fort of Sandusky; or, if he
chose, steer throuigh the strait of Detroit, and explore the watery
wastes of the northern lakes, finding occasional harborage at the
little mihitary posts which commanded their important points.
MIost of these western posts wvere transferred. to the English during
the autumnI of 1760; but the settlenlents of the Illinois (iKaskaskia,
Cah. okia, &c.,) remainred," says Parkman, "several years longer
under French control. 7
The Indians of the nortlhwest had lost their French Father, and
with him, for a time, their trinkets, and much besides, in the form
of.powder, balls, c. that they had long annually been accustomed
to receive from  that cuarter. They could hardly realize, rotwithstanding the many whisperinos to that effect, that their French.
Feather was forever, divested of his power in America, and that his
rule this side of the great waters had ceasecd  They believed the
oft repeated sfories of the many hi6iitans, coureu:'e'  ds bois, &c., of
the various villages, and wanderinog from point to point among the
tribes of the northwsest which were also greatly strengthened by
similar assurances from those of the French still holding possession
of the territory along the Illinois'and Mississippi rivers, and at
other points, that their: French Father "had of late years fallen
asleep, " and that hi is numerous vessels and soldiers would soon 1w>




HISITOJU OF FORET rV AYkE               5
moving up the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, to drive the English
from their dominions, leaving them again in quiet possession of
their former lunnting grounds. Every means was now resorted to
by the French thus scattered about the wilderness to arouse the
savages, and their efforts were not in vain. The rancor of the Indians was greatly increased from time to time, until at length, after
a laspe of'two years, a great scheme was developed and put on
foot for tlhe overthrow and destruction of the English and. the
various posts so recently occupied by them, As had been frequent
at other periods among the a'borignies in the wilds of the New
World, a great Prophet suddenly began to exert a powerful influence among the tribes of the northwest. He held his minssion under the Great Spirit, and earnestly enjoined upon the tribes to return again to their primitive habits-to throw away the weapons,
apparel, &c., obtained from the pale faces. Here, said he, is the
starting point of success. The force of the new prophet's teachings
were truly great, and the tribes came from long distances to hear
him. For the most part his suggestions were much regarded by
the tribes; but the weapons of the white man could not be dispensed with. These they retained. The prophet was a Delaware
and the great leader of the movement, was an Ottawa chieftain,
whose Indian naime was PONTIAC. Detroit was surrendered to the
English on the 29th of November, 1760 and while many prisoners
were removed down the lake, " the Canadian inhabitants were allowed to retain their farms and houses, on condition of swearing
allegiance to the British crown." An officer being speedily dispatched to the southwest, Fort Miami, at the confluence of the
rivers St. Ml1ary and St. Joseph, and Ouiatenon, below the present
site of Lafayette, so long standing gnuard between the Ohio river'and Lake Erie, were soon possessed by the English, and a new rule
be un.
For over two years, forts Miami and Ouiatenon remained in comparative security. No hostile movement on the part of the French
or savages had thus far conspired to greatly ruffle the complacency
of their guardianship.
The tenth of February, 1763, at length arriving, a treaty of Peace
wYas convened at Paris, France, between the two- great Powers of
France and England-the former surrendering to the latter all
claims to the vast region lying east of the Mississippi, making the
great Father of Waters the boundary line of the British possessions
in. America.
A few months later, on. the 7th of October, the English government, " proportioning out her new acquisitions into separate,goovernments," set apart'the valley of the Ohio and adjacent regions
as an Indian domain," and, by proclamation, strictly forbade " the
intrusion/,of settlers 7 thereon. Each came at an unpropitious periodl. The seeds of fature trouble had long since been sown, and
the little forts in the wilderness) here (Fort Mliami) and at




0       A. FIKIENDLY Ai)MO;n'mO~ —.T{E BLOODY 313'T.
Ouiatenon, were destined ere long to feel the shotk of " coming'
events." The great plot of Pontiac and the efforts of the Delaware
prophet for the destruction of the English and the recapture of the
posts so recently lost to the French, were rapidly though silently
maturing. Intimations and surmises were all that could be gained,
so still and cautious were the movements of the savages; qnd the
first really positive assurance (as it afterwards proved) of the effirts
and designs of the Ottawa chieftain and his followers, was disclosed at Fort Miami, opposite the present site of Fort Wayqe.
With the utmost vigilance, on the one hand, and the greatest
possible activity on the other, Pontiac was now pushing forward
his scheme of destruction against the English.  War belts were
dispatched to various tribes at a distance, inviting them to join.in
the overthrow of the invaders and capture of the forts; and soon
the entire Algonquin race, combined with the Senecas (of the Six
Nations) the Wyandotts, and many tribes from the valley of the
Lower lWississippi, were allied to the great scheme of destruction.
An English officer, by the name of H-olmes, was in command, with
a small body of men, at this point, Fort Miami; and it was through
Holmes that the first most positive intimations were received of
the premeditated plot of the Indians.
One day, early in the month of March, 1763, Holmes was startled
by a friendly admonition. A neighboring Indian, who, through
some acts of kindness, perhaps, on the part of Holmes, had formed
a strong friendship for the ensign. The Indian told him that the
warriors of one of the villages near by had recently received a
bloody beltz,' with a " speech," pressing them to kill him. (Holmes)
and demolish the fort here, and which, whispered the friendly Indian, the warriors were then making preparations to do. The peril
was iminent, and Holmes began at once to look about him. Soon
summoning the neighboring Indians to a council, he made bold to
charge them with the design, which they readily acknowledged,
with seeming contriteness and regret, charging the whole affair
upon a tribe at another locality in the region. Hiolmes obtained
the belt, and, from a speech of one of the chiefs of the Miamies,
was at least partially induced to entertain the belief that all would
now be tranquil.
A few days later, and the following letter, trom Ensign IHolmes,
at this point, was on its way to Major Gladwyn, commanding at
Detroit:
"FOiT MIAMIS, MARCH 330Ti, 1763.
"Since my Last'Letter to You, wherein I Acquainted You of
the Bloody Belt being in this village,4 I have made all the search'*It was a custom with many tribes in those days to send belts of wampum and
somtiames tobacco when aid was desired, or peace was to be made. The white belt
denoted peace; the black or red belt were emblaimatic of war.
tTh'e old Twightwee or Miami village, on the w'est side of the St. Joseph, and seat
tered in the neig'hborhood of the." Old Apple Tree, " nearly opposite tlle site of old
fort Wa'nao.




HISTTor   OF Fo T WAY'NE.                   61
I could about it, and have found it out to be True; Whereon I
Assemrbled all the Chiefs of this Nation,: & and after a long and
troublesome Spell with them, I Obtained tlie Belt, with a Speech.}
as you will Receive Enclosed; This Affair is very timely Stopt,
and I hope the News of a Peace will put a Stop to any furtheru'Troubles with these Indians, who are the Principle Ones of Setling
Mischief on Foot. I send You the Belt with this Packet, whichl  I
hope You will Forward to the General."
The peculiar organization of the Indian-his habits; the wild
roaving life of many of the tribes-their want of military order;
the lack of proper central governmental relations to.unite and hold
the tribes together; their inability and want of judgment in farnishing supplies for a large body of men in time of war; their custom
of rapid blows to secure speedy victory; their native idea of individual and collective freedomrn;- small producers and large consumers —subsisting' mainly upon the wild animals of the forest, and
the fish of the streanls-" loose and disjointed as a whole;" scattered, for the most part, in small bodies over large regions of territory-all combined, at the period in question, to render it impossible for the tribes of America long successfully to conduct a seigh^
Or sustain themselves,-however cunning, intelligent, resolute, and
brave their chief or chiefs, —in a contest with the active civilization and formidable means of w  fafare of tle English. It is truie
that soon after the French war, the strength of the British became
greatly diminished-the army which had been brought to beat
upon Canada with such salutary effect, having soon alter been dissolved, and the main body of the regulars recrossed the ocean to
join their friends again in the Old World. Yet, with small garrisons, they were, to a considerable extent, still formidable, as c'ompared with the advantages possessed by the savages, unaided by
the French.
Signs of coming trouble with the Indians at lenoth became more
apparent. They had now begun to hangc about the forts,      with
calmr impenetrable faces, " asking' for tobacco, gunpowder, and
whisky. Now and then some slioht intimation of danger would
startle the tgarrison from security, and an English trader, coming
in from the Indian villages, would report that, from. their mlanners
and behavior, he suspected themr of mlischievous desiigus. "  Occa-:'TPhe Miamies.
fit was the ofice of the chiefs, says Parklian, "to declare wnr andr make peace;
b}ut when war was declared, they had no power to carry the declaretion into effect.
The warriors fought if they chose to do so; but if, on the contrary, they preferred to
relmind quiet, no Inan coulfd force them to lift the haltc het. The war-chief, whose
part it was to lead them to battle, was a lmere partizan, whom his bravery and exploits had led to distinction. If he thought prpoer, he sang his war-song, and danced
his war-dance, a.nd as many of the young men as were cisposed to follow him gathered arounad and enlisted tihermselves under him. Over these volunteers he hald no
lefgal autlority, and they could desert him at any lmoment with no other penalty
thau disgreaice. *  I: - ManV aLn Indian army, before rtehliing the enemry' country,
las been1 known to dAvtindlle naway ulntil -it ware, duced to,' m(re scalping' party,"




02      rrE.ril G-RE4:A COUiCIL AT'TE l il'Eii irAE iCOOLCOES.
sionally some "half-breed would be heard boasting in his cupis
that before the next summer he would have' English hair to fringe
his hunting-firock.; "
By the 27th of April, 1763, Pontiac having largely matured his
plans —greato numbers of the villages and camps of the western
tribes, including all grades and ages, women and children, of the
tribes, having celebrated the savage rites of War; magicians " consulted their oracles: and prepared elarms to insure success;':
many warriors, as was long the Indian custom, before great events
in war, Withdrawing to the deep recesses of the forest, or hiding in
caves to fast and pray, that the Great Spirit mignht give them vietory,-of the tribes already mentioned a grand council. was convened at the river Ecorces, where Pontiac delivered to the vast
throng a speech rife with both eloquence and art.
On the morniing of the great council, " several old men, heralds
of the camp, passed to and fro among the lodges, callin (n the war-'riors, in aloud voice, to attend the meeting. In accordance with
the summons: they came issuing from their cabins-the tallj naked
figures of the wild Ojibwas, With quivers slung at their backs, and
light war-clubs resting in the hollow of their arms; Ottawas,
wrapped close in their gaudy blankets; Wyandotts, fluttering in
painted shirts, their heads adorned with feathers, and their leggins
garnished with bells  All were soon seated in a wide circle upon
the graSs, row within row,-a grave and silent assembly. Each savage countenance seemed carved in wood, and none could have
detected the deep and firey passions hidden beneath that untmovable exterior. Pipes, with ornamented stems, were lighted and
passed fiom hand to hand. "t
Soon placing himself in thle centre of thi wild, though silent multitude, with long black hair ifowing about his shoulders; stern, resolute, with an imperious, plreermptory bearing, "like that of a man
accustomed to sweep away all opposition by force of his impetuous wiill," plumed and painted, with a girt about his loins, Pontiac
began at once to arouse his auditors by a recital of the iinjustice of
the English, and by drawing a contrast between the conduct of
the French and the British towards the tribes assembled; preseni
I;ing to them the terrible consequences of English supremacy —
persisting that it was the aim of the British. to destroy and drive
them from the land of their fathers. They have driven away the
Fren1ch, he recounted, and now they seek an opportunity to remove
us also. He told them that their French Father had long been.
asleep, but that then he was awake again, and would soon returln
in his many canoes to regain his old possessions in Canada.
Every sentence was rounded with a fierce ejaculation; and as
the impetuous orator proceeded, his auditory grew restless to,
springu at once into the bloody arena of battle and bury the scalping
knife ancd tomahawk in the body of the enemy-. Turning to the'.Hisi. Oon sp. PPontic.a, p 1i67..Pkm rnan.




HISTOY OF FoV' T 5WAYN.                  (3
opposite itde of savatge. nature, appealingl to their tens'e of
the mysterious, in a stomewhat mellowed tone, though still as
earnest in demeanor, he said:
" A Delaware Indian conceived an eager desire to learn wisdom
from. the Master of Life; but, being ignorant where to find him, he
had recourse to fasting, dreaming, and magical incantations. By
these means it was revealed to him that, by moving forward in a
straig'ht undeviating course, he would reach the abode of the Great
Spirit. HIe told his purpose to no one, and having provided the
equipmients of a hunter,-gun, powder-horn, ammunition, and a
kettle for preparing his food,-he set forth on his errand. For sonme
timee hjournied on in high hope and confidence. On the evening of the eighth day, he stopped by the side of a brook, at the
edge of a small prairie, where he began to make ready his evening
meal, when, looking up, he saw three large openings in the woods,
on the opposite side of the meadow, and three well-beaten paths
Vrhich entered them. He was much surprised; but his wonder increased, when, after it had grown dark, the three paths were more
clearly visible than ever. Remeimbering the important object of his
journey, he could' neither rest nor sleep; and leaving his fire, he
crossed the me.adow, and entered the largest of the three openings.
He had advanced but a short distance into the forest, when a
bright flame sprang out of the ground before him, and arrested his
steps. In great amazement, he turned back, and. entered the
second path, where the same wonderful phenomenono again;er
countered hira; and now, in terror and bewilderment, yet still
resoived to persevere, he pursued the last of the three paths. On
this he journied a whole day without interruption, when, at length,
emerging from the forest, he saw before him a vast mountain, of
dazzling whiteness. So precipitous was the ascent, that the Indian
thought it hopeless to go farther, and looked around him in despair;
at{; that moment, he saw, seated at some distance above, the figure
of a beautiful woman arrayed in white, who arose as hIe looked
upon her, and thus accosted him: H-ow can you hope, encumbered as you are, to succeed in your design? Go down to the foot of
the mountain, throw away your guni, your ammunition, your provisions. and your clothing'; wash yourself in the stream ix hich flows
there, and then you will be pirepared to stand before the Master of
Life! The Indian obeyed, and then began to ascend' among the
rocks, while the woman, seeing him still discouraged, laughed at
his faintness of heart, and told him that, if he wished for success, he
m-st climb by the aid of one hand and one foot only, After great
toil and suffering, he at length found himself at the summit. The
woman had disappeared, and he was left alone. A rich and beautiful plain lay before him, and at a little distance he saw three
great vill.ages, far superior to the squallid dwellings of the Delawares. As he approached the largest, and stood hesitating, wheth6r he should enter, a man gorgeously attired, stepped forth, and1




C4     SrE'r OP DET.IOT-WAINING O TIE OJtiBA GII..L
taking him by the hand, welcomed him to the celestial abode. I-e
then conducted him into the presence of the Great Spirit, where the
Indian stood confounded at the unspeakable splendor which surrounded him. The Great Spirit bade him be seated, and thus
addressed him:
"' Iam the maker of heaven and earth, the trees, lakes, rivers;
and all things else. I am the maker df mankind; and because I
love you, you must do my will. The land on which you live, I
made for you, and not for others.'Wiy do you suiffer the white
man to dwell among you? My children, you have forgotten the
customs and tr"aditions of your fathers. Why do you not clothe
-oiirselves in skins as they didn and use the bows and arrows, and
}itdn;e-pointed lances, which they used? You have bought guns,
knives, kettles, and blankets of the white man, until you can no
longer do without them; and what is worse, you have drunk the
poison fire-water, which turns you into fools. Fling all these
laway; live as your wise fore-fathers lived before you. And, as
for these English,-these dogs dressed in red, who have cbme to
iob you of your hunting-grdunds, and drive away the game-you
must lift the hatchet against them, wipe them from the face of the
earth, and then you will win my favor back again, and once more
be happy and prosperous. The children of your great father, the
King of France, are not like the English. Never forget that they
are your brethren, They ate very dear to me, for they love the
red mnen, and understand the true mode of worshiping me I7
With some further admonition from the Great Spirit, of a moral
and religious nature, says the account,' the Indian took leave of
the Master of Lifej and returned again to terra firma, where, among
his people, he told all he had seen and heard in the wonderful land
of the Great Spirit.
All was now ripe for action. Pontiac's words and the glowingc
alleoory he had presented, had spread a ulagotetic fire among the
great throno, of listeners that nothing short of a desperate encounter
or defeat xwould smother, The first great move was destined to
cullminate upon Detroit.
A beautiful Ojibwa giril whose love for the commande:r Gladw'yn, see3ms to hatve been only equalled by her precaution and care,
-was in the secret, Had probably attended the council, and. heard
the plan of Pohtiac's movelment to surprise and capture the fort;
and true to her sense of regard for her kind friend, Major Gladwyn, on the afternoon of the 6th of May, she found occasion, (having mrade a handsome pair of moccasins for the commander,) to
visit the fort, whither she cuietly strode, with anxious heart, in
hopes to reveal to her lover his perilous situation, and unfold to
*From the Pontiac MSS., originally in the hand of one McDougal, who, says
Parkman, " states that he derived his information from the Indians." And further
says that " the lauthor of the Pontiac MSS. probably wiites on the authority of Canadians, some of whom were present at the council." See tIhistory Conspiracy of
IPot'tiac, pp. 18., 10, 18., 1.8,  3.




]i-STORY OF FORT WAYNE                    S
him the movement about to be made upon the fort by Pontiac and
his warriors-his plan of surprise, &c. As she entered, Gladwyn
observec that she wore a different air than on other occasions.
Her countenance assumed the expression of one in distress. Fear
and cepression both seemed to sway her, and she could say but
little. Remaining but a short time,, she stepped forth again into
the open air, to look about, perhaps, to see who might chanced to
have seen her enter the fort. SorroW still weighed heavily upon
her. She could not depart from the scene of her friend without
acquainting him with the work that was fast maturing for his death,
and the destruction of all within the garrison. With, this feeling,
she lingered about the fort until quite late, which not only attracted
the attention of the sentinel, but:Gladwyn himself, who, noticing
her strange conduct, called her to him, and asked her what was
giving her trouble. i-Ier heart beat heavily. She could not speak.
Still ther friend pressed her for a response, assuring her that he
would not, under any consideration, betray her-that, with him,
whafever she told would be sa-fe-that no harm should befall her.
HIer fear was suddenly overcome, and her admiration for her
friendj united'with an irresistible determination to save him, even
in the midst of danger, as the beautiful Pocahontas had saved the
life of Captain Smith, she confidingly told him all.
Said she, very sadly-' to-morrow Pontiac with sixty of his warriors will come to the fort. All will lhave short guns hidden iinder
their blankets-blankets close about their necks, so as to hide
guns. Pontiac will wvant to hold peace-council, will make a great
b8peech,; then offer you peace-wajmpum. With hands on hort guns,
warriors all to make a quick jump and fire, killing all English officers. Then come all Indiains outside, and kill all but French-leave
nlo En:lish alive." 
The soul of Gladwyn suddenly loomed alove the perilous hour
that awaited him on the morrow. His itnaturally courageous heart
began to beat with renew ed activit- aniid determination. Bidding
the faithful scquaw' - be faithfiful still and feai niot; to acquaint himl
if possible, witlh ny further movements that might transpire, with
a lighter heart; land, a freer air, the Ojibwa beauty strode quietly
but and was soon lost to the vife  of her lover and the perilous
garrison'
If the Great Spirit had inspired. an Indian to destroy, he had also
superinduced one of his red children to save; and thus moved, the
Ojibwa girl had alr:eady won the victory. Acting at on'e lipon
the a(dmonition of the indian girl al, dladwy n Soon acquainted his
4One NA. Peltier, A-who lived a.t Ietiroit dnirin m'ost of the period of the siege, and
nwho, thgough but 3.7 years bld at the time, remembered much that thlen oecurred, in
1824; in a st;temeint made to C a scid that " lihe remembered that soon after the
failure of Pontiac's attemnam t o su).pri. e the garrison, he punished, by severe flogging,.- wo'?man named CatlheNine, accured of having fbetrayed the plot." I-I. also rilleminbered the several attacks on the armed vessels, by the Indi.ians, and the attempts to,',:them  on fire by lmea ns of blht Jinigl ra ft'i."




4663              HIISTO. Y OF I0 o:T WAVY-z.NEX
officers of the event to be looked' for on the morrow, and all was
preparation and readiness. From mist and rain, tle sky cleared
away, and the sun disappeared in a glow of brightness- Night
came gradually on; and while all was stillness and anxiety within
the garrison, no hostile movement intruded from without. All
night the English soldiers, without knowing why, (for the secret of
the Ojibwa girl had not been told the privates, for prudential
reasons,) kept watch and paraded the ramparts with anxious and
sleepless vigil. Nothing, however, served to ruffle the air, save
the disitant ibum-bum of the Indian drum, and the fierce whoop of
the warriors as they mingled their hoarse voices in the wily dance
and pushed forward their arrangements for the strategetic effort that
was to begin with the dawning of another day.
The night at length passed, and with its passing soon came the
evidence of Pontiac's design, as tdld by the Ojibwa girl. Soon, in
the distance, many canoes could be seen, from the palisades of the
fo'rt, slowly moving across the river, as was subsequently learned,
laden with Indians lying compactly in the bottom of each canoes
well concealed, that a knowledge of their strength might be kept
from the garrison.
The open ground without the fort began gradually to fill up,
Warriors, fancifully decorated, with here and there many womeln
and clildren, gathered upon the ground. To allay suspicion, with
marked activity and restless anxiety, preparations were soon making in front, of the garrison for a goreat game of baggattaway. "At
ten occlockis" says Parkman, "the great war-chief, with his treacherous followers, reached the fort, and the gate-way was thronged
with their savage faces, All were wrapped to the throats in colored blankets. Some were crested with hawk, eagle, or raven
plumes; others had shaved their heads, leaving only the fluttering
scalp-lock on the crown; while others, again, wore their long, black
hairr flowing loosely at their backs, or wildly hangingr about their
brows like a lion's mane."
The account runs, that, as Pontiac, followed by his warriors,
stepped within the enclosurej (the entire garrison being on duty,
with sabers and bayonets glistening, ready ifor action at every
point, by special order of the commander,) "a deep ejaculation
half escaped fromi his broad chest." The very air about him.
seemed to whisper:   Pontiac, your plot is knownn.' But he
moved on, and soon passed into the doorwayt of the councilhouse, followed by his fierce coadjutors. The commandant, Gladwyn, and his o.ficers, with swords at their sidesS and a brace of
pistols in their belts, all seated, in readiness for the recepfion of
the wily chief and his follower.. "The Indianl as a generall ule,
always sat upon the ground or upon a coarse mat, Before taking
thliir seats, Pontiac's perturbed spirit led him to enquire as to the
cause of sc mrany of his'6 father's young men standing in the street
with their guns?'" To which the commandandt replied, thronugh hIis




iPoNTIO S:VISIT rTO TllHE FO:R. —.TIE CONSPIRACY.  6.
interpreter, that " he had ordered the soldiers under arms for the
sake of exercise and discipline.:' Seating themselves at once upon
the matts arranged for them upon the floor, with much disclomfiture and evident mistrust, in each countenance, Pontiac arose i olding in one hand the peace-belt, referred to by the Ojibwa girl, and
at once began to express to Gladwyn his strong adnmration and
love for the, English —said that he head c.ome to smoke tlhe pipe of
peace and bigohten the chl.in of friendship with his Etglish brothCer.'  And it i:ss a. id, that  ougtly o n sciou t i   dll  OiOIs of is d eection, " he raised the belt and wa's.about to give the fatal siognal, "i
-when, instantly. 6; U Gledw';vn wave his halndl " —and, as if by ma-gic
-so well matured were the plas, of the comal- ndant,- tHt e galrrison
dram beat a most stunning roll, filingo the air with its revrberrations,,and startling' the w'arriors, both within.and without the fort, into
sudden dismay; while the guards in the passage to the councilhouse suddenly msade their arms to clash and rattle as they bro ioLht
them into a position for action; and the officers, with Gl "tadw. n,
looking stearnly upon the figures of the" tall, strong men-ii  before
theim-, had simultaneou sly clasped their swords, in anticipation of;.and with a view to' m i ee, if need be, the premeditated on-slaught
of Pontiac and his w-arriors. Thel moment was one of heIroici determination on the part of the little garrison of Detroit, and off the
utmost discomfiture andc chagrin writh the savages., The plans, of,1the great Ottawa chieftain were foiled, and he stood( b1efo.e the
commandant and his officers like one suddenl', overcom(ne Igy a
terrible shock.
Says Gladwyn, in a letter dated iMay 314th, 17633', they were Sot
1uch surprised to see our dispositio.at that tlhey  Iould scarcely,it down to council: Ilowever, in about half an hour, after they
saw their designs were discovered, thefy sat down, land Pontiac
made a speech, which I ansvered calmly, without intimating my
suspicions of their inteitions, and after receiving some trifling
presents, they w-ent away to their camp."5
Accompanied by ht-iree of his chiefs, he returned to the fort the
next imorning, wi.th a calumet or peace-pipe, neatly ornanmented
w;ith (lifterent colored plumage, which he offered to the comtmandant, with the following speech: 6"My fathers, evil birds have sung
lies in your earsb We that stand before you are friends of the Elngfish. We love them as our brothers, and, to prove our love, we
have come this day to smoke the pipe of peace." Presenting the
pipe to Major Campbell, second in command, as a pledge of friendship, the chiefs again took their departure.
A great game of ball. was played that afternoon, and Pontiac
strode amnong the vi.llaglers arousing them to action. On the next
say, surrounded by aa immense throng') upon the grounds near the
fort, Pontiac stepped forth, and again approached the entrance to
the fort, but could not now gain, a admission-all was barred
a'ainst lliE2. Enqulirin' as to th  use s of this, the con.ma.ndn.lt




*63     ~     l-lHIs'toRY orF i]ORT WT AYSE,
replied that the Great Chief could enter, but none others. To
which Pontiac replied that " he wanted all his warriors to enjoy the
fragrance of the friendly calumet." But all was of no avail. None
could enter but the chief. Pontiac is here said to have thrown off
the nmask of friendship, and exhibited, in unmistakable action, a
determination for vengeance against the English. His fbllowers
now repaired to the dwellings of two English residents near, murdered and scalped them. Pontiac repaired to the Ottawa village,
aroused his warriors, and danced the war-dance. Two English officers
had been waylaayed and killed by the savages near Lake St. Clair;
and on the morning of the 10th of lMay (1763), all the tribes combined under Pontiac, aided by a few French engagees, by shouts, at
least; approached the fort, and began an attack, which lasted some
six hours. Efforts now being rmade for a reconciliation, La Buttei
the intbrpreter, accompanied byl two old Canadians, was sent to
the catmp of Pontiac to ascertain the cause of his action, and to
assure him that any grievanc  e h had to complain of; would be
speedily redressed. Pontiac listened attentively, and seemed to
assent to all proposed, and La Butte soon hastened back to the fort
to report progress; but shortly after, returningo to the camp of Pontiac, leained that he had been deceived. Pontiac, with his chiefs,
nowv wished to hold an interview with their English fathers themselvess that the peace might be the more complete and binding.
Iajor Campbell was much liked by many of the savages, and with
him they wished to speak. Upon hearing of this desire from La
Butte and the two Canadians, Campbell unsuspectingly expressed
a wish to visit the camp of the savages. Gladwyn was fearful.
He suspected the intentions of Pontiac. But Campbell went,
accompanied by Lieutenant McDougal, a junior officer of the garrison, "La Butte, and several other Canadians."  One Mr. Gouin,
who had just made himself sufficiently well acquainted with
the designs of the Indians in getting Campbell and AMcDougal into their camp, hastened to warn them of their danger;
but all was of no avail. They went, and were taken prisoners.
After a few hours parley, feeling that his fate was already sealed,
to test his position more fully, it is stated that Campbell once arose
to depart for the fort again, after finding all efforts for reconciliation unavailing, when Pontiac bade him be seated, saying " My
fathers will sleep to-night in the lodges of his red children." Their
lives were at once eagerly sought by the savages, but Pontiac
would not then permit them to be injured, though Campbell was
subsequently destroyed by the Indians, while McDougal is said to
hlave made his escape.
On the 13th of May the attack was renewed, with an increased
force and great vigor. The condition of the fort seemed most perilous, and the officers had a consultation as to what was best to do,
in view of their garrison being but weak ast best, and a powerful
enemy to contend with. (From 600 to 2,000 Indians -was the esti



CAPTUZl E oF TH-mE ENGLISH POSTS.       (69
mate against which the fort at that time had to contend.) But
there was now no means of escape. To fight and defend were the
only alternatives; and for several weeks the siege continued; during;
which time, it was told by an officer at Detroit, " no man lay down
to sleep, except in his clothes, and with his weapons by his side."
Pontiac strove in vain to gain the Canadians as allies. The provisions of the garrison became reduced; and but for the timely aid
they received from the Canadians, they would have been compelled
to suffer defeat. But the tables, in this respect, were soon turned,
and the Indians began to want for the necessaries of life. Not
being able to demolish or capture the fort as easily as they had
anticipated,-the Indian never accustomed to lay in stores f1or such
occasions-their food became exhausted, and they too called upon
and received from the Canadiaps like aid. It was about this period that several Sttempts, from other points, were made to relieve
the garrison, by additional troops and provisions  but without
success. The action of the Indians at other points, embraced in
the great conspiracy of Pontiac, were now also bechmling important. Nine Posts, held by the English, had been inclucled in the
great conspiracy and sought to be captured, viz: Detroit, P'resque'
Isle, Michillimackinac, Miami, (at this point,) Ouiatenon; (below
Lafayette, Ind.) Le Boeuf, Venango, Fort Pitt, (Pittsburg) and ]ort
Sandusky. The plan of capture seems to have embodied the cunningo and resolution of Pontiac at every point; and the pretensions
somewhat similar to those at first presented by the great head of
the conspiracy at Detroit, were mostly manifested at every post
essayed to be taken; and one after another, excepting Detroit
alone, rapidly fell into the hands of the Indians. Many were the
bloody scenes enacted.
On the 16th of May, Sandusky fell; on the 1st of June, Ouiatenhon
was captured; Michillimackinac on the 12th, and Presque'Isle, on
the 15th of June, also fell into the hands of the wild conspirators.
After PresqueIsle was taken, runs the narration of Parkman,
the neighboring little popts of Le BEcuf and Venango shared its
fate, wlhile, farther southward, at the forks of the Ohio, a host of
Delaware and Shawnoe warriors were gathering around Fort Pitt,
and blood and havoc reigned along the whole frontier.
Father Jonois, a Jesuit missionary, had reached Detroit and
conveyed to the garrison a letter from Captain Etheringtqn, at
lichillimackinac, giving an account of the capture of that post.
Soon after, a letter from Lieut. Jenkins, at Ouiatenon, telling of the
capture of that post, was also received by Major Gladwyri. " Close
upon these tidings," says the account, as given by Parkman,
"' came the news that Fort Miami (at this point, Fort Wayne) was
taken. This Post, " continues the narration, -    * " was
commanded by Ensign Holmes; and here I cannot but remark,"
says the same writer, "on the forlorn situation of these officers,
isolated in the wilderness, hundreds of miles, in some instances,




TO                   l SI~I~T iisrOiStRY OF  ou r VWAY:E.
from ainy conlgienia l aissociates, separated from every }urmant being
except the rude soldiers nnder their command, and thie white or
red savag'es who ranged the surrounding woods."
rThe iMiamies at this point, lhad been deeply embrloiled in the
great conspiracy, and the region of I" Ke-ki-ong -a  resounded with
many a    asavage yell of hatred towards the English.
Stratagem t ever formed a part of Indian warfare and savage
chlaracter. By its skillful employment, the red man as readily
loo ked for success in war, as, with his rifle or bow and{ arrow, by
delibelrate and. steady aim, he sought to bring d.own the wild gan-Te
of the forest..Holnines had lonS- suspected the' desitens of the Indians, and, for
that, reason, had, for some months, been somewhat vigilant in his
observaitions of their conduct, more especially after the discovery
in the neighborhood of the bloody belt, already referred to. But
sava.ge ingenuity and deception were striving hard, and Holmes,
seemed destined to fall a victim to the perfidy of the conspirators,
white and red, prowliing about the villfage and neighborhood.
The 27thl of May had come.    All nature was radiant again with
the beauties of spring. The great, expandinT fioliage of the fo;rest
waved gracefully over and mainly shut out from the broacd blaze
of a vivifying sunlight, the beautiful blosoms and sweet-scented
wild flowers that grew profusely beneath the tall majestic oaks,
maple, and sycamores, and countless other and'smaller' trees, that
lined the margins of our beautiful rivers, and mainly covered the
vast regions of soil, where now, under a new reign of civilization
and human progress, the same great sun daily reveals to the civilized eye, innumerable fields and meadows; beautiful towns and
cities; fine orchards; and, each season, vast numbers of blooming
and fruitful gardens.
An Indian girl,' with whlom Holmes had for some time been
intimate. and in whom he placed much confidence, by cpmpulsion
on the part of the conspirators, came into the fort and told Holmes
that there was a sick squaw lying in a wigwam not far' from    the
fort, and expressed a desire that he should go and see her.    The
fatal hour had come. Unsuspectingly, and with a view to serve
and perhaps relieve the supposed sick squaw, (knowing perhaps
something of medicine; for it would seem, had there been a sur*Mrs. Suttenfield, one of the early mothers of Fort Wayne, living here since 1814,
informed the writer that she beca.me acquainted with this woman in 1815; that she
and her, family lived neighbors to her for several years. At the period of Mrs. S.'s
acquaintance with the woman, she lhad a son, a man of some years. On one occasion,
being at the hut of the woman, the man, her son, came in intoxicated, and somewhat
noisy, and the woman, by way of an apology to Mrs. S., remarked that he was a little SQVABBY, or drunk; and concluded w-ith the remark that he was a SAGINASH, (English), and from the age of the man, the inference is drawn that he was a son of
Holmes. After leaving here, the women took up her residence at Raccoon Village.
She lived to a very old age, and was known to many of the early settlers of Ft. Wayne.
1'Ars. Suttenfield's recollections of the account she received are, that the Indians at the
time of the conspiracy, (probably induced by Godefroi and his associates) forced her
to act as sah did towards Holmes, which is quite probable.




1BETRAYAL AND DEATH' oF ENSIlN H1-LMES.         71
geon in the fort, he would have been more likely to have at least
been called on by, the Ensign thanl for Holmies to have gone lhimself,). preceded by the Indian girl, he wa soon without the- enclosure of the garrison, and advancing with cautious steps in the direction of the hut wherein lay the object of his philanthropic mission. Nearing a cluster of huts, which are describedc* to have been
situated at the edge of an open space, " hidden from view by an
intervening spur of the woodland," the squaw directed him to the
lhut wherein lay the supposed invalid. Another instant,-a few
more. paces,-and the sudden crack of two rifles from behind tlhe
wigwam in view, felled Holmes to the earth, and echoed over the
little garrison, startling thel guards and inmuates into momentary
surprise and wonder. Amid the confusion, the sergeant unthoughtedly passed without the fort to ascertain the cause of the rifle
shots. But a few paces were gained, when, with loud, triumphant
shouts, he was sprung upon by the savages and made a captive;
which, in turn, brought the soldiers within, about nine in all, to
the palisades of the garrison, who clam.bered up to see the movement without, when a Canadian, of the narme of Godfroi, (or
Godfii) accompanied by " two other white men," stepped defiantly
forth, and demanded a surrender of the fort, with the assurance to
the soldiers that, if at once complied with, their lives would be
spared; but, refusing, they should "' all be killed without mrercy."t
The. aspect before them was now sadly embarrassing. Witljoutct
commander-without hope, and full of fear, to hesitate, seemed only
to make death the more certain, and the garrison gate soqn swiung
back upon its hinges; the surrender was complete, and English.
rule, at this point, and for r   time, at least, had ceased to exercise
its power.
More than a hundred and four years have now rolled iway since
this eventful hour; and the placid and beautiful St. Joseph, (near
which the fort stood), with its high embankments and overhanging
boughs, sweeps as noiselessly and unpretendingly by the scene, as
when the fort, with its bastions and palisades, overlooked its waters,
pnd the Indian huts, with their dusky inmates, dotted the adjacent
localities; while, in the distance, appears a beautiful city, with numerous tall spires and handsome edifices, covering more than two
thousand acres of ground, and containing nearly thirty thousand
inhabitants, whose busy tread, mechanical industry, active pursuits, and habits of thought, tell of a gl1rious, fiee, and happy
Future. In silent awe, indifferent alike of the Past, the Present,
and the Coming Time, the long line of buildings, gazing complacently, as it were, upon the scene of the ancient garrison, and the
site of the Indian village, seem to say: "Whither and why have
iIn the MSS. of the "Loss of the Posts." See His. of Consp. Pontiac, pages 244 and
f45.
IOne statement is, thlat they were all dilled; but I have been unable to find its
verification in any of the printed accounts, I havie examilned.




fi4 HISTOIY Og   FOH T W5AYir E.
you vanished? Where are the years that hlave o gone by? And
why are WE here?" And the great clock, near the center, (the.
Court-llouse) looking from all sides, momentarily responds:
" ProGpEs I- CIVILIZATIoN - ONWARD 173




CHAPITER VII.' rThese forest-isles are full of story: —
Here many a one of old renowin
First sought the meteor-light ofglory,
And'mid its transient flash owent d own.
And all the bright and teeming Present
Thrills with the great and evcnescent Past,"
W. ]), GALLAG.imn.
A return to the beleagured garrison at Detroit-Aid hourly expected-Anxiety of tle
inmates-Pontiac solicits aid from the Canadians-Relief approaches the fort —
"Broadside" from a schooner-Pottawattamies and Wyandotts sue for peace-A
calm comes over the troubled waters —Fight at "bloody bridge"-New recruits
to the army of Pontiac-Indians board the schooner "Gladwyn"-A panic-Escape of the vessel-The siege abandoned by the main body of the tribes-Pontiac
and his tribe left alone to carry on the siege-Pontiac abandons the siege-Starts
for the Maumee-A hard winter-Much suffering-Great council at Niagara-A
new campaign against the western tribes-Bradstreet relieves the besieged fortMakes a treaty-Speech of Wasson-Captain Morris-He arrives at the camp of
Pontiac-Rough treatment-Escapes-Reaches this point-Miamies want to kill
him-Is lodged in old fort Miami —Taken across the St. Joseph-His final release
and return to Detroit-Bradstreet's movements-Bouquet penetrates the Indian
country-The captives-Indians subdued-Croghan's visit to the west —His capture-Meets Pontiac-Council at Ouiatenon-Croghan's return-Visit to this point
-His journal —His arrival at Detroit-Holds a council there-The great council
at Oswego-Pontiac attends-English rule again in the west-Pontiac visits St.
Louis —His death.,    ETURNING       again to Detroit, we find the Indians still active
X in their efforts to capture the garrison, and all within the palisades of the fort anxiously expecting the arrival of vessels
Q- with men and provisions. Pontiac had called a council with
the Canadians, and made a strong speech, and again importuned them   to join him    in the overthrow     of the English.    The
Canadians had refused, on the ground, that the trench King and




74-~             HISToXY OF 1)ITr WAYNE.
the English had signed a paper stipulating certain bounds, that
then belonged to the English; and beina: under English rule, the
French King having told them to remasin still for a time, until lhe
could come to their relief t jo  the  an  oul  be to bring
the wrath of the ]tingo upon both the Canadians arnd the Indians,'But, my brothers," said the Canadian speaker, at the council with
Pontice " yoi mrust first untie the knot with which our father, the
King, has bound us;" and, though a few reckless characters amongt
the Canadians are said to have joined the Indians at the time, in
compliance with Pontiac's desire, yet the effort was nevertheless
a failure. Pontiac was defeated in his designs, and was destined
soon to meet with utter failure in his efbort to capture the garrison.
On the 19th of June, Gladwyn had received news to the effect that
a " vessel had been seen near Turkey Island, not far distant from
Detroit; and the anxiety for her arrival became very great. On
the 23d the vessel began to near the point of landing, opposite the
fort, and the Indians could be seen in. the distance preparing to:ake an attack upon her; which induced Gladwyn to fire two
cannon shots, as well to put the Indians to flight as to let the vessel
know all was yet safe within the fort. Having encountered sorme
resistence on the part of the Indians, and desiring to move with
care, several days now elapsed before the vessel succeeded in
reaching the place of landing, beside another schooner that had
for some time previously been lying at anchor there. Bringing ai
supply of provision and a number of fresh recruits, the new schooners had readily become objects of no little aversion to the wild
assailants. On one occasion, shortly after the arrival of the last
vessel, thinking to assail the,Indians with a few broadsides from
some point in the stream, " Gladwyn himself, with several of his
officers, had embarked on board the smaller vessel, while a fresh
breeze was blowing firomt the northwest. The Indians on the
bank stood watching her as she tacked from shore to sjlore, and
pressed their hands against their mouths, in amazement,.thinking
that magic power alone could enable her thus to make her way
against wind and current. Making a long reach from the opposite
shore, she came on directly towards the camp of Pontiac, her sails
swelling, her masts leaning over till the black muzzles of her guns
alnost touched the river. The Indians watched her in astonishment. On she came, till their fierce hearts exulted in the idea
that, she would run ashore within their clutches, when, suddenly a
shout of conmmand was heard on board; her progress was arrested;
she rose upright, and her sails flapped and fluttered as if tearing
loose from their fastenings. Steadily she came round, broadside
to the shore; then, leaning once more to the wind, bore away gallantly on the other tack. She did not go far. The wondering
spectators, quite at a loss to understand her movements, soon heard
the coarse rattling of her cables as the anchor dragged it out, and
sJaw her furling her vast white wisngs. As they looked uns uspect



INDIANS BOARD A. SCn:oo0EP —TIEui FLIGHT.       75
ingly on, a puff of smoke was emitted from her side; a long report
followed; then another, and another; and the balls, rushing over
their heads, flew through the midst of their caimp, and tore wildly
among the thick forest trees beyond. All was terror and consternation. The startled warriors bounded. away on all. sides; the
squaws snatched up their children, and fle( scrleaming; and, with
a general chorus of yells, the whole encampment scattered in such
haste that little damage was done, except knocking to pieces their
frail cabins of bark."i*
This procedure beinog followed by similar efforts, the Indians
now soug ht to destroy th:eir new opposers by means of floating
rafts of fire; but 11 to no great purpose, as the vessels alwavs
m:anaged to escape their contact. And thus the besiegers, with occa
sional new recruits, continued, in various ways, until the middle of
July, when some Pottawwattaanies and Wyandotts sued for peace,
whicih, under certain considerations, being granted, but little of interest is said to have occurrled until the, end of July, when the gtrrison was ag;ain reinforced by the arrival, fter a sharp encounter
with the Indians, (those who had. recently masde peace), of twentytwo barges, with about two hundred and eighty men, including
" several small cannon, and a fresh supply of provisions and ammunition.'7'The new body of troops, under commadnd of Captain Dalzell, a
brave officer, who was killed soon after his arrival, were not long
idele. On the 31st of July they moved out with a view of silentLly
attra.leking the Indians tl; a, certain point, after wards known as iho
blo(ody bridge.'  The Indians heard of the movement, and lay iln
ambush. The fight was a short but bloody one for the Engllish,
loosing, as they did, aboult ifty-nine men, killed and wounded, their
captain among' t)}e nlumlber; and the Irnians sole fifteen or twenty,
-which greatly elated the latter, who sent the,news to the tribes in
every direction; anld i fresh warrior,.' wrotle Glacwyn, soon benai
to'ar'rive almos;t every day;' until "'upwards of a thousand"  v were
thought by him to be eng'aged:in the a'ttack under Pontiac. With
a few skirmishes, now and then: nothing of special interest occurred
until the night of September the 4th, when the schooner "Gladwyn",
returning to Niagara, was attacked by the Indians, not far from tle
fort, as she lay anchored in the stream, having been detained for
the want of sufficient wind. The Indians, some three hundred in
number the night being densely dark, dropped silently down with
the current, and were unobserved until near the vessel, when a
broadside, with musketry, was opened upon them, of whom
manyN were killed; but they soon began to board the vessel. " The
master of the vessel was killed; several of the crew were disabled;
and the assailants were leaping over the bulwarks, when Jacobs,
the mate, called out to blow up the schooner," which'saved her
and her crewy"-some.,f the Wyandotts, having comprehended " the
-Parkllrmn,,




7 t             Ii ITOnY OF 1FORT WAYNE.
meaningi of his words," givincg the alarm to their companions, instantly causing every Indian to leap overboard in a panic, and the
whole were seen diving and swimming off in all directions to escape
the threatened explosion."* The schooner being thus freed, and
the Indians fearing to make further effort, "on the following morning she sailed for the fort," and reached Niagara in safety.
At length,' towards the close of September, hearing that
a arge'orce was comiung to relieve the garrison, and being
weary of their labors, the Indians, with the exception of Pontiac
and his tribe, the Ottawas, began to sue for peace, and a truce being granted thern, they soon departed from the scene of the besieged fort, and took to the forest to provide food for their families and
obtain the furs and hides of the animals so long left unmolested.
The Ottawas, with Pontiac, being now left; alone to carry on the
siege, kept up the attack till the last of October, when, leirning
fromn the French that a lasting peace had been made between the
French and the English, and that aid from their French father, the
King, was now no longer to be hoped for, " in rage and mortification,"l he left Detroit, and, with a number of his chiefs,'"repaired to the River iMaumee, with the design of stirring up the
Indians in that quarter, and renewing hostilities in the spring."t
The winter proved a hard one; and the Indians suffered much
from cold and hunger. The siege had exhausted their ammunlition; the fur-trade having been interfered with, left them without
many articles they had previously been in the habit of enjoying.
But before the cold had spent itself, Sir William Johnson had dispatched messengers to many tribes, inviting them to a great peacecouncil, at Niagara, which was readily responded to; and some
two thousand warriors, were soon gathered about Niagara to meet
and talk with Sir William.
There were yet, however, many who were still much embittered
in their feelings towards the English, and would not attend the
council.
The "Menomenies, Ottawas, Ojibwas, Mississaugas, from the
north, Caughnawas, iroim Canada, even Wyandotts, from Detroit,
with a host of Iroquois;" while "the Sacs, Foxes, and the Winnebagoes had sent their deputies; and also the Osages, a tribe beyond the Mississippi, had their representatives in the general
meeting."
The attitude of many of the tribes of the northwest, had early
superinduced a vigorous movement on the part of the English government for their chastisement.
The plan of this campaign embraced two armies,-one to be
led by Colonel Bouquet, and the other by Colonel Bradstreet, the
former to move towards Fort Pitt, and to the country of the hostile Shawanoes and Delawares, along the Scioto and Muskingum
rivers; while Bradstreet was to push forward to Detroit.
*Parinam.n.  +Ibid.




Tim: SIEGE ABANDONED BY PONIACr.          77
Bradstreet had preceeded Bouquet, and. being of a most ambitious turn of mind, or at least quite anxious to do as much of the
work as possible, met some'of the hostile tribes, on his march who,
to delay the action of the army, sought for peace, and he concluded
treaties with them, on certain stipulated grounds, a matter tiat belonged entirely to Sir William Johnson. Supposing that he had
tione about all the work, (though the Indians were then menacing
the frontier settlements,) sent word to Bouquet to that effect; and
"while Bradstreet's troops were advlancing upon the lakes, or lying
idle in their camlps at Sandusky, another expedition (Bouquet:s)
was in progress southward, with abler conduct and a more auspicious result."'
On the 26th of August, Bradstreet reached the long-besieged
fort of Detroit, which was a most happy nioment to Glacdwyn and
his little corps of soldiers within the garrison, who had beoen more
or less beset by the beseigers up to that time,-the Indiaps, having
resumed hostilities, in- the spring, as proposed by Pontiac-a
period of upwards of fifteen months.
Before quiting Sandusky, Bradstreet had commissioned and sent
one Captain Morris, an Englishman, accompanied by a ntumber of
Canadians and friendly Indians, as attendants, towards the country
of the Illinois to treat wiith and bring'the Indians of that portion of
the west to friendly terms.
Pontiac and his followers, sullen and intractable, had left; De
troit, and again taken up his abode, for the timie, on the Maumee;
a few miles below the present site of Fort Wayne, whence he is
said to have " sent a hauglhty dlefiance to the English cormm.ander'
at Detroit; and many of the Indians about Detroit had gone with
Pontiac, leaving there but a few remnant tribes, who? for the most
aart, exhibiting a desire for peace, Bradstreet soo!. gcave them an
opportunity to express their sense of feeling in this relatidn, and a
council was held with this view, at that point, on tle 7t' of Septemrber.
Upon the condition,-lwhich they are said to have happily not
understood at all, and which,not understanding, they readily accepted,-" that they become subjects of the King of Enl:and,"-a
treaty of peace was concluded with thern.
At this council were present portions of the Miamies, Pottarwattamies, Ottawas, Ojibwas, Sac s, and Wyandotts. S-id Wasson,
an Ojibwa chief, to the English commander, on tlis occasion:' 3My Brother, last year God forsook us. God has now opened
our eves, and we desire to be heard. It'was God's will. you h.ad
such line weather to come to us. It is God's will also thcat there
should be peace and tranquility over the tface of the ear.th and of
the waters "-openly acknowledging'; that "tle tribes he reproIPak'1c man.




7I T'SHISTORY OrF Folio               W xAYnE,
sented were justly chargeable with the war, and deeply reogreted
their absence.'"
But let us look after Morris and his companions, who are now
rowing, as rapidly as their strength and the curren t will admit, up
the beautiful Maumee.
Ascending this stream in a canoe, runs the narration,- he soon
approached the camp of Pontiac, who, as we have seen, had withdrawn to the banks of this river, with his chosen warriors. While
yet at some distance, Morris and his party were met by about two
hundred Indians, who treated him witih great violence, while they
offered a.firiendly welcome to the Iroquois and Caladian attendants. Accompanied by this clamorous escort, all moved together
towards the camp. At its outskirts stood Pontiac himself    He
met the ambasscaidor with a scowlinog brow, and. refused to offer his
hand. " The Enolish are liars," was his first fierce salutation  IHe
then displayed a letter addressed to him'self, and purporting to have
been written tb the King of France, containing, as Morris declared,' the grossest calumnies w hict tihe most ingenious malice could
tdevise, to incense the Indians agoainst the English.' Tlhe old stiory
had not been forgotten. "Your French Father, said the write.,
is neither dead nor asleep; he is already on his way, with sixty
grealt ships, to revenge himself on the English, and drive them out
of America."  It is evident, concluded the account, " that the letter Ihad emenated from a Frenchl officer, or more probably a French
fur-t;rader, who, for his own aggrandizment, sought to arouse the
a)ntipatthy of the natives to the detriment and further encroachment
of the Enolish; and Bradstreet, for not having brougoht the Indians
to a state of subjection before his departure from Saandusky, is in
no little degree censured for the result of Morris' subsequent efiorts
and harsh treatment in meeting with Pontiac; for the fact of so
many of the Indians being held as prisoners by the English, at Detroit, even acted as a powerful check to tihe Ottawas in their action
towards Morris.
"' The Indians led me,'" says Morris,t " up to a person, who stood
cadvanced before two slaves, (prisoners of the Panis nation, taken
in war and kept in slavery,) who had alrms, himself holding a
fusee, with the butt on the ground.. By his dress and the air lhe
a.ssumed, he appeared to be a French officer  I afterwards found
he was a native of old France, had. been long in the regular troops
as a drummer, and that his war-name was St. Vincent. This finedressed, half-French, half-Indian figure desired me to dismount; a:bear-skin was spread on the ground, and St. Vincent and I sat upon
*As compiled from Morris' own statement and the testimony of the Canadian fand
Indilan guides. See History of the Consp. of Pontiac, pages 4i69 to 474, and in Appendix T4F.
tSays Parkman: "'Morris appears to have been a person of strong literary tastes.
His portrait, prefixec to the little volume, (containing this narration) exhibits a round
Eng'ilish face and features more indicative of placid good Ihumor tlhan of the resolution
w hich must have characterized'him." The volumnle referred to, was published in
L.1 0don1, in 1 I'.  in 1eo n ttioln'with ot.r mlttei ut r  a irisc'aneons chlaracter.




]\IORRIS AND hIIS G UIDES AinRIIVE HIERE.     79
it, the whole Indian army, circle within irc, standing round us.
Godefroi sat at a little distance from us; and presently came Pondiac,- and squatted himself, after his fashion, opposite tome. This
Indian," continues he, " has a more extensive power than ever was
known among that people; for every chief used to command. his
own tribe: but eighteen'nations, by French intrigue, had been
brought to unite, and. chuse this man fdr their commander, after
the English had conquered Canada; having been taught to believe,
that, aided by France, they might make a vigorous push and drive
us out of North America."                     P "'  IPondiac said to
my chief:'If you have made peace with the English, we have no
business to make war on them. The war-belt came from you.' He
afterwards said to Godefroi:'I willlead the nations to war no more;
let'em be at peace, if they chuse it; but I myself will never be a
friend to the English. I shall now become a wanderer in the
woods; and if they come to seek me there, while I have an arrow
left 1 will shoot at them.''IHe made a speech to the chiefs," continues Morris, "Twho
wanted to put me to death; which does him honor; and shows that'he Was acquainted with the law of nations; " We must not,' said hen'kill ambassadors; do we not send them  to the Flat-heads, our
greatest enemies, and they to us? Yet these are always treated
with hospitality."' 
After relieving the party of all but their canoe, clothing; and
arms, they were permitted to resume their course without farther
molestation.
Quitting the inhospitable camp of Pontiac, with poles and paddles, against,a strong current, they continued their course up
the beautiful Maumee, and, in seven days from their first out-setj
in the morning, they arrived and made a landing, within sight of
Fort Miami, (at this point) which, from the time of its capture,
after the death, of Holmes, the previous year, l had been without a
garrison, its only occupants being a few Canadians who had erec:
ted some huts within its enclosure; together with a imall number
of Indians who made it their place of shelter for a time. The
open points in the locality of the fort, at that time, were princai
pally covered with the wigwams of the Kickapoos, quite a large
body of whom having but lately reached here. On the opposite
side,j- covered by an intervening strip of forest, quite hiden from
view, stood the Miami villages.
Having brought the canoe to a place of landing, a short distance
below tho fort, and began the adjustment of some necessary affairs,
*The forime style of spelling the name, or at least as usually spelt by the English at
that time.
tAt the period of Morris' arrival at this point, and for manny years after, the reader
hnust infer that the huts of the Mianmies extended on both sides of the St. Joseph, dotting much of the field adjadent to the " lad Anthony Park" or orchard, including,
perhlaps, much of the present site of the orchard itself, and on. the opposite side, runl
nring as far west, as the Agricultural l Works aindl teirt(eabont.




I~SO           -THISTORYo oF e' ]FOT WAVNY.
his attendants strode off through the strip of woods" towards the
village; and it is stated as most fortunate that he thus remained
behind, for, scarcely had his attendants reached the open space beyond the woods, when they were met by a band of savages, armed
with spears, hatchets, and bows and arrows, resolutely determining
to destroy the Englishman, Morris.t Nd't yet perceiving him, the
chiefs accompanying Morris, began at olice to address them, and
to endeavor to dissuade them from their purpose, which had the
desired effect, at least, in so far as taking his life was concerned;
Coming up, in a few moments, to the point where Mlorris stood1
they at once began to threaten him and treat him very roughly,
and took him to the fort, where he was commanded to remain, forbidding the Canadians there to permit him to enter their huts. A
deputation of Shawanoe and Delaware chiefs, which tribes,'the
reader will remember, were at that time making great preparations to move against the English, though pretending to be friendly,
had recently come to the Miami village here, with fourteen warbelts, and with a view of arousing the Miamioe again to arhls against
the English; and it was to these that was mainly ascribed the cause
of lAorris' treatment on his arrival here. From this point they had
proceeded westward, arousing a similar spirit among all the
tribes from the Mississippi to the Ohio, avowing that.they would
never make friends wifh the English-that they would fight them
als lonc as the sun shone; and earnestly pressed the Illinois tribes
to join them in their terrible determination.
But Morris had not long remained at the fort, before two Miami
warriors came to him, and, with raised'tomahawks, grasped him
by the arms, forced him without the garrison, and led him to the
river. Walking forward into the water with him, Morris' first
thought was that the Indians sought to drown him, and then take
his cailp; but, instead, they led him across the stream, then quite
low, and moved towards the center of the Mliami village, on the.west side of the St. Joseph. Nearing the wigwams, the Indians
ceased to go further, and at once sought to undress him; but finding
the task rather difficult, they became quite angry thereatr
and iMorris himself, " in rage and despair," " tore off his uniform."'
Then tying his arms behind him with his own siash, the Indians
drove him forward into the village. Speedily issuing from  all
thle vigvwanms to see and receive the prisoner, in great numbers,
the Indians gathered about himn, "like a- swarm of angry bees,?'
giving vent; to terrific yells —" sounds compa red to which, the nocturnal howlings of starved wolves are gentle and melodious.'; The
largest portion of tie villagers were ifr killing him; but a division:rising between them, as to what wass best to do with him  readily:-This pointT must have been near or just below the confluence of the St. Marv and
S;. Joseph. A visit to and( little survey of tll these points, Awould render them the more
inte -resting and familiar to the thoughtful and curious.
jHis. O(ni p.'I nti(', p  471.:';Pa'k'?.!T,




EouarI TREATMENT OF M ORRIS AT THE lMIAMeI VILLAGE.  81
developed a vociferous debate; when two of the Canadians, of the
names of dodefroi and St. Vincent, who had accompanied him to
this point, and who had now followed him to the village, came forWard and began to intercede with the chiefs in behalf of their prisoner. A nephew of Pontiac was among the chiefs,-who is represented as a young man, possessing much of the bold spirit of his
uncle, and who heroically spoke against the propriety of killing the
prisoner; and Godefroi desisted, saying "that' he would not see
one of the Englishmen put to death, when so many of the Indians
were in the hands of the army at Detroit.'" A Miami chief, called
the Swan, is also represented as having protected the prisoner, and
cut the sash binding his arms. Morris, beginning now to speak in
his own defense, was again seized by a chief called the AVWhite Cat,
and bound to a post by the neck; at which another chief, called the
Pacanne, rode up on horseback, cut the band with his hatchet, at
once giving Morris his freedom again, exclaiming, as he did so, I
give this Englishman his life. If you want English meat, go to
Detroit or to the lake, and you will find enough of it VWhat business have you with this man, who has come to speak with us "
The determined will and bold words of Pacanne had the desired
effect. A change of feeling now readily began to show itself; and
the prisoner, without further words or beating from any of the crowd,
was soon violently driven out of the village, whither he soon made
his way to the fort. On his way, however, it is stated, an Indian
met him, and, with a stick, beat his exposed body.
His position was now most critical; and while the Canadians in
the fort Were disposed to protect him, they were yet loth to lay
themselves liable to distrust or danger; and the same warriors who
had taken him to the village, were now lurking about, ready to em.brace the first opportunity to kill him; while the Kickapoos, near
by, had sent him word that, if the Miamies did not kill him, they
would whenever he passed their camp. Again, on the eve of setting out on his journey  to the Illinois, notwithstanding the dangers now thickening about him, and the great distance yet before
him, his Canadian and Indian attendants strongly urged him not to
proceed farther; and, on the evening of this day, they held a council with the Miami chiefs, wherein it became the more evident that
his situation was most perilous, and that any attempt to continue
his journey would be most disastrous; and -while many messages
were continually reaching him, threatening to put an end to his
life, should he attempt to fulfill his mission, report was also conveyed to him that several of the Shawanoe deputies were then returning to the garrison expressly to kill him. Under these circumstances, readily abandoning his determinationi to proceed farther,
he soon began to row his bark towards Detroit, whither he arrived
on the 17th of September. Not finding Bradstreet there, as he had
anticipated, he having returned to Saiidns-'y and Morris now quite
weary and fatigued,    tno.able to proceOd farther:.ro tho e,' is
(6}




8+r>}p^23         -HisTroY OF Fonr WAYNE.
he had undergone, soon sent the former an account of his effobrts, i
wNhich, together "with the facts already presented, was the following
bearing' date September 18:
rlhe villains have nipped our fairest hopes in. the bud. I trem
ble for you at Sandusky; though I was pleased to innd you have
one of the vessels vwith you, and artillery. I wTish thIe chiefs wee
assembled on board the vessel, and that she had a hole in her botton,. Treachery should be paid with treachery  and t. is more
than ordinary pleasure to deceive those who would deceive us.:
Bradstreets main object in returning to Sandusky, was to fulfill
his promis e with the Delaware and Shawanoe ambassadors to meet
tlhemlrat that point, —about the period of Morris' return —to receive
lte prisorneOrs held by them, and conclude a treaty of peace. The
(epultation not coming to timeI left him m.uch disappointed torJ seve.rnl days, wvhen a ntumber of warriors of these tribes came to Bradstreet s camp with the plea, that, if he Vwould not attack them, they
-would bring the prisoners the next week, which Bradstree t readily
acceepted, and, removinog his camp to the carrying-place of Sadusky, lay in waiting for the Indians and tle priso:lers. Soon receivnil a letter i fom Gecneral Gage, condemnatory of his course, insi. ting that his mode of treatment with the Indians was inadequate
to efdect any goood results with thenm aand ordering himl to break engag)ements bwith thelmn and move upon the enemy at once -close
tipon thle receipt of wlich also came the journal of Captain Mforris,
enahbling him readily to see " how:r signally he had been duped, "
lthou.'h subsequent facts provecd that some good did result firom
sa'dstreet;s course with the Indians at Detroit, as many of them
L^:,d Ioecom)lc more reasonable and tnuil in their actiolns. Becornint1  dispirited and not seeing fit to comply with G-hicets
co.lmmands, lhe brole up his caimp) at Sandus]Cy, and w ended:hisi way'Loards Niagiara, meeting with many disasters on is voyage thither.
T.a' expedition under Bou quet, to the soLuthward. had now done
the work.  Ia'iaing penetrated to the center of the Delaware towns,
and into the most extensive settlements of the Shawanwus, about 15l
miles from r'ort Pitt, to the northwest, witIh a large body of regular
and provL-ciCal troops, hle soon humbled these w'R v and unrelentingT
tribes, andi speedily compelledt tiem to d.elver, all the prisoners in
Lhei r possessilo;1n
During, the frointier struggi. es, fo.r so-me yTears prior to b)ouquet s
campaign, lhndredss of fa:eies along the bordlers had. been matRti- ed an:d mLnly carried. awi-  to t the forest by the Indians  n and'ne!m' Boeuqu et t sta'ted o in cifs expedition against the Shlawanm s and
plavn-aw;res-, in the interiro- leaving the biorder settlements, he was
e   i.aely joined by oiae.v many w.l- years befi re, had los't their fiiends.,A-mol?; the neany prisoner s,ron-nought into the camp of Bouc ueL
(ovr t.wo hntnm'cWlr.t r, in all.) w ilfe hin tl.e settlements of these tribes,
hlus:-ds'o:l.'    wm.i.e, d.d par, ents tlteir children, fiomn whom




BOUQUET AiND TlTE CAPTIVES-EFEVCTING SCENE.   83
they had been separated for years. Women, frantic between hope
and fear, were rtirning hither and thither, looking? piercingly into
the face of' every child, to find their own, which, perhaps, had
diedc-and then such shrieks of agony I Some of the little captives
shrank from their own forgotten mothers, and hid in terror in the
blankets of the squaws that had adopted them. Some that had
been taken away young, had grown up and masrried Indian husbands
or Indian wives, now stood utterly bewildered with conflicting
emotions. A young Virginian had found his wife; but his little
boy, not two years old when captured, had been torn from her, and
had been carried off no one knew whither. One day, a warrior camne
in leading a child. No one seemed to own it. But soo'n the mother
knew her offspring, and screaming with joy, folded. her son to her
bosom. An old woman had lost her granddaughter in the French
war, nine years before. All her other relatives had died under the
knife. Searching, with trembling eagerness, in each face, she at
last recognized the altered features of her child. But the girl had
forgotten her native tongue, and returned no answer, and made no
sign. The old woman groaned, and complained bitterly, that the
daughter she had so often sung to sleep on her knees, had forgotten
her in her old age. Soldiers and officers were alike overcome.
" Sing," said Bouquet to the old lady, "sing' the sonlg you used to
sing." As the low trembling tones beoan to ascend, the wild girl
gave one sudden start, then listening for a moment longer, her
frame shakino like an ague, she burst into a passionate flood of
tears. She was indeed the lost child. All else had been efflaced
from her memory, save the recollection of that sweet song of her
infancy. She had heard it in her dre'ims.* The tender sensibilities and affectionate throbbings so often manLifested by the civilized soul under heavy affliction, were feelinos foreign, as a general
rule, to the Indian heart. His temperament was iron; he had ever
been nurtured in an opposite condition of growth; and, consequently, he is said to have held such expressions of the heart in contempt; but when the song of the old lady was seen by them to
touch the captive's heart and bring her again to a mothers arms,
they were overcome with emotion, and the heart of the Indian beat
heavily under the weight of feeling that suddenly convulsed him
as he gazed upon the strange scene then enacted.
~Many captive women who returned to the settlenments with their
friends soon after made their escape, aind wandered back to their
Indian husbands again, so great was the change that had tasken
place in their natures. Such was the magnetic power of the tIdian
and the wilds of the forest over the civilized soul.
Thie English having now subdued the tribes of thle noor.thvest,
and completed definite ttis treaties with the at Niag'ara, began tt
contemplate a further move to the wyt: tl(d north, with a view to
securingo the country  csand cpos.ts tn tO.we 114his antll  MississisSppi;. "  States3 and. Territo.io,s- of:/h ts - teat - l s',"' ps-^ o,,^'i. 1 i3.,




84-               HISTORY OF FORT WAYs,.
of which Pontiac soon became aware, and, leaving his place of
seclusipn on the MIaumee, where Morris had met him and received
such harsh treatment at the hands of his warriors, with four hundred of his chiefs, about the close of autumn, passed up to this
point, (Fort Wayne) and, after a short stay, on to the Wabash, and
thence to the Mississippi, arousing the tribes at every point to prepare to meet and destroy the English; and, having gained the
French settlements and other places where the French traders and
/abitcans were to be met, and where the flag of France was still
displayed, (for the French held the country about the Illinois, Mississippi, and to the southward, as far as New Orleans, for some
time after the loss of Canada and the upper posts,) the French furtraders and engaees, who dreaded the rivalry of the English in the
fur-trade, readily gave encouragement to Pontiac and his followers,
still insisting that the King of France was again awake, and his
great armies were coming; " that the bayonets of the white-coated
warriors would soon glitter amid the forests of the Mississippi."
But Pontiac seemed doomed to disappointment and failure; and,
after repeated efforts- having visited New Orleans, to gain the aid
of the French governor of Louisiana, he returned again to the west,
Determining to try the virtues of peace proposals in advance of
the army to the westward'and southward, Sir William Johnsoh
sent forward two messengers, Lieut. Fraser and George Croghan,
to treat with the Indians on the Mississippi and Illinois. After
many hardships, and the loss of their stores, through the severity
uf the winter, &c., they reached Fort Pitt, where, after some delay
1ailnd the severe cold had subsided, with a few attendants, Fraser
mruade his way safe]y down the Ohio for a thousand miles, wherej
c.oming to a halt he met with very rough treatment from the Indians. A short time after, in the month of May, Croghan, with
some Shawnoe and Delaware attendants, also moved down the Ohio,
as far as the mouth of the Wabash, where, being fired upon by a
party of Kickapoos, and several of the attendants killed, Croghan
and the remainder were taken prisoners, whither they proceeded to
Vincennes, where, finding many friendly Indians, he was well received, and the Kickapoos strongly censured for their work. From
this point they went to Ouiatenon, arriving there on the 23d, where
also Croghan met a great many friendly Indians. Here he began
to make-preparations for a council, and was met by a large number of Indians, who smoked the pipe of peace with him. Soon receiving an invitation, from St. Ange, to visit Fort Chartres, lower
dovwn, Croghan, accompanied by a large number of Indians, left
Ouiatenon for that point, and had not journeyed far when they met
Pontiac andc a large body of chiefs and warriors. Pontiac shook
the hand of Crogha.n, who at once returned with the party to Ouiatenon, where a great concourse of chiefs and warriors were gathered.
ptiac complained that the French had deceived him, and,ofifer'ad t1e calunmet and peace-belt, professing strong concurrence




CROGIHANKS JOURNAL.                 85
with the Ouiatenon chiefs in their expressions of friendship for the
English.
At the conclusion of this meeting, collecting the tribes here he
had desired to meet, he soon took up his line of march, followed
by Pontiac and a large number of chiefs, and set out towards Detroit, crossing over to this point, Fort Miami, and the village adjacent.
Having kept a regular journal of his mission, filling it up at
every point on the route,-from  which the fo'egoing is principally drawn,-while here, he wrote,
" August 1st, (1765). The Twigtwee (Twightwee) village is situated on both sides of a river, called St. Joseph, This river where
it falls into the Miami (Maumee) riyer, about a quarter of a mile
from this place, is one hundred yards wide, on the east side of
which stands a stockade fort, somewhat ruinous.*
"The Indian village consists of about forty or fifty cabins, besides nine or ten French houses, a runaway colony from Detroit,
during the late Indian war; they were concerned in it, and being
afraid of punishment, came to this point, where ever since they
have spirited up the Indians against the English. * *''
The country is pleasant, the soil is rich and well watered. After
several conferences with these Indians, and their delivering me up
all the English prisoners they had, on the 6th of August we set out
for Detroit, down the Miamis river in a canoe.
" Auust 17th.-In the morning we arrived at the fort, (Detroit)
which is a large stockade, inclosing about eighty hduses; It stands
close on the north side of the river, on a high bank, commands a
very pleasant prospect for nine miles above, and nine miles below
the fort; the country is thickly settled with French, their plantations
are generally laid about three or four acres in breadth on the river,
and eighty acres in depth; the soil is good, producing plenty of
grain."t Says the Canadians were both poor and idle,-some 300
or 4:00 families, depending mainly upon the Indians for subsistence;
had adopted the Indian manners and customs, raising but little
grain, and all, men, women, and children, speaking the Indian language perfectly well, etc.
Many Ottawas, Pottawattamies, and Ojibwas were now  assembled, and, in the same old council hall where Pontiac, some months
before, by stratagem, had essayed to overthrow the English,. great
throngs of relenting warriors readily convened in obedience to the
call of the English ambassador. The expressions among the tribes
and deputies of tribes present, was one of mingled repentence and
regret; and on the twenty-seventh of August, Croghan addressed
them, after their own figurative style, as follows:
"Children, we are very glad to see so many of you here present,Any one, from this account, can at any time easily ascertain the site of the old
English fort,, Miami, of which the reader is already quite familiar.
t" Western 4anals," pages 184 and 185.




86              HISTORY OF FORT WAY'.E.
at your ancient council-fire, which laas been neglected for some
time past; since then, high winds have blown, and raised heavy
clouds over your country. I now, by this belt, rekindle your ancient fire, and throw dry wood upon it, tha:t the blaze may ascend
to heaven, so that all nations may see it, and know that you live in
peace and tranquility with your fathers the English.
"By this belt I disperse all the black clouds fi;om over your
heads, that the sun may shine clear on your women and children,
that those unborn may enjoy the blessings of this general peace,
now so happily settled between your fathers the English and you,
and all your younger brethren to the sun-setting.
" Children, by this belt I gather up all the bones of your deceased friends, and bury them deep in the ground, that the buds
and sweet flowers of the earth may grow over them, that we may
not see them any moree.
" Children,,with this belt [ take the hatchet out of your hands,
and pluck up a large tree, and bury it deep, so that it may never
be founlT any more;and I plant the tree of peae.e, which all our
children may sit under, and smoke in peace with their fathers.
" Childreen, we have made a road from the sunrising to the sunsetting. J desire that you will preserve that road good and pleasant to travel upon, that we may all share:the blessing of this
happy union."
Closing this great peace-gathering about the last of September,
1765, and after exacting a promise from Pontiac that he would
visit Oswego in the spring, and, in behalf of all the tribes he had
so recently led against the English, conclude a treaty of peace and
amity with Sir William Johnson, Croghan left the scene of his successful labors, and wended his way towards Niagara.
About the period of the first snow, the 42d regiment of Hig-hlandes, a hundred strong, having moved down the Ohio, from Fort'
Pitt, commanded by Capt. Sterling, arrived at Fort Chairtres. The
flur dCe UIs of France was soon lowered; and, in its stead, the Englislh planted their standlard and forever destroyed the French
power in ALmerica-aholding, as the English then did, and for
many years subsequent,  all the vwestern posts, firom Canada to the
Illinois-wvhich leit the Indians also with but little to hope for.
When sprling c. ame, Pontiac, true to hisi word, vWith his canoe,
left his old home on the, M eaumee, for Osweo, whither he soon arrived, and where he made a gfreat speech, and  sealed his submission to the English" forrever.
His (canoe laden with the presents he had' received at the great
council Iof Oswego, he rowecl rapidly toward the' Maumee again,
where lhe is said to have spent the following winter, living "in the
forest wxitlh his wives and children, and hunting like an ordinary
warriok." In the spring of 1767i, considerable discontent began.
again to manifest itself amnong the tribes " from the lakes to the
Potoimac,' and from which eventually came the spilling of much




DEIATH- OF PONTIAC.                   87
blood as at former periods, along the frontier. The Indians Iacl
been disturbed-in the possession of their lands, and had beoaun another terrible resentment. Pontiac had now long strangely kept
out of the way. Whether he had been party to the agitation alonog
the border or not, was not know'n; but many had. their suspicions.
For two years subsequent to this period, Pontiac seelms to have
kept so close, some where,l that few, if any, but his own imnmemdiate friends, perhaps, knew or heard of his whereabouts. In the
month of April," 1769, however, he seems again to have visited
the Illinois, and thoug'h not knowing that he had anything special
in view, yet the English in that region were excited by his movements, From this point, he soon after startec for the (then) French
settlement of St. Louis, (Mo.), where he was soon after murdered.
The account of his death, as derived from the most reliable
sources, is, that le was killed by an Illinois Indian, of the Kaskaskia tribe; that hle had been to a feast with some of the French
Creoles of Cahokia, opposite the present site of the city of St. Louis,
and became drunk. Leaving -the place of carousal, and entering
an adjacent forest, the murderer stole quickly upon him and dispatched him with his tomahawk, striking him. on the head; that
the assassin had been instigated to the act by an Englishman of
the name of Williamson, who had agreed to give him a barrel of
whisky, with a promise of something besides, if lhe would kill the
Ottawa chieftain, which he readily accepted. Says (ouin's account:
"' From Miami (here) Pontiac went to Fort Chartres, on the Illinois. in a few years, the English, who had possession of the fort,
procured an Indian of the Peoria nation to kill him. The news
spread like lig'htning through the country. The I'dians assembled
in great lnumbers, attacked and destroyed all tbh. Peorias, except
about thirty'families, which were received intd the fort."  And
the death of Pontiac was revenged. His spirit could rest in peace.
Such was Indian usage. And thus closed the career of one of Nature's most singular and resolute types of aboriginal character; of
whom Croghlan wrote in his journal and sent to Gen. Gage in 1765:' Pontiac is a shrewd, sensible Indian, of few words, and commands more respect among his ownrl nation than any Indian I
ever saw could do amonog his own tribe.:,It was in this year that a definitive cession of the province of Louisiana, —which
hiad formerly extended over the entire territory now known as the State of Indiana,
was terminated (because pf tthe great losses sustained at various times in its maintelance by the French government) between France and Spain, the latter becomning,-by
secret treaty, nade some years prior, (1764) between Louis 14th, and the [ King' of
Spain,-sole possessor of the province. And the surrender of St, Louis, by St. An.ge,
with the Engllsht already in possessioi of all Louisiana east of the Mississippii, closoed
forever the domninion of the Frenclx in lthe Tew'World.




CHAPTER VIIi.
e' A sound like a sound of thunder rolled,
And the heart of a nation stirredFor the bell of Freedom at midnight tolled,
Through a mighty land was heard,
t   v,-  X; h X  *   k  X
It was heard by the fettered and the braveIt was heard in the cottage, and in the hallAnd its chime gave a glorious summons to all."
WM. Ross WALLACE,
The struggle for Independence-Causes that led to the Revolution-The men of'76 —:
Triumph over old conditions-Final treaty of peace-Foreshadowings of former
ages realized in the founding of the New Republic.
-..0 —---
CS the great earth upon which we live swings with a lighter
air in its orbit as the many inharmonious conditions and the
great forests upon its surface are cleared away and reduced
to ashes by the necessities of improvement, so the advancing
tide of human civilization brings\ to the circumambient air of
human relations a less rarefied and more brilliant atmosphere of
intellectual strength and love of Freedom.
But the great soul of nature is never still-never ceases to act,
to push forward, as with some imponderable impulse, to work out
and develop a great and beautiful Future; and scarcely had the
French and Indian war of 1759 and 1760 ceased its action, when
the colonial settlements of the New 5World began to exhibit a
spirit of dissatisfaction, produced by the acts of the English parliament, and King, that foreshadowed in the (then) not far distant
future a momentous and long-protracted struggle; and the heroic
James Otis, then advocate-general of the province of Massachusetts,
replying to Gridley, advocate for the crown, readily gave new
strength and vigor to the foreshadowing.  Said he, with great emphasis, on the occasion in question: " To my dying day, I will oppose, with all the power and faculties God has given me, all such
instruments (Writs of Assistance for the collection of revenue from
the colonists) of slavery on one hand, and villainy on the other."
Tlhe same formidable power, with colonial aid, that had crushed




BEG-INNING OF TaHu AMEICcAN PREVOLUTION.     89
and despoiled the French in Canada, and, for a time, mainly subdued the Indians of the northwest, had now (1761) begun to present a rigorous front towards the colonists; and though this point,
a few years subsequent to the formidable effort of Pontiac, against
the English, had remained in comparative quiet, in so far, at least,
as the historic accounts run, yet, as step by step the struggle for
Independence continued, and at length the strengthened voice of
civilization on the new continent, echoing along the ridges of the
Alleghanies and through the massive gloom of forest towards the
setting sun, startling the little English garrisons at Detroit and
other points into momentary activity, and awakening again the
aboriginal tribes to a new consideration of their future, this again
readily became a point of the greatest importance in both a civil
and military point of view; and dearly was it bought by the efforts
of the American army, as will be seen in subsequent pages.
The first straggle on the new continent had readily scattered the
seed that was to bring forth a second, a third, and a fourth revolution. And, as the accelerated action of the globe becomes less commotionate and easier in its rotative movement, as the refining process of its surface advances, and its internal heat and compressed air
are reduced and evolved through volcanic eruptions, earthquakes,
and fissury expansion, so the new colonial settlements were destined only to enjoy a wider range of social and governmental Freedom in proportion as they removed the barriers of the forest, and
became earnest, efficient, and resolute in action against the further
aggression and power of the British Crown on the new continent;
and, as this germ of glorious determination and advancement in
the establishment of free institutions seemed only destined to expand to a fair expression of vital force and activity through the aggressive movements of the English Government; so the latter began to exercise an undue control over the colonies of the New
World, by a gradual disturbance, in various ways, of their colonial
relations-at one time interfering with the charter of Connecticut;
at another, levying heavy duties upon certain articles of importation into America; and the adoption, soon after, of strenuous measures for the collection thereof-insisting that the colonists should
defray the expenses of the French andIndian war, upon the ground
that it had been waged in defence of the colonies.
Intense discord and excitement rapidly arose among the colonists. The people gathered at different points. Declamation met
declamation. Protest followed protest; and the agitation was still
increased by the passage of the famous " Stamp Act," by the
English Parliament of 1765, which imposed heavy stamp duties
upon all newspapers, almanacs, bonds, notes, etc., issued in America. And again determination followed determination. Resistance became universal and incontrollable. The spirit of Freedom had found a place in every true colonial heart; and resistence,
even to the sword and bayonet, if need be, became at length a fixed




.U0                 HIsTo'rY OF FoRT WVSANE,
and unalterable cletermination throughout the colonies. Patrick
lenry, amid the cris of 6' Treason!" "' Treason!" in the House of
Burgesses, in Virginia, thrilled the masses with a magnetic fire of
determination tlat gave new impetus to colonial resentment.. And
"ttreason!' tre!"son!" as the yellow leaf of autumn, fluttering
for a moment upo- the passing breeze, falls gently to the earth,
was as soon drowned by the eloquent voice of Henry; and " give
me liberty, or give me death!" rapidly arose upon the tumultuous
air of the colonial settlements.
English soldiers soon making their appearance in Boston, (Sept,
27, 1768,) harsh treatment and imperious demands soon awakened
resentment. A collision between the citizens and soldiers, in which
three Americans were killed, was the result. Determining neither
to use, nor to pay tax upon tea, three ships laden with this article,
arriving in Boston harbor were boarded at night by a party of
disguised Bostonia.ns2 and the tea was hurled into the water.
Parliament still sternly demanding to be regarded in her claims
and finding it out of tie question either to bribe or buy the patriotic
coloists, soon began more strenuous measures of contrQl. The
colonists rapidly formed into bodies of militia.' Minuite men,"
ready for action at a moment's notice, sprang up at every hand.
The English Parliallent had declared Massachusetts to be in a
state of rebellion, and more troops came over. " Boston Neck"
was fortified by the English, and the Patriots, concealing their canm
nons in loads of manure, and their ammunition and cartridges in
market baskets and candle-boxes, gradually passed the guards to
a point beyond Boston, unmolested. Concord, N. H-., became a
prominent point, whither the patriots gathered their stores and
ammunitioi, etc. Generai Gage, then commanding the English
forces, thought to route the colonists from this point, ind ohe night
secretly dispatched an army of eight hundred men towards Concord for the purpose. The Patriots heard of th'eir coming. The
bells of the place were rung; guns were fired and the minute men
were in arms. "Disperse, ye rebels," cried Gage, confronting the
colonists and discharging his horse-pistols. The En'lish soldiery
followed wvith a discharge of musketry. A number fell on the
colonial side, and, giving way, the British passed on to Concord.
A few houis later; the English, starting on their return to Boston,
the colonists havino -gathered in large numbers fromn different points,
and posted themselves behind bairns, trees, houseS, and fences
opened a terrible fire uponl them from every side, aind before reaching,Boston, tle formime were well-nigh destroyed.
The first blood was now spilled, and the account of the battle of
Lexington aroused, at every point, the whole colonial population
of America. " The farmer left his plow, and the mnechihnic his
work-shop. Even old'men and boys," says the records, "hastened
to arm themselves"- the wife girding "the sword about her hu'sband;" the mother blessing her son, and bidding him " go strike




THIE DELLAMIATION OF INDEPENDENCE.        91
a blow for his. couuntry." The colonists were ripe for the struggle. A
new era was to dawn upon the world; and Freedom was destined to
triumph.
As demand calls for supply; as necessities superinduc and develope the requisites of any great movement, so there soon appeared upon.the colonial stage a Franklin, a Washington, a Jay,
a Jefferson, a Hancock, an Adams, a Monroe, a Randolph, a
Thompson, a Lee, an Otis, a Wayne, ai Henry, a Hamilton, a Knox,
a Clinton, a Miflin, a Pickens, a Morgan, a Green, a Morris, a Lincoln, a Marion, a Sumpter, a Tarleton, a Sullivan, a Jones, a Hoptkins, a Rutledge, a Gates, a Putnamm, a Trumbull, a WVm. Washington, a Bainbridge, a Schuyler, a Warren, etc.
Ticonderoga, had now, (May. 10th, 1765,) fallen into the hands
of the Americans; the Continential Congress, for the second time,
was in session at Philadelphia; GEOrGE WASHINGTON became commander-in-chief of the colonial army; gTeat quantities of paper
currency were.isued, the great battle of Bunker Hill was soon
fought; and the war for.AAmerican Indepeildence had begun with
an earnestness and determination only equalled by the glorious
spirit that gave birth and impetus to thle struggle.
At length theh  h of July' 1776, came, The Continental Congress had received, considered, and, o'n this hallowed and evermemorable day, adopted a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDErNCE. The
great old bell of Independence Hall soon rang out upon the still
air the glorious consummation; and every where the heart of the
colonist thrilled with joy. In the midst of discord, and under
heavy travail, the new continent had given birth to a rare and
beautiful child of Freedom and Progress, destined to live and become more glorious, happy, free, and beautiful as time rolled on.
As before this eventful and happy hour,-with now a victory;
now retreat and momentary defeat; now suffering with cold and
hunger; annon encountering the savages of the forest, pushed on by
British influence, for seven years the war continued; durin wvhich
period, the American forces had been joined by many brave and
patriotic men from the Old World, whose souls had caught the
spirit of the hour, and whose great love of Freedom brought them
to the rescue of the struggling cause on the new continent; amoug
whom were Lafayette, Kosciusko, De Kalb,' Pulaski, Baron Stenben, and France herself, but a few years before defeated by the
British in Canada, and at other points, also became an ally of the
Americans, and rendered valuable aid in the cause of Freedom.
Effecting a final treaty of peace with the British September 3,
1788; and from that time forward rapidly gaining strength and
recovering from the great pressure so long hanging over them,
on the 4th of March the old Continental Congress ceased to be, and
the main elements of the present FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, under
which our Republic has for so many years existed, and, under every
adversity, maintained its primitive spirit of independence, becatme




MS H2ITSTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
the organic basis of the new governmental superstructure of
America. A glorious era in the World's History had now begun.
A month and two days later, (April 6th, 1789,) by the unanimous voice of the electors, the surveyor, the hero, and the soldier; the statesman and the philanthropist; the lover of Truth and
Goodness; the successful leader of the colonial army, and the man
of Progress in Governmental Freedom " and the pursuit of HAPPINESS"-GEORGE WASHINGTON, of Virginia, became first President,
and the good and patriotic JOHN ADAMS, f Massachusetts, first
Vice-President of the United States.
The beautiful germ of the Ideal Republic of Plato, cast upon
the soil of the World's necessities more than two thousand years
before; the great principles of civil and religious liberty, involving at once "the inalienable rights of man" and the fundamental
truths and necessities of continued progression in all that pertained
to his welfare in mental and physical growth, as the only safe and
sure road to ultimate happiness and good government, seen,
acknowledged, and declared years prior to the departure of Columbus on his great voyage of discovery; and which " had shaken
thrones and overturned dynasties" long before the regicidal fate of
Charles the First, had now, within the wild domain of the Now
World, begun to bear their first fruits, and to give promise of a
continued and still more glorious fruitage in the years to come.




CHAPTER IX.
" Where are the hardy yeomen
Who battled for this land,
And trode these hoar old forests,
A brave and gallant bard?
They knew no dread of danger,
When rose the Indian's yell;
Right gallantly they struggled.
Right gallantly they fell."-CCHsARLES A. JONES.
— 0
Peaceful Attitude of affairs it the close of the great council at Osweg —A desire for
more room-Movements of small parties westward-How they lived-Their dislike of extensive settlements —The English colonists-Habits and vicissitudes of
the early pioneers-Their appearance, houses, furniture, etc.-"Tomahlawk rights"
-The cabins often too "cluss "-Dangers and hardships-Efforts of Patrick
Henry-Appointment of George Rogers Clark-His movement down the OhioReaches Louisville, Ky.-Starts for Kaskaskia-Takes the place by storm —The
"Long Knives"-The stratagem-Fright of the villagers-Father Gibault and
others visit Clark-The inhabitants permitted to attend church-Expect to be
separated —Revisit of Father Gibault and pasty-Clark's response-Joy of the
villagers-An expedition against Cahokia-Capture of that place and Vincennes
-Appointments by Clark-" Big Door" —A " talk "-Big Door declares for the
Long Knives-Clark organizes a company of French-Moves against the Indians
-Brings them to terms-His movements reach the English at Detroit-Hamilton,
the English Governor, moves against Vineennes, with a view to re-capture the
lost posts-Vincennes retaken by(the British-Clark hears of the event, and soon
captures the fort again —Hamilton and others sent to Virginia-No further
troubles from the English-La Balme's expedition to this point-Flight oi the Indians-La Balme withdraws-Pursued by the Indians, under Little Turtle, and
the whole party destroyed.
CAJT TTHE CLOSE of the great treaty of Sir William              Johnson
with the different tribes of the north-west, at Oswego, in the
~,spring of 1766, at which Pontiac himself appeared and con]     eluded a final reconciliation in behalf of all the tribes formerly
banded under his leadership, it was generally thought by the
colonists and those settlements along the Alleghenies and at other
points westward, that further danger from the tribes was at an end.
The English flag was now waving over all the posts from Niagara
to the Mississippi; and while the settlements along the borders*
and beyond were yet sparse and scattering, there arose a strong
+Which, at that period, extended but little westward of the Alleghany mountains.




94                 HTIsTORY OF Fo0T WAY2NE.
diesire for more room among the settlers, and hundreds of resolute
mJen were soon on the march seeking new homies in the wilderness
~of the west. After so much warfare, the peaceful quietudes of the
border and more easterly settlements were more than they could
abide, and the wild scenes of the distant forest afforded a fair interchange for the former excitement and vicissitudes of war.
Starting out in small parties, the adventurous settlers would'move westward far interiorward, then separating, they would traverse large extents of country, and at length, each selecting a site
for himself, would settle down in the primeval forest, far fiom any
scenes of civilization or civilized associates, and living much like
the Indians, they soon became as reckless and indifferent as the
most savage of the red men around them. It is related of those
early times that one of those pioneer settlers left his clearing and
started for the forests of the westi for the reason that another had.
settled so near to him that he could hear the report of his rifle;
while yet another, seeing from the valley of his location, smoke
curling in the distance, is said to have gone fifteen miles to dis-.cover its emanation, and finding new-comers there, " quit the country in disgust."' More " elbow-room i  was wanted. Such were at
least some of the extreme expressions of the time.
The Enolish colonists were hardy, daring, self-reliant men, Unlike former periods in, the old world, when one nation was often
suddenly overrun by another, both in their military and migratory
movements, they pushed gradually forward; and while many were
destroyed, they yet, onl the one liand, succeeded in reducing the
Indians to a state of submission, through fear of extermination,
while, on the other, the pioneer, relving entirely on his own bravery
and prowess, with what aid each could render the other, in times
of attack upon the settlements, &c., long held possession of a large
region of country, and this aided in laying the basic structure of
future greatness. Long accustomed to the exposure and the vicissitudes of a life on the frontier and in the wilderness, it is not surprising that these hardy men became dcarin and implacable, often
restless for the achievement of some momentary victory or revenge.
Adventurous men now soon began to crowd upon the Indians; their
lands were being overrun by the colonists and while the Indians
were disposed to present, for the most part, a friendly front towards
the British, they yet cut down the settlers,'ad, thiough the English, readily made war upon the colonial settlements during the
Rlevolution. Born and bred amid scenes of hardship, these early
pioneers were naturally hardy and active, often caring but little
for the common comforts of life or the roulghest weather. "' Wild
as untamed nature, they could screanm with the panther, howl with
the wolf, whoop with the-Indian, and fight all creation." It is related of one of these strangely rough adventurers in the history of
the west, th.:at, having "; been tomanhawkled, and hiis scalp started,




EARLY PIONEERS-TitiIR I-IABITS, APPEARANCE, ETC.  95
lie might yet be killed sometime, as the lightning had tried him on
once, and would have done the business up for him- if he haldn't
dodged.:  Constantly associating with the Indians, many of them
not only becamne demi-s'avage in appearance, but'" frequently assumed the whole savage character."
A little description of their appearance, ordinary costumes, habits of life, housess, etq., will be of interest to the present generation.
A coonskin cap, xithi the tall dangling' at the back of the neck,
and the snout drooping Upon the forehead; long burcTskin leggins,
sewed with. a wid6 fringed welt, down the outside of the legs'; a
long, narrow strip of coarse cloth, passing around the hips and between the thighs, was brought up before and behind under tie
belt, and hung down flapping, as they walked; a loose deerskin
frock, open in front, and lapping once and a half round the body,
was belted at the middle, forming convenient wallets on each side
for chunks of lhoecake, tow, jerked venison, screw-driver, and
other fixings; and a pair of Indian moccasins completed the primitive hunter's most unique apparel. Over the whole was slung a
bullet-pouch and powder-horn. From behind the left hip dangled
a scalping-knife; from the right protruded the handle of a hatchet;
both weapons stuck in leathern cases. Every hunter carried an
awl, a roll ot buckshina and strings of hide, called " whangs," for
thread. In the winter loose deer-hair was stuffed into the moccasins to keep the feet wTarm.  The pioneers lived in rude log-houtsesi
covered, generally, with pieces of timber, about three feet in lengthr
and six inches im wlidth called  shakes," and laid over the roof
instead of shingcles. They had neithernails, gass, saws, nor brick.
The holues hacd huge slab doors, pinned togethler with wooden
pins' The light came cdow;n the chimney, or through a hole in the
logs, covered with a greased cloth. A scraggy hemlock sapling, the knots left a foot long, served for a stairway to the upper
story, Their fiurniture consisted of tamarack bedsteads, framed
into the walls, and a few shelves supported on long' wooden pins;
sometimes a chair or two, but more often, a piece split off a tree,
and so trlmmedj that the branches served for legs, Their utensils
were very simple; generally nothing but a skillet, which serve(d
for baking, boiling, roasting, washMlnodishes, making mush, scalding turkeys, cooking sassafras tea, and; making soap. A Johnycake board, instead of a dripping-pan,.hung oh a peg in every
house, The corn was cracked into s coarse meal, by pounding it
in a wooden mortar. As soon as swine could be kept away fiom
thle bears, o,' rather, the bears away from thelm the' pioneers induloged in a dish of pork and corn, boiled together, and known
among them as "hog and hominy." Fried pork they called " Old
Ned."Quite the opposite of the early French settlers, who formed
themselves into small communities, and tended their fields in corn-' States and Territories of the Great West," pages 14-, 143, 144, 145.




96                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
mon, the yankee pioneer " went the whole length for irndividual
property," each settler claiming for himself three hundred acres of
land, and the privilege of taking a thousand more, contiguous to
his clearing; each running out his own lines for himself, chipping
the bark off the trees, and cutting his name in the wood; which
claims, thus loosely asserted, were then called " tomahawk rights,"
and were readily regarded by each emigrant. The first work that
claimed the attention of the settler was that of felling the trees
about him in order to make an opening and to prepare his houselogs, for the erection of a cabin,  sleeping, meanwhile, under a
bark cover, raised on crotches, or under a tree." A story is related
of one of these pioneers, that, after the completion of his cabin,
he could hardly stomach it." The logs were unchinked, the doorway open, the chimney gaping widely above him, but he complained that the air was yet too " cluss," and that he was compelled
to sleep outside for a night or so in order " to get used to it."
Such, runs the record, "were the people, and such their modes
of living, that began to spread themselves throughout the west,
between the close of Pontiac's war and the commencement of the
Revolution. Then, when that struggle came on, new difficulties
gathered thickly around the scattered settlements. The reduction
of the wilderness was a huge task of itself, even with every encouragement, and without opposition of any sort. But the Anglo Saxon
seemed to have had everything arrayed against him. Not only
the forest, and the wild beasts, and untold privations, stood in the
way of his progress,'but the French first tried to crowd him out;
then the Indians sought to kill him; and, lastly, the British turned
against their own flesh and blood, and bribed the savages to take
his life. While the armies of England were roving over and wasting the whole Atlantic coast, from Massachusetts to Georgia, the
British Governor at Detroit,'and his agents at the forts on the Wabash, and Maumee rivers, (including the fort at this point,) and at
Kaskaskia, were busily engagedin inciting the Indians to deeds of
rapine and murder on the western frontier. The teirible scenes of
the old French war, and of Pontiac's war, were often re-enacted,
The pioneers, however, were a different class of men from those
who had previously suffered in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and
who frequently precipitately fled from their burning dwellings,
There was an iron will and temper in these later settlers that presented a front far different from those who, some years before, hac
fled before the combined forces of the savages and French. Not
waiting to be smoked or burnt out, or have their skulls opened with
the tomahawk; their throats cut or scalps taken, the yankee pioneers met their assailants, and took a ready hand in the game of
fight; and no sooner was it understood that the British were engaged in inciting the Indians against the American settlers, than it
was resolved to push the war into the very forest itself-to the very
threshold of the enemy. Patrick Henry, then Governor of Vir



MOVEMENTS OF GEORGE IOGiRSR CLARE,.          9
ginia, soon snuffed the air of the pioneer settlements. Ie saw the
situation. His soul arose equal to the emergency, and was among
the first to propose a plan of relief for these sufferers of the forest.
On the 2d of January, 1778, he issued instructions to the farmers, and
directed the heroic Lt.-Col. Geo. Rogers Clark, of Albermarle county, Virginia, to "proceed with all convenient speed to raise seven
companies of soldiers, to consist of fifty men each, officered in the
usual manner, and armed most properly for the enterprise, and
with that force to attack the British fort at Kaskaskia;" charoing
him, most explicitly, as follows:' During the whole transaction,
you are to take especial care to keep the true destination of vour
force secret; —its success depends on this." The sa.gacious Ioresight of Henry kIew thct man for the work.
Clark set about the task with a wVill. He was born a hero, al(nd
was said to be one of the finest looking men of his dary, and would
readily " have attracted attention among a thousand."  Conscious
dignity is said to have sat gracefully upon him. Agreeable in
temper; manly in deportment; intelligent in conversation;,arogely
competent as an oficer; vivacious and bold of spirit, Col. Cla..rko
was the man for the occasion,
His captains havinrg reached Fort Pitt in the month of June,:'
with less than six lines, in companies, with boats in readiness,
Clark and his little army were soon aboard, and floating down
the Ohio, whither they descended to the falls, in view of the present site of Louisville, Ky., where they encamped, hoping to obtain
cadditional force from Kentucky stations; but, after some consideration touching these posts, deeming it unwise to reduce  their
strengh, witlh one hundred and fifty-three men, Col. Clark, armed
after the Indian style, continued his course to the mouth of the
Tennessee river. Obtaining important information at this point
relative to the British posts on the Upper Mississippi, and sinking
his boats to prevent discovery, he started overland to surprise and
capture Kaskaskia. Each man carrying his own baggage and rations, through marshes and forests, for a distance of one hundred
and twenty miles, often knee-deep in water, with their apparel
dirty and ragged, beards unshaven for three weeks, presenting altogether a wild, frightful aspect, on the evening of the Fourth of
July, 1778, Clark and his men approached Kaskaskia, and concealed themselves about the hills east of the Kaskaskia river.
Sending out spies to watch the inhabitants/ soon after night-fall, he
was again in motiun, and took possession of a house, inl which a
family resided, about:three-quarters of a mile from the town, which
contained about two hundred and fifty dwellings. Finding boats
and canoes at this point, Clark divided his troops into three paw*The general inconveniences of the day —the t,thok l fre,pets, eta., a1. ortbieod to render
everything in the way of military a1nd ploneer tmoveirnprl  exet celi'wgy i(ow, and ot'(tei
precarious.                  (7)




98              IISTORY OF FORT WAYT.
ties-two to cross the river, while the other, with Clark himselfi
moved forward and took command of the ftrt.
The Indians and French had long known the New Englander's by
the appellation of o Bostonias," and the Virginiais by that of
"LoDng-Knives-"  Many strange and fearful stories had long gone
forth among the French of these posts concerning the Long-Knives;
English officers visiting the Kaskaskians, had told them that the
Long-Knives would not only take their property, butwere so brutal and ferocious that they "would butcher, in the most horrible
manner, ment Women, and children 1 "-a fact that had previously
reached the ear of Clark, and in pretension, at least, as the mest
salutary means of effecting his purpose, he determined to carry
out the idea and take the inhabitants by storm; and, accordingly,
persons who could speak the French language, were directed to
pass through the streets of the town and warn the inhabitants to
keep within their dwellings,' under penalty of being shot down in
the streets."
Crossing the river, the two parties strode into the yet " quiet and
unsuspecting village at both extremes, yelling in the most furious
manner, while those who made the proclamation in French, ordered
the people into their houses on pain of instant death.1"' The word
was out. The little vilage of Kaskaskia was in an uproar. All
tWas consternation, fear, and trembling.  Menw women, and chil."
dren ran for dcear life; and 1L Les lonty coZe.,dux,/ —les long couteaux/- the Long-Knives!-the Long Knives I rapidly arose upon
the theretofore quiet air of Kaskaskia, and the inhabitants precipitately betook themselves to their dwellings to escape the vensean'ce of the intruders. The victory was short and decisive. No
blood hbad been shed; and two -hours later, the inhabitants of the
viifage had all surrendered and delivered up their firearms.' All
consummated after the best style of a co-mamnderwlell adapted to
the occasionI and who kletw just how to carry out the plan of action to the best advantage,-a movement termned by the French
rouse de yguerre,-the policy of'ar; and,to render the movement
the more earnest and effectual in its character' the French Goverinor, M. Roeheblavej was taken prisoner in Ilis own chamber, and
the night was passed by the Yirginia soldiers in patroling the
streets with whoops and yells after the manner of the'Indians,
which gave the inhabitants great uneasiness, but was:all turned to
the best account by Col. Clark. The inhabitants were now fully
pursuaded that all they had previously heard concerning the Long1Knives was too true, Clark had even carried his planso far as to
prohibit intercourse with each other or his men; and for five days
they were thuls held in suspense within their cottages. His troops
now, (the fiftlh day) being removed to th-e outskirts of the village,
the inhaditants we:re privileged again to walk the streets; but soon
observing them conversigng with eacli othe, without giving any
cause therefor, or perminitt in a'ord to be said in self-defence,
"' Westein Annals," pages 268,' 26.




THE iKAKASKIANS CONFER WITHI CLARK.        99
Clark ordered several of the officers of the place to be put in irons.
Not that he wished to be cruel or despotic, but that his strategetic
plan might prove more effectual and certain in its operations; and
the wild, reckless, indifferent, dirty, ragged appearance and manner
of Clark and his men, gave the greater awe and force to his plan
of action.
At length, M. Gibault, the parish priest, accompanied by " five
or six elderly gentlemen," by permission, called upon Col. Clark.
All looking alike dirty, and but little different in their general appearance, the deputation were greatly at a loss to know with whom
to confer as commandant, and thus some moments elapsed before
they were able to speak. But, very submissively, the priest, after.
a short interval, began to make known their mission. He said " the
inhabitants expected to be separated, perhaps never to meet again,
and they begged through him, as a great favor from their conqueror,
to be permitted to assemble in the church, offer up their prayers to
God for their souls, and take leave of each other."
To this Clark, with an air of seeming carelessness, replied that "' the
Americans did not trouble themselves about the religion of others,
but left every man to worship God as he pleased;" and readily
granted the privilege desired, but charged them on no account to
attempt to leave the place; and no further conversation was permitted with the deputation.
The little church was soon open, and the people rapidly crowded
into it..As though the last opportunity they would have thus to
assemble, all mournfully chanted their prayers, and bid each other
adieu, little presuming that they would ever meet again in this
life; and so great did they esteem the privilege granted them, that,
at the close of the exercises, the priest and deputation repaired
again to the quarters of Clark, and, on behalf of the people of the
village, graciously thanked him for the indulgence granted them.
Begging leave to say a word regarding their separation and their
lives, they asserted that they knew nothing of the troubles between
Great Britain and the colonists; that all that they had done was in
subjection to the English commandants; and that while they were
willing to abide by the fate of war in the loss of their property,
they prayed that they might not be separated from their families;
and that " clothes and provisions might be allowed them, barely
sufficient for their present necessities."
The stratagem was now complete, Fear had lapsed into resignation; and the spirit of hope in the Kaskaskians had fallen below
the common ebb of even partial security. The achievement of
Clark's plan was complete, and, with an air of surprise, he
abruptly responded: " Do you mistake us for savages? I am almost certain that you do from your language! Do you think that
Americans intend to strip women and children, or take the bread
out of their mouths? " "' Mly countrymen," continued he, " disdain
to make war upon helpless innocence. It was to prevent the hor



100               HIISTOY OF FORT WAAYNE.
rors of Indian butchery upon our own wives and children that wv
have taken arms and penetrated into this remote stronghold of
British and Indian barbarity, and not the despicable prospect of
plunder. That now the King of France had united his powerful
arms with that of America, the war would not5 in all probability,
continue long; but the inhabitants of Kaskaskia were at liberty to
take which side they pleased, without the least danger to either
their property or families. Nor would their religion be any source
of disagreement, as all religions were regarded with equal respect
in the eye of the American law, and that any insult offered it would
be immediately punished. And now, to prove mIy sincerity, youl
*will please inform your fellow-citizens that they are quite at liberty
to conduct themselves as usual, without the least apprehension..am now convinced, from what I have learned since my arrival
among you, that you have been misinformed and prejudiced
against us by British officers; and your friends who are in confine,
nent shall immediately be released."
The utterances of Clark were soon conveyed to the people; and
from fear and apprehension all was changed to joy and praise. The
bells rang, and te cleums were sung. All the night long the villagers made merry. All the privileges they could have desired were
granted them, and Col. Clark was readily acknowledged "-the
commandant of the country."
Soon planning an expedition against Cahoia, in which the Kaskaskians themselves took part, that place was taken with but little
trouble and no bloodshed. Close upon the achievement of this
success, through the aid and firiendship of M. Gibault. the priest of
Kaskaskia, Vincennes was also soon captured, with but little effort, and the American flago displayed from the garrison. Capt.
Williams was now appointed commandant at aIaskaskia; CaptL
Bowman at Cahokia, and Capt. IHelm at Vincennes.* The French
a;t these points were now all fklst friends of the Americans, and rejoiced at the change that had been made from British to American rule; and Clark proceeded to re-organize the civil government
amowg them, appointin influential and prominent rtench residents to fill the officeas.
At this period a Pia.nkelaw chief, of g,-eat influence among his
tribe, known as the'" Big Gate," or " Big Door,' and called by the
Indians "TIhe Grand Door to the'Wabash" from the fact that, much
as with the famous Pontiac anld'the Delaware Prophet, farther to
the eastward, with whom the reader is already familiar, nothing
could be accomplished by the Indian confederation on the Wabash
-at that period, without his approbation. Receiving "a spirited
eoplimertfr.tm"'7  from  ather Gibault, (who was much liked by the
Indians,)'thr-onh his father, known as a Old Tobac," Big Door returned it, whiacih was soon followed with a 1' great talk " and a belt
pf wamlpum. Th er-ew  iadinas, under British influence, had previ1t'1i forpt at Y'ilennes was w ll!ei: Fort Patr.Ik.Henry, aft er its c vaptlue Iby  C1lok.




TnHE WABASHI ITDIANS DECLARE FOR THE LONG-KNIVES.  101
lusly done much " mischief to the fiontier settlements." Capt. Helm
now soon sent a "talk" and wampum   to the "Big Door." The
chief was very much elated, and sent a message to Helm, stating
that he was glad to see one of the Big Knife chiefs in town; that
here he joined the English against the Big Knives, but he long
thought they'looked a little gloomy;" that he must consult his
counselors; take time to deliberate, as was the Indian custom; and
hoped the Captain of the Big Knives would be patient. After several days, Old Tobac invited Captain Helm to a council; and it is
said Tobac played quite a subordinate to his son (Big Door) in the
proceedings thereof.'
After some display of eloquence in reference to the sky having
been dark, and the clouds now having been brushed away, the
Grand Door announced" that his ideas were much changed; and
that "the Big Knives was in the right;" " that he would tell all the
red people on the Wabash to bloody the hand no more for the
English;" and jumping up, striking his breast, said he was " a man
and a -warrior; "  that he was now a Big Knife," and shook the
hand of Capt. Helm, his example being followed by all present; andl
soon all the tribes along the Wabash, as high as Ouiatenon, came
flocking to Vincennes to w       to welc he Big Knives.  The interests
of the British are now said to have lost ground in all the villages
south of Lake M/ichigan.
A few months later, and the jurisdiction of Virginia was extended over the settlements of the Wabash and. the Upper Mississippi, through the organization of the "County of Illinois," over
which Col. John Todd had been made civil commander.
On the first of September, the time of enlistment of the troops
under Clark having expired, and seventy of his men already returnel home, to taike their pIaces, Clark at once organized a coumpany of the inhabitants of Kaskaskia and Cahokia, commanded by
their own officers, and soon started a formidable and rapid movement against the Indians, with whom he made no treaties or gave
any quarters. His idea and spirit vwas to reduce them to terms,
wyithout any parley; and soon the name of Clark became a tprror
among the tribes of the northwest. Before the close of December,
(1778) these hostilities had nearly ceased, and everything wore a
frienJdly air among the French settlers.
The news of Clark's success havindg at length reached Detroit, by
way of this point, IIamilton,t the British Governor, at once determined to recapture the posts again, and accordingly with eighty reg"' W<estern Annals," pages 173, 174.
trhe following passport, issued by Governor lHa!nilton, at Detloit, will convey a
lively senlse of the condition of affairs, and spirit of the northwest at this early porli'd:
< By Henry Hamilton, Esq,, Lieut. Goyernor and Superintendent of Detroi.t and Dependencies, e ce., &c. " Detroit St., No. 254. It is permitted to John Bte. Dubois and
Amable Delisle, employed by Mr. Macleod, to depart from this post and go to St.
Vineennes;-they havinig been posted, taken the -usual oath, and tlat of fidelity, ano
given bondin the penalty of Tio hundred and Fifty Pounds, New York currency, by
whlich they bind thelmselves tlhat they Will not sell rurm, wine, cider, or other strong




102                  HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
ulars, a large number of Canadian militia, and six hundred Indians,
he ascended the Maumee, to this point, crossed overto the Wabash,
and made a rapid movement upon Vincennes, thinking to take the
fort by storm, and destroy all within the garrison. Thus they moved
forward. Helm was not to be dismayed. Full of confidence, and
with an air that served to signify that the fort was full of soldiers,
he leaped upon the bastion, near a cannon, and, swinging         his
lighted match, shouted with great force, as the advancing column
approached, " Halt! or I will blow you to atoms!     At which the
Indians precipitately took to the'woods, and the Canadians fell
back out of range of the cannon.    Fearing that the fort was well
manned, and that a desperate encounter would ensue, Hamilton
thought best to offer a parley.  Capt. Helm declaring that he would
fight as long as a man was left to bear arms, unless permitted to
march out with the full honors of war, which were at length agreed
upon, and the garrison thrown open, Helm and five men, all told,
marching out, to the utmost astonishment of the British commander.
But Helm was afterwards detained in the fort as a prisoner.
The season now being late and unfavorable, Hamilton determined to take no further steps toward a capture of the other posts till
spring.  But in the meantime Clark, towards the last of January,
1779, received word as to the loss of Vincennes, and on the seventh
of February, with one hundred and thirty men, he took up his line
of march through the forest for Vincennes, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, ordering Captain Rogers, with forty men, on
board a large keel-boat, with two four-pounders and four swivels,
to ascend the Wabash within a few miles of the mouth of White
River-there to await further orders.*       The march through the
wilderness was one of peril and hardship-the river bottoms were
inundated; and, as they moved through these lowlands, the soldiers were often, while having to feel for the trail with their feet,
compelled to hold their guns and amunition above' their heads.
Their food on the march was parched corn and jerked beef. At
liquors to thb Indians, directly or indirectly, nor allow the same to be done by any one
in their employ; that they will demean themselves as good and faithful subjects; that
they will exhibit their passport, on arriving at the Miamis (this point) and at the
Weas, (Oulatenon, below Lafayette) lo those who are invested with authority; and
they bind themselves, under the pains of severe punishment, not to aid, assist, or correspond with the enemies of his Majesty; and also that they will give information, as
soon as possible, to the governors or officers commanding the nearest forts or posts, of
those who violate any of the provisions above mentioned. And if any one should escape fiom any of the posts dependent to this Government, they shall immediately give
notice thereof to the Lieut. Governor.
Given at Detroit, under my hand and seal, House of the King, the 17th of'June,
1778. HENRY HAMILTON, L. s. By order of the Lieut. Governor, P. DEJEAN."
*Col. Clark seems to have had his attention long fixed upon this point, but was
doubtless governed by a fair sense of wisdom in all his movements. In a letter to one
Major Boseron, of Vincennes, bearing date, " Louisville, Feb. 28, 1780," Clark said:
" I learn that there is a report of a number of savages collected at Omi (the Miami
village at this point) with an intention to disturb the settlement of St. Vincents. I
hope it is groundless; if not, I could only wish that they would keep off for a few
weeks, and I think they would be more sensible of th e'r interest."




LA BALME'LS EXPEDITION.               103
length, after some clelay,' on the evening of the 23d of February,
arriving upon an eminence within sight of the fort, Clark ordered
his men on0 parade, near the summit of tlhe hill, overlooki.g the
fort, keeping them marching for some time, in a manner that seemed to the English commander as if there was a large army approaching-at least a thousand men, he thought, with colors plainly visible. During the, night a deep ditch was dug to within rifleshot of the fort, and before day-break, a number of men were stationed therein  to pick off the garrison."  It was a success eyery
gunner attempting to show his head along the cannon of the fort,
or peer through a loop-hole was shot; and on the 25th of February
the fort was surrendered, and Hamilton, Major Hay, and a few
others, as instigators in the incitement of Indian murders on the
frontiers, accompanied by a strong guard, were sent to Virginia'to
answer for the crimes charged upon them, and where they were
put in irons and held for a time in close confinement in retaliation
for the massacres that had occurred; but were finally released at
the suggestion of General Washington.
This achievement on the part of Clark and his brave comrades,
left them, with no further attempts of the English to regain
the lost forts, on tle Wabash and Upper Mississippi,-in possession of all the lower portion of the West until t.he close of the Revolution, when, at the treaty of peace with the English in 1783, on
the basis of its having been conquered and held by Col. Clark,
Great Britain conceded that all of this extended region of territory
belonged to the United States.
In the fall of the year (1780) following this signal success of
Clarlk at Vincennes, a Frenchman, by the name of La Bailme* formed a plan at Kaskaskia for the capture of Ke-lSi-ong-a, (this point)
then held by the British.
"This village," says the account,t`' was situated on the banks
of the St. Joseph river, commencing about a quarter of a mile
above its confluence with the St. Mary, which forms the Miami,
(Maumnee) and was near the present city of Fort WaVyne. It had
been a principal town of the Miami Indians for at least sixty years
before the Revolution, and had been occupied by the French before the fall of Canada, who had erected a fort at the confluence of
the rivers, on the eastern side ot the St,-Joseph. At the period of
the Revolution," continues the account, "it had become a place of
muclh importance, in a trading and military point of view, and as
such, ranked, in the north-west, next to Detroit and Vincennes. It
was, accordirgly, occupied as a post or seat of an official for Indian af'iirs, by the British in the beginning of the war. Col. Clark,
on the captu.ro of Vincennes, had meditated an expedition against
this place, as well as against Detroit; and tholugh he seems never
*:Pronounced by th-e French settlers of the time La Bal.'-By Charles B. iLasselle, Esq.. formerly a resident of FcrtWayne, but now residing
at Logansport, Ind., first publishled in the " Demoeratic Pharos," of Logansport, 185i




104       -       HIIISTORY OF FORT WAVNE.
to have abandoned the idea, yet he could not succeed in his arrangements to attempt its execution. But while the subject was
still fresh in the mind of Clark and the inhabitants of the Lower
Wabash, another individual made his appearance to undertake
what even the daring Clark, with greater resources, did not deem
prudent to venture upon. This was LA BALME. But of him and
his expedition, it may be here stated, very little information of an
entirely authentic shape, is within our reach. Excepting about a
dozen lines in Mlr. Dillon's I-istorical Notes, no publishled account
whatever of this expedition has ever appeared. Whatever may
be given in this brief sketch, has been obtained mostly fromn some
of those who were in part eye-witnesses to the events, and from tradition as handed down by the old inhabitants. La Balme was a native of France, and had come to this country as some kind of an
officer, with the French troops, under LaFayette, in 1779. We are
not apprised whether he came to the west on his own responsibility,
or whoether he was directed by some authority; but we find him, in
the summer of 1780, in Kaskaskia, raising volunteers to form  an
expedition against the post of Ke-ki-ong-a, with the ulterior view,
in case of success, of extending his operations against the fort and
towns of Detroit. At Kaskaskia he succeeded in obtaining only
between twenty and thirty men. With these he proceeded to Vinh
cennes, where he opened a recruiting establishment fo  tile purpose of raising the number necessary for his object.* But he does
not seem to have met here with the favor and encouragetment of
the principal inhabitants, or to have had much success ih his en,
listmlent. His expedition was looked upon as one of doubtfil propriety, both as to its means and objects, and it met with the encouraecment, generally, of only the less considerate. Indeed, from
the fraogment of an old song,t as sung at the time by the maidens
of Vincennes on the subject of La Balme and his expedition, preserved by the writer, it would seem that plunder and fame were as
much its objects, as that of conquest for the general good, Injustice mlay have been done him, in this respect; but it is quite cerl
tain, fiom all accounts, that though a generous and gallant ina,l
well calculated to be of service in his proper sphere, yet he was too
reckless and inconsiderate to lead such an expedition. How long
he remained at Vincennes, we have not now, perhaps, any means
of knowing'. But sometime in the fall of that year-1780-with, as
is supposed, between fifty and sixty men, he proceeded up the Wabashl on his adventure.
"He conducted his march with such caution and celerity, that
-This est;ablishmnent, says 5Mr. Lasselle, in a note, was situate on lot No. 106,. near
he corner of Market and Third. streets, in what had been called the "Old Yellow
Tavern."
T'The following is the beginning of the song referred to, as "sung by the inhabitants
of Vincennes, July, 1778," in the langudage of Mr. Lasselle, "when the priest, M.
Gib.ult., won theIi to the American side:"
" Notre bon cure, plun brave que Devaux,
A Ipis Notre village sans tambour drapeau."




FAT1 OF LA BALAME ANIT H-IS FOLLOWERS.         105
he appeared at the village (here) before even the watchful inhabitants had apprehended his approach. The sudden appearance of;foe, unknown as to character, numbers, and designs, threw  them
into the greatest alarm, and they' fled on all sides. La Balme took
possession of the place without resistence. It was, probably, his
intention, in imitation of Clark's capture of Kaskaskia, to take the
village and its inhabitants by surprise, and then by acts and professions of kindness and friendship, to win them over to the American cause; but the inhabitants, including some six or eight French
traders, totally eluded his grasp. I-Is occupation of the villagp
was not of long duration. After remaining a short time, and ma,
king plunder of the goods of somne of the French traders and Inl
dians, he retired to near the Aboite Creek* and encamped. The
Indians having soon ascertained the number and character of La
Balme's forces, and learning that they were Frenchmen, were not
disposed at first to avenge the attack. But of the traders living
there, (here), there were two, named Beaubient and La Fontaine,^
who, nettled and injured by the invasion and plunder of the place,
were not disposed to let the invaders off without a blow. These
myen having incited the Indians to follow and attack La Balme,
they soon rallied their warriors of the village and vicinity under
the lead of their war chief; the Little Turtle, and falling upon them
in the night time, massacred the entire party. Not one is said to
have survived to relate the sad story of the expedition.
" Such," says Mr. Lasseile, " is a brief and imperfect account of
La Balme's expedition, of which so little is known. It may," continues he, "not have been impelled by the most patriotic motives,
nor guided by wise counsels, nor attended with results especially
beneficial to the country; yet, as an interesting event, connected
with the early history of the country, it should be rescued from the
oblivion which rests upon it."ll
*About the point where tlhe Wabashl and Erie Canal crosses this stream.
tSays a note to this account: "Beaubien married the chiefess, widow of Josepht
Dronuet de Riclhardville, and-mother of the late chief of the nation, John B. Richar4ville,".tFather of the late M.iami chief, La Fontaine.
lA short account of La Balme's expedition may also be found in'"^nnals of the
West," pages 318, 319.




CHAPTER X.
1 ike the dim traditions, hoary,
Of our loved and native clime;
Like some half-forgotten story,
Read or heard in olden'time." —-LmvIs J. CisT.
— 0 —O
E migration westward-Organization of a territorial government-Settlements at Cin
cinnati (Losantiville) and North Bend-Emigrant boats-Movements from Fort
Washington to this point-Spanish and Indians-Dissolution-SuLggestions of
General Washington-His letter to Richard Henry Lee-The import;ance of the
Mamni village-Treaties and cessions-Congress and Indian lands-Indian basis
of complaint-Council of 1793-Indian speech-Further troubles-What the Indians thought would be the result-Miamies, under Little Turtle, lead a confederacy-Depredations-Report of Gen. Knox-The Wabash Indians-Letter cf
Gov. St. Clair —The President of the U. S. empowered to call forth the militia of
the States-Washington's instructions to Gov. St. Clair-Gov. St. Clair proceeds
to the Illinois-Losantiville changed to Cincinnati-Speeches to the Wabash Indians-Antoine (Gamelin delivers the messages-Reaches this point —-Gamelin's
journal-The man-eating society at this point —Gen. Cass' address, &c. —St.
Clair's return-Movement against the Indians-British commandant at Detroit
notified —British aid to the Indians-Militia arrive at Cincinnati-Organization
of the army under Gen Harmar, and movement upon the Miami village here —
The army reach the village and find it deserted —Disorder of the troops —A detachment —Return of the scouts —An order-Another scout-Fires of the Indians
discovered —Indians discovered-Detachment moves forward —Indians concealed
-An attack-Detachment put to flight-Village destroyed —Harmar moves down
the Maumee-Issues more orders-Starts for Fort Washington-Encampment —
Col. Hardin desires to return to the village —His desire granted —Indians discovered-Some disorder-An attack —An account of one of the wounded-Indians
again victorious-Retreat-Army starts again for Fort Washington, where it arrives in safety-Names of the killed-Expedition of Major Hamtramck-Another
dreary winter.
UT A FEW       YEARS had elapsed, after the struggle for Independence, when a tide of emigration began to set in to the
oTfowestward again, and a territorial government, with a small
settlement, was established at Campus         Martius, now    Miarietta, Ohio, in July, 1788.    The officers of the government were
General Arthur St. Clair, Governor; Winthrop Sargent, Secretary;
and three judges for the executive council.        Campus Martius was
of square form, one hundred and eighty feet each way.              Small
steeples extended from     the top of each block house, which were
blullet-proof, and served as sentry-boxes; while the square was encompassed by a strong palisade, some ten feet in height, and the




EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN THE NORTHWEST.        107
buildings, all within the enclosure, were constructed of whip-sawed
timber, about four inches thick, dove-tailed at the corners, and covered with shingle roofs, each room of which had fire-places and
brick chimneys. The towers and bastions were bright with whitewash,
For the most part, the settlers of the Northwestern Territory
were mein who had spent a large part of their lives, as well as
fortunes, in the Revolutionary War. Such was the character of a
party of emigrants, upder the leadership of General Rufus Putnam,
who left New England in 1787, and, descending the Ohio, to a
point below Marietta, began the settlement of Belpre, bringing
thither with them, and establishing there, many of the primitive habits and customs of their ancestors. First erecting substantial buildings for their families, they set about the erection
and organization of a church and school, toward which all are said
to have contributed " with a right good will;" and these were the
first institutions of the kind established in the Northwestern Territory.
Two years later, il 1789, the first settlement was formed at or
near the present site of Cincinnati, Ohio, by some twenty persons,
under the lead of Israel Ludlow and Robert Patterson, and then
called Losantiville. The original appearance of the present Cincinnati, as at the time of its first settlement, is described as " a
beautiful woodland bottom, on the bank of the river, sixty feet
above low-water mark, and extending back three hundred yards to
the base of a second bank, which rose forty feet higher, and then
sloped gently more than a half mile to the foot of the bluff; the
bottom being covered with a heavy growth of sycamore, maple,
and black-walrut; the second with beech, oak, and hickory timber." In January of this year, another party moved down the
Ohio, and began a settlement at North Bend. The craft or boats
in which these early settlers descended the river, to the present
generation, would indeed seem novel. They usually consisted of a
frame-work of logs, covered with green oak planks, and caulked
with rags. Snugly ensconsed in these, men, women, and children
floated down the rivers to their detination, unexposed to the attacks of the Indians, who often fired upon them from the river
banks.
For some years, a spirit of rivalry existed between the settlements of Cincinnati (Losantiville) and North Bend as to the best
point for the establishment of a military post, and for a time North
Bend, from its natural security against the attacks of the Indians,
seemed destined to become the most advantageous and permanent
point, and many emigrants came flocking thitherward. But at length,
the commanding officer becoming enamored with a beautiful woman at the Bend, the wife of one of the settlers, the husband became alarmed or jealous, andc removed to Losantiville,*- so runs
*A school-teacher, by the name of Filson, being called on to name the settlement




108                  HIST'ORY OF FoTr VWVAYN1E.
the record; and North Bend at once beganl to decline in the appreciation of the commanding officer, as the most available military
point for the protection of the northwest territory, and the troops
were soon removed to Losantiville, which post was called Fort
Washington.     It was from   this point that the first movement, under Gen. Harmar, who was then commandant at Fort Washington,
was made against the Indians at the present site of Fort Wayne,
under the administration of Gen. Washington, in October, 1790.
It was also from   these points, which, at an early peried here, were
known as " the     settlements," that came most of the earlier sojourners and settlers of Fort Wayne; then still known as the Miami
village or Omi;* not only Harmar's, but the subsequent expedil
tions of Gens. St. Clair and Wayne, started ifom Fort Washington
for this point.
During 1780, 1781, to 1785-6, difficulties had arisen between the
colonial government and the Spanish on the Lower Mississippi, as
to the navigation of that river, and the possession of a large part
of the western territory, together with much trouble with the Indians of the west, more especially along the Ohio, which continued
to give the settlements great trouble for some time subsequent, and
also greatly to disturb the internal relations of the country     generally.  In addition to, and effects arising mainly from, these causes,
Kentucky, at an early day during the foregoing period, began and
continued for some years to manifest, with other parts of the southwest, considerable dissatisfaction.   The government had permitted
thie Spaniards of the south to control the navigation of the Mississippi; many privations had come upon the people of the wesu in
consequence, and a spirit of distrust had gradually given rise to a
spirit of dissolution,t especially in Kentucky, which, at that period,
and for some years later, yet formed a part of Virginia.      Washinghere begun, called it "Losantiville," the interpretation of which ran as follows:
Ville, the town; Cati, opposite to; os, the mouth; L, of Licking river; which, at thie
time, was considered, we believe, a pretty line effort on the part of MIr. Filson.
a" A corrupt ortlhoraphy and abridgement of the French term Au, or Aux Miamis 
as Au Cas is a corruption of Au Kasasslkias, to Kaskaskia." —-History of Kentucky.
tA person, thlourht to have been a man by the name of Green, of Louisville, Kentuckv, writilng to some person in New EIngland, under date of December 4, 17HL,
said':  Our isituation is as bad as it possibly can be, therefore every exertion to retrieve our circurstances must be manly, eligible and just. We can raise twenty thousand troops this side of the Allegheny and Apalachian Mountains, and the annual increase of them by e migration from olther parts, is from two to four thousand.
"We have taken all. the goods belonging to the Spanish merchants of Post Vincennes and the Illinois, and are determined they shall not trade up the river, protided
they will not let us tra:de down it. Preparations are now being made here (if necessary)
to drive the Spaniards fiom their settlements, at the mouth of the Mississippi. In case
we are not countenaneed and succored by the United States, (if we need it) our allegiance will be thrown off, and some other power applied to.
"( G-eat Britain stands ready with open arms to receive and support us. They have
already offered to open their resources for our supplies. When once re-united to them,' farewell, a long farewell to all your boasted greatness.' The province of Canada and.
the inhabitants. of these waters, of themselves, in. time, will be able to,conquer you.
You are as ignorant of this country as Great Btiitain was of America. These are hints,
lvhich, if rightly improved, may be of service; if not, blamel yourselves for the neglect."




SUGGESTIONS OF GEN. WASIINGTON.            109
ton hadc felt the pressures and soon presented important suggesi
tionss as he had done before the     revolution, relative to the
organization  of commercial and navigation companies, as the
best lneans of protecting and cementing the interests of the East
and'West.
In a letter to Governor HFarrison in this year, (1'784) he strenuously urged the importance of binding together all parts of the Union,
and especially the West and East, with the indissoluble bonds of
interest, with a view to prevent the formation of commercial, atd,
in consequence, political connections with either the iSpan.Ziards' on
the ISo'utl, or'',the EfqgliSsh on the'North; and t lecolmmended the
speedy survey of the Potomac and James rivers; Of the portage to
the waters of the Ohio; of the Muskingum; and the portage from
that river to the Cuyahoga; for the purpose of opening a water
communication for the commerde of the )hio and the lakes, to the
seaboard, and denominated it as an object of great political and
conmmercial importance.
To Richard Henry Lee, in the same year, Washington wrote 
"' Would it not be worthy of the Wvisdonm and attention of Congress
to have the western waters well explored, the navigation of them
fully ascertained and accurately laid down, and a complete alnd
perfect map made of the country, at least as far westerly as the
Miamis, running into the Ohio, and Lake Erie, and to see how the
waters of these comniunicate with the river St. Joseph, which empties into Lake MIic-higan, and with the Wabash? f/or 1 cannzot forbear observi.lq thact tMe M2iami village- points to a very imjport<ant
post/or tfhe unTJion?."
The Indian, though usually called a savage, and doubtless, as a
general rule in earlier days, properly so, yet possessed, with all, a
singular intelligence. From the first dealings of the colonists of
Virginia with the famnous Powhattans; the Pilgrims, at Plymouth;
with Massasoit and his son Metacomet, (King Phillip) of the'Wampanoags, about Mount HIope, to the later settlements of the West
and the various tribes of the southwest, they ever exhibited a
peculiar knowledge of etiquette, and seldom forgot this sense of
regard even for their enemies or the most presumptive intruders,
where the chiefs and sachems could exercise a voice.
It was not a custom with the French, at any time at any of the
points of their settlements in the'West, to make large purchases of
lands from the Indians; small tracts about their settlements invariably served to supply their wants; and at the treaty of Paris, in
1763, these small grants, about the forts of Detroit, Vincennes,
IKaskaskia, Cahokia, &c., were all that they ceded to the English.
*At this point. I have italicised this part of Washington's letter to call attention to
the importance then attached to the present site of 4'ort Wayne. Had dissolution been
attempted at any time during the above period, and the British called to the aid of
the West, this would have been an adnirable base for the operations of the colonial
army, once having fortified themselves and prepared for a sig'e —a ifat which Wauhington seemls most fully to thave been aware of.




110                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
Following close upon this treaty came the war and the defeat of
Pontiac; and in 1768, a grant by the Iroquois or Six Nations, at
Fort Stanwix, or the land south of the Ohio, which grant was not
respected by those hunting on the grounds thus conveyed. Dunmore's War, of 1774, was concluded without any transfer of lands
to the whites; and, at the close of the revolution, in 1783, when
Great Britain transferred her western claims to the United States,
she conveyed nothing but what she had previously received from
France, excepting the guarantee of the Six Nations and the southern tribes to a part of the land south of the Ohio; while none of the
territory claimed by the Miamies, western Delawares, Shawahoes,
Wyandotts or Hurons, and some other tribes still to the west and
north, was ceded to the United States by this treaty.
But a different view was taken of the matter by Congress at this
period; and concluding that the treaty guaranteed to the United
States the full right to all territory then transferred, and, at the same
time, considering the right of the Indians to the territory as forfeit-'ed by acts of warfare against the colonial government during the
struggle for Independence, made no movement towards a purchase
-of the lands from the Indians, but began to form treaties of peace
with them, and to suggest its own boundary lines.
It was in this way, in October, 1784, at the second treaty of!Stanwix, that the United States obtained the right possessed by the
Iroquois to the western territory, north and south of. the Ohio; and
though publicly and honorably concluded, its legality was yet'questioned by many of the Iroquois, the basis of their opposition
resting upon the fact that that treaty was with only a part of the
Indian tribes; and that it was the desire of the tribes that the United States Government should treat with them as a body, includiig
all the [ndians bordering upon the lakes of the north,
The provisions of October, 1783, had arranged for one great
council of all the tribes; but in the month of March following, 1784,
this provision was changed to that of holding councils with each
separate tribe or nation; and the commissioners appointed by the
Government to superintend these affairs, refusing to pay further
attention to the subject of a general council with the northern tribes,
in October, 1784, as against the wishes of Red Jacket, Brant, and
other chiefs, of the Iroquois, terminated the treaty of Fort Stanwix,
After which, in January, of the following year, (1785), a treaty
was concluded with the Wyandotts, Delawares, Chipewas, and Ottawas; but the legality of the former treaty seems not then to have
been questioned, by the Wyandotts and Delawares, at least; and
yet it was asserted at a general council of some sixteen tribes of
northwestern Indians, in 1793, that the treaties of Forts Stanwix,
McIntosh, and Finney, (the latter at the mouth of the Great Miami,) were the result of intimidation, and held only with single
tribes, at which, they asserted that the Indians had been invited to




INDIAN TREATIES-CAUSES OF COMPLAINT.        111
fori treaties of peace, but, instead, forced to make cessions of
landl
In January, 1786, a third treaty was held by the United States9
at Fort Finney, with the Shawanoes; and the Wabash tribes being
invited to be present, would not go. In 1789, confirmatory of pre~
ceding treaties, the fburth and fifth treaties were held at Fort Harmar, one with the Six Nations; the other with the Wyandotts, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies, and Sacs; and it
seems, from speeches made at a subsequent council of the confederated tribes, more particularly of the lake, (1793) that they would
not accept those treaties as at all binding upon them. Said one of
the chiefs at this latter council:'"Brothers: We are in possession of the speeches and letters
which passed on that occasion, (council convened by Governor
Arthur St. Clair, iri 1788,) between those deputied by the confederate Indians, and Gov. St. Clair, the commissioner of the United
States. Thbse papers prove that your said commissioner, in the
beginningl of the year 1789, after having been informed by the
general council of the preceding fall that no bargain or sale of any
part of these lands would be considered as valid or binding, unless
agreed to by a general council, nevertheless persisted in collecting
together a few chiefs of two or three nations only, and with thedm
held a treaty for the- cession of an immense country; in which they
were no more interested, than as a branch of the general confederacy, and who were in no manner authorized to make any grant or
cession whatever.
"Brothers: How then was it possible for you to expect to enjoy
peace, and quietly to hold these lands, when your commissioner
was informed, long before he held the treaty of Fort Harmar, that
the consent of a general council was absolutely necessary for the
sale of any part of these lands to the United States."'
From these facts, in part, at least, it will be seen why the expeditions of 1790-'91, and 1793-'4, with the efforts of 1811-'12 and
13, met with such stubborn and relentless resistence from the Miamies and other tribes) as detailed in subsequent pages. The impression that they would, without remuneration or mercy be despoiled of their lands and at length driven away, seems to have
gained possession of the tribes generally of the northwest before
and during the early campaigns of liarmar, St. Clair, and Wayne 
and the Miamies, —thoughA as it would seem from Gamelin's journal, a strong spirit of unity did not prevail among the different
tribes, before and during 1780, —led the way uider the lead of LitA
tie Turtle, with formidable effect.
With a feeling of bitterness and revenge towards the United
States, small bands of Indians had begun, in the spring of 1789 to
attack the settlements along the western borders of Virginia and
Kentucky.
"' Western A1nnals," pagcs 522, 523, 594.




112                 HISTORY OF FOIT WAYNE.
The Secretary of War of the period, General Knox.3 in a report
to the President, 15th of June, 1789, presented this subject as
follows:
"By information from Brigd'r-General Harmar, the commanding
officer of the troops on the frontier, it appears that several murders
have been lately committed on the inhabitants, by small parties of
Indians, probably from the Wabash country. Some of the said
murders having been perpetrated on the south side of the Ohio,
the inhabitants on the waters of that river are exceedingly alarmed, for the extent of six or seven hundred miles along the same.
It is to be observed that the United States have not formed any
treaties with the Wabash Indians; on the contrary, since the conclusion of the war with Great Britain, hostilities have almost constantly existed between the people of Kentucky and the said Indians. The injuries and murders have been so reciprocal that it
would be a point of critical investigation to know on which side
they have been the greatest. Some of the inhabitants of Kentucky
during the past year, roused by recent injuries, made an incursion
into the Wabash country, and possessing an equal aversion to all
bearing the the name of Indians, they destroyed a number ofpeaceable Piankeshaws* who prided themselves in their attachment to
the United States. Things being thus circumstanced, it is greatly
to be apprehended that hostilities may be so far extended as to involve the Indian tribes with whom the United States have recently
made treaties. It is well known how strong the passion for war exists
in the mind of a young savage, and how easily it may be inflamedc
so as to disregard every precept of the older and wiser part of the
tribes who may have a more just opinion of the force of a treaty.
Hence, it results that unless some decisive measures are immediately adopted to terminate those mutual hostilities, they will probably become general among all the Indians northwest of the Ohio.
" In examining the question how the disturbances on the frontiers are to be quieted, two modes present themselves by which the
object might perhaps be effected —the first of which is by raising
an arrmy and extirpating the refractory tribes entirely; or, secondly,
by forming treaties of peace with them in which their:ights and
limits should be explicitly defined, and the treaties observed on
the part of the United States with the most rigid justice, by punishing the whites who should violate the same.
"In considering the first mode, an inquiry would arise, whethe4r,?under the existing circumstances ol affairs, the United States have
a clear, right, consistently with the principles of justice and the
laws of natur"e, to poceed to the destruction or expulsion of the
savages on the WVabash, stpposing te ore fore that okbject easily
attainable. It is presumable that a nation solicitous of establishing its character on the broad basis(oi justice, would not only hesiTlThe same, doubtless, under the lead of the " Grand Door," who gave so hearty a
-welcome to Capt. Helmn, at Vincennes, afte the capture of that pcst by Col, Clarlk.




TEPOEIT OF SECRETARY U1NOX.            113
tate at but reject every proposition to benefit itself by the injury
of any neighboring community, however contemptible and weak
it may be) either with respect to its manners or power. When it
shall be considered that the Indians derive their subsistence chiefly
by hunting, and that, according to fixed principles, their population is in proportion to the facility with which they procure their
food, it would most probably be found that the expulsion or
destruction of the Indian tribes have nearly the same effect; for if
they 9te removed frim their usual hunting-grounds, tliey must
necessrily encroach on the hunting-grounds: of another tribe, who
will not suffer the encroachment with impunity-hence they destroy each other. The Indians, being the prior occupants, possess
the right of the soil. It can not be taken from them unless by their
free consent, or by the right of conquest in case of a just war. To
dispossess them on any other principle, would be a gross violation
of the fundamental laws of nature, and of that distributive justice
which is the glory of a nation. But if it should be decided, on an
abstract view of the question, to be just to remove by force the
Wabash Indians from the territory they occupy, the finances of the
United States would not at present admit of the operation.
"By the best and latest information, it appears that on the Wabash and its communications, there are from fifteen hundred to two
thousand warriors. An expedition against them, with a view of'extirpating them, or destroying their towns, could not be undertaken, with a probability of success, with less than an army of two
thousand five hundred men. The regular troops of the United States
on the frontiers are less than six hundred:* of that number not
more than four hundred could be collected from the posts for the
purpose of the expedition. To raise, pay, feed, arm, and equip one
thousand nine hundred additional men, with the necessary officers,
for six months) and to provide every thing in the hospital and quartermaster's line, would require the sum of two hundred thousand
dollars, a sum far exceeding the ability of the United States to advance, consistently with a due regard to other indispensable objects.1"
On the 26th of August, 1789, about two hundred mounted volb
unteers, under the command of Colonel John Ilardin, marched
from the Falls of the Ohio to attack some of the Indian towns on
the Wabash. This expedition returned to the Falls on the 28th of
September, without the loss of a man-having killed six Indians,
plundered and burnt one deserted village, and destroyed a considerable quantity of corn. t
In a letter, addressed to President Washington, bearing' date
" September, 14, 1789," Governor St. Clair said:
"The constant' hostilities between the Indians who live upon
the river Wabash and the people of Kentucky, must necessarily be
attended with such embarrassing circumstances to the government
*Detachments of regular troops were stationed at Fort Pitt, Fort Harmar, Fort Washington, Fort Steuben, (at the Falls of the Ohio,) and at Post Villenlnes.-His, Ind.
tDillon.                    (8)




114                I-STOPY O1 FORT WAYTXV.
of the northwestern territory, that I am ind-.aced to request votn will
be pleased to take the matter into consideration, and:give me the
orders'you may think proper. It is not to be expected, sir, that
the Kentucky people will or can submit patiently to the cruelties
and depredations of those savages, They are in the habit ofretaliation, perhaps without attending precisely to the nations from
~lwhich the injuries are received. They will continue to retaliate or
they will apply to the governor of the northwestern territory
(thrdugh which the Indiana must pass to atta ck them) for redress.
If he can not redress them, (and ii the present circumstances he
cannot,) they also will march through that country to redress themselves, and the government will be laid prostrate. The United
State, on the other hand, are at peace with several of the nations,
and should the resentment of these people [the Kentuclckians] fall
upon any of them, which it is likely enough to happen, very bad
consequences may follow. For it must appear to them [the Indians]
that the United States either pay no regard to their treaties, or that
they are unable oi unwilling to carry their engagement into effect.,*  *  * They will nnite with the hostile nations, prudently pre-'erring open war to a delusive and uncertain peace."
Being empowered, by an act of Congress of the 29th of Septemher, 1789, to call out the militia of the several States for the protection of the frontier settlements, President Washington, on the
6th ofi Oct., 1789, addressed Governor St. Clair officially as follows:
"It is highly necessary that I should, as soon as possible, possess
full information whether the Wabash and Illinois Indians are most
nclin ed for war or peace. If for the former, it is proper that I
should be informed of the means which will most probably induce
them to peace. If a peace can be established with the said Indians
on reasonable terms, the interests of the United States dictate, that
it should be effected as soon as-possible, You will, therefore, inform the said Indians of the disposition of the general government
on this subject, and of their reasonable desire that there should be
a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to a treaty.
"If, however, notwithstanding,your intimat.ions to tlem, they
should continue their hostilities, or meditate any incursion against
the frontiers of Virginia and Pennsylvania, or against any of the
troops or posts of the United States, and it should appear to you
that the time of execution would be so near as to forbid your transiitting the information to me, and receiving my orders thereon:
then you are hereby authorized and empowvered, in my name, to
call on the lieutenants of the nearest counties of Virginia and Pennsylvania for such detachments of militia as you may judge proper,
not exceeding, however, one thousand from-Virginia and five hundred from Pennsylvanla. *   *: The said militia to act in conjunction with the Federal troops in such operations, offensive or
defensive, as you and the commanding officer of the troops, conjointly, shaall judge neceesary for Ithe public service, and tfhe pro



WASitGxTroX^S I; sTrCucrIONS to Gov. Sr, CLARm.  115
tectlon of the inhabitants and the posts. The said militia, while in
actual service, to be on the continental establishment of pay and
rations; they are to arm and equip themselves, but to be furnished
With public ammunition if necessary; and no charge for the pay of
said militia will be valid unless supported by regular musters made
by a field or other officer of the Federal troops.
" I would have it observed, forcibly, that a war with the Wabash
Indians ought to be avoided by all means consistently with the security of the troops and the national dignity. In the exercise of the
present indiscriminate hostilities, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say that a war without further measures would be just
on the part of the United States. But if, after maniesting clearly
to the Indians the disposition of the general government for the
preservation of peace and the extension of a just protection to the
said Indians, they should continue their incursions, the United States
Will be constrained to punish them with severity.
" You will also proceed, as soon as you can, with safety, to execute the orders of the late Congress, respecting the inhabitants at
Post Vincennes, and at the Kaskaskias, and the other villages on
the Mississippi. It is a circumstance of some importance, that the
said inhabitants should, as soon as possible, possess the lands to
Which they are entitled, by some known and fixed principles."
The last paragraph of the foregoing instructions was based upon
the resolutions of Congress, of the 20th June and 29th August,
1788.*' By these resolutions, provisions were made for confirming
in their possessions and titles the French and Canadian inhabitants,
and other settlers, about Kaskaskia and post Vincennes, who, on or
before the year 1783, had professed themselves citizens of the
United States, or any of them. By the same resolutions, a tract of
four hundred acres of land was donated to each head of a family of
this description of settlers.fAbout the 1st of January, 1.790, Governor St. Clair, with. the
judges of the supreme court of the territory, descended the river
Ohio, from Marietta to Fort Washington, at Losantiville. At this
place the governor laid out the country of Hamilton, appointed
magistrates and other civil officers for the administration of justice
in that county, and induced. the proprietors of the little village to
change its name from Losantiville to Cincinnati, On the 8th of
January, 1790, St, Clair and Winthrop Sargent, secretary of the
territory, arrived at Clarksville, whence they proceeded to the Illinois country, to organize the goverlnment in that quarter, and to
carry into effect the resolutions of Congress relative to the lands
and settlers about Kasasksia and Post Vincennes. Before the
governor left Clarksville, however, he sent to Major Hamtramck,
the commanding officer at Post Vincennes, dispatches contai ning
speeches which were addressed t{ the Indian tribes on the Walbash4.     V
^Old Jomll'nlat1  t, viot. 58';2-  \'4)i no, Sll>^lnl




116               ItsTORY OF FOiOT AWAYNE.
Having received the instructions of Gov. St, Clair, after the
necessary preparations, Major Hamtramck, then commanding at
Post Vincennes, on the 15th of April, despatched Antoine Gamelin from that point with the speeches of St. Clair to the tribes of
the Wabash. Reaching the Indian settlements-, Mr. Gamielin delivered the speeches at all the Villages bordering this stream, and.
came as far' eastward as the Miiami village, opposite the present
site of FoTt Wayne. The following is the journal of Gamelin, much
of which relates to his conference at the fMiami village here; and
will give the imaginative reader quite a fair view of the spirit of
the Miamies at this point at that period. Says the journal of Gam-l
elin:
"the first village I arrived to, is called Kikapouguoi. The name
of the chief of this village is called Les Jambes Croches. Him
and his tribe have a good heart, and accepted the speech.. The
second village is at the river du Vermillion, called Piankeshaws.
The first chief and all his warriors, were well pleased with the
speeches concerning the. peace: but they said they could not give
presently a proper answer, before they consult the Mianmi nation,
their eldest brethren. They desired me to proceed to the Miami
town, (Ke-ki-ong-gay,) and, by coming back, to let them know,
what reception I got from them. The said head chief told me that
he thought the nations of the lake had a bad heart, and were ill
disposed for the Americans: that the speeches would not be received, particularly by the Shawnees at Miamitown.:  The
llth of April, I reached a tribe of Kickapoos. The head chief and
all the warriors being assembled, I gave them two branches of
white wampum, with the speeches of his e-cellency Arthur St.
Clair, and those of Mlajor Ham tramck. It must be observed that
the speeches have been in another hand before me. The messenger could not proceed further than the Vermillion, on account of
some private wrangling between the interpreter and some chief
men of the tribe. lM'oreover, something' in the speech, displeased
theim very much, which is included in the third article, which says,'cldo ozo ma2ke you the offer of peace: accept it, or reject it, as
yozoplease.' These words appeared to displease all the tribes to
whom the first m1essenger was sent. They told me they were menacing; and finding that it might have a bad effect, I took upon mvself to exclude them.; and, after making some apology, they answered that he and his tribe were pleased with my speech, and that
I could go up without danger, but they could not presently give
rme an answer, having some warriors absent, and without consulting the Ouiatenons, being the owners of their lands. They desired
me to stop at QuitepiconnS, [Tippecanoe,] that they would have
the chiefs and warriors of' Ouiatenons and those of their nation
assembled there, and would receive a proper answer. They said
that they expected )by me a draught of milk from the great chief,
and the commandingn officer of the post, for to put the old people'~.'-_           ~..




GX'MELIN'S JOURNAL.                  117
in good aumor; also some powder and ball for the young men for
hunting, and to get some good broth for their women and children;
that I should know a bearer of speeches should never be with
empty hands. They promised me to keep their young men fron
stealing, and to send speeches to their nations in the prairies for to
do the same.
"The 14th April the Ouiatenons and the Kickapoos were assembled. After my speech, one of the head chiefs got up and told me'You, Gamelin, my friend and son-in-law, we are pleased to see
in our village, and to hear by your mouth, the good words of the
great chief. We thougoht to receive a few words from the French
people; but I see the contrary. None but the Big Knife is sending
speeches to us. You know that we can terminate nothing without
the consent of our, brethren the Miiamis. I invite you to proceed
tO their village, and to speak to them. There is one thing in your
speech I do not like: I will not tell of it: even was I drunk, I would
perceive it: but our elder brethren will certainly take notice of it in
your speech. You invite us to stop our young men. It is impossible to do it, being constantly encouraged by the British,' Another chief got up and said-' The Americans are very flattering in
their speeches; many times our nation went to their rendezvous. I
was once myself. Some of our chiefs died on the route; and we
always came back all naked: and you, Gamelin, you come with
speech, with empty hands.' Another chief got up and said to his
young men,'If we are poor, and dressed in deer skils, it is our
own fault. Our French traders are leaving? us and our villages,
because you plunder them every day; and it is time for us to have
another conduct,.'  Another chief got up and said-' Know ye that
the village of Ouiatenon is the sepulcher of all our ancestors. The
chief of America invites us to go to him if we are for peace. He
has not his leg broke, having been able to go as far as the Illinois.
He might come here himself; and we should be glad to see him
at our village. We confess that we accepted the ax, but it is by
the reproach we continually receive from the English and other nations,, which received the ax first, calling us women: at the present
time they invite our young men to war. As to the old people, they
are wishing for peace.' They could not give me an answer before
they receive advice from the Miamis, their elder brethren.
" The 1Sth April I arrived at the river a IAnguille, [Eel river.]
The chief of the villazage, and those of war were not present. I explained the speeches to some of the tribe. They said they weie
well pleased; but they could not give me an answer, their chief
men being absent. They desired me to stop at their village coming back; and they sent with me one of their men for to hear the
answer of their eldest brethren.
"The'23d April I arrived at the 2Miami town.it The next cay I'*The site of this village is on the north side of Eel river, six niles above the point
of the junction of this stream v ithl the Wabash.  tAt this point.




11s8- I T is'L           )O' oA OF OT  YA'E.
got the Miami nation, the Shawanees, and Delawares all assembled.
I gave to each nation two branches of wampum, and began the
speeches, before the French and English traders, being invited by
the chiefs to be present, having told them myself I would be glad
to have them present, having nothing to say against any body. After the speech, I showed them the treaty concluded at Muskingum,
[Fort Harmar,] between, his excellency, Governor St. Clair, and
sundry nations, which displeased them. I told them that the purpose of this present time was not to submit them to any condition,
but to offer them the peace, which made disappear their displeasure. The great chief told me that he was pleased with the speech;
that he would soon give me an answer. In a private discourse with
the great chief, he told me not to mind what the Shawanees would
tell me, having a bad heart, and being the pertubators of all the nations. He said the Miamis had a bad name, on account of the mischief done on the river Ohio; but he told me, it was not occasioned
By his young men, but by the Shawanees; his young men going
out only for to hunt.
The 25th of April, Blue Jacket, chief warrior of the Shawanees,
invited me to go to his house, and told me-' My friend, by the
name and consent of the Shawanees and Delawares, I will speak to
you. We are all sensible of your speech, and pleased with it:
but, after consultation, we can not give an answer without hearing
from our father at Detroit; and we are determined to give you back
the two branches of wampum, and to send you to Detroit to see and
hear the chief, or to stay here twenty nights for to receive his answer. From all quarters we receive speeches from the Americans,
and not one is alike. We suppose that they intend to deceive us.
Then take back your branches of wampum.'
"The 26th, five Pottawattamies arrived here with two negro
men, which they sold to English traders. The next day I went to
the great chief of the Miamis, called Le Gris. His chief warrior
was present. I told him how I had been served by the Shawanees. He answered me that he had heard of it: that the said nations
behaved contrary to his intentions. I-e desired me not to mind
those strangers, and that he would soon give me a podidive answer.
"The 28th of April, the great chief desired mie to call at the
French trader's and receive his answer.'Don't take bad,' said he,'of what I am to tell you. You may go back when you please. We
can not give you a positive answer. We must send your speeches
to all our neighbors, and to the lake nations. We can not give a definitive answer without consulting the commandant at Detroit.' And
he desired me to render him the two branches of wampum refused
by the Shawanees; also a copy of speeches in writing. He promised me that, in thirty nights, he would send an answer to Post Vincennes by a young man of each nation. He was well pleased with
the speeches, and said to be worthy of attention, and should be
communicated to all their confederates, 7hav;inyg raesohled anrown'y




GAMELINTS JOURLNAL 1.                9
leiem not do any7t'inyg woithocut a unanimous conzsent. I agreed to
his requisitions, and rendered him the two branches of wampum
and a copy of the speech. Afterward he told me that the Five Nations, so called, or Iroquois, were training something; that five of
them, and three Wyandotts, were in this village with branches of
wampum. He could not tell me presently their purpose, but he said
I would know of it, very soon.
"The same day Blue Jacket, chief of the Shawanees, invited me
to his house for supper; and, before the other chiefs, told me that,
after another deliberation, they thought necessary that I should go
myself to Detioit for to see the commandant, who would get all his
children assembled to hear my speech. I told them I would not
answer them in the niglt; that I was not ashamed to speak before
the sun.
6 The 29th of April I got them all assembled. I told them that I
was not to go to Detroit; that the speeches were directed to the nations of the river Wabash and the Miami; and that, for to prove the
sincerity of the speech, and the heart of Governor St. Clair, I have
willingly given a copy of the speeches to be shown to, the commandant of Detroit; and, according to a letter wrote by the commandant of Detroit to the Miamis, Shawanees, and Delawares, mentioning to you to be peaceable with the Americans, I would go to
him very willingly, if it was in my directions, being sensible of his
sentiments. I told them I had nothing to say to the commandant;
neither him to me. You must imaiediately resolve, if you intend
to take me to Detroit, or else I am to go back as soon as possible.
Blue Jacket got up and told 1  Me, M y friend, we are well pleased
with what you say. Our intention is not to force you to go to Detroit. It is only a proposal, thinlkino it for the best. Our answer
is the same as the Miamis. We will send, in thirty nights, a full.
and positive answer by a young man of each nation by writing to
Post Vincennes.' In the evening, Blue Jacket, chief of the Shawanees, having t  me ten o supper with him, told me, in a private
manner, that the Shawanee nation was in doubt of the sincerity of
the Big Knives, so called, having been already deceived by them.
That they had first destroyed their lands, put out their fire, and
sent away their young men, being a hunting, without a mouthful
of meat; also had taken away their women-wherefore, many of
them would, with a great deal of pain, forget these affronts. Moreever, that some other nations were apprehending that offers'of
peace would, may be, tend to take away, b' degrees, their lands,
and would serve thlem as they did before: a certain proof that they
intend to encroach on our lands, is their new settlement onthe Ohio.
If they don't keep this side [of the Ohio] clear, it will never be a
proper reconcilement with tihe nations Shawanees Iroquois, Woi yandotts, and perhaps many others.. Le Gris, chief of the Miamis,
asked me, in a private discourse, lwha chiefs had made a treaty
with the Am1ericans at Muskingdlum  [Fort Harmar]? I answered




120                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
him that their names were mentioned in the treaty. He told me
he had heard of it some time ago; but they are not chiefs, neither
delegates, who made that treaty-they are only young men who,
without authority and instructions from their chiefs, have concluded that treaty, which will not be approved. They went to the
treaty clandestinely, and they intend to make mention of it in the
next council to be held.
"The 2d of May I came back to the river a lAnguille. One of
the chief men of the tribe being witness of the council at [Miami
town, repeated the whole to them; and whereas, the first chief was
absent, they said they could not for the present time give answer,
but they were willing to join their speech to those of their eldest
brethren.'To give you proof of an open heart, we let you know
Lhat one of our chiefs is gone to war on the Americans; but it was
before we heard of you, for certain they would not have been gone
thither.' They also told me that a few days after I passed their village seventy warriors, Chippewas and Ottawas, from Michilimacinac, arrived there. Some of them were Pottawattamies, who, meeting in their route the Chippewas and Ottawas, joined them. c We
told them what we heard by you; that your speech is fair and true.
We could not stop them from going to war. The Pottawattamies
told us that, as the Chippewas and Ottawas were more numerous
than them, they were forced to follow them.'
"The 3d of May I got to the Weas. They told me that they
were waiting for an answer from their eldest brethren.'We approve very much our brethren for not to give a definitive answer,
without informing of it all the la.ke Nations; that Detroit wa.s the
place where the lire was lighted; then it ought first to be put out
there;that the English commandant is their father, since he threw
down our French father.. They could do nothing without his approba,tion.'
"c The 4th of May I arrived at the village of the Kickapoos. The
chief, presenting me two branches of wampum, black and white,
said:'IMy son, we can not stop our young men from going to war.
Every day. some set off clandestinely for that purpose. After such
behavior from- our young men, we are ashamed to say to the great
chief at the Illinois and of the Post Vincennnes, that we are busy
about some good affairs for the reconcilement; but be persuaded
that we will speak to them continually concerning the peace; and
that, whlen our eldest brethren will have sent their answer, we will
join ours to it.'
"The 5th of May I arrived at Vermillion. I found nobody but
two chiefs; all the rest were gone a hunting. They told me they
had nothingo else to say but what I was told going up."
Gov. St. Clair being at Kaskaskia, in the fore part of the month
of June of this year, (1790) received fromn Major Hamtramck the
following, bearing date, " Post Vincennes, lMay 22d, 1790: "' I
now inclose t]e proceedings of Mr. G(amelin, by which your excel



TI-E MMAN-EATING SOCIETY —      FoIESYTsT I  ACCOUNT.         121
lency can have no great hopes of bringing the Indians to a peace
with the United States.     The 8th of May, Gamelin arrived, and on
the 11th some merchants arrived and informed me that, as soon as
Gamelin had passed their villages on his return, all the            Indians
had gone to war; that a large party of Indians fronm           Michilemacinac, and some Pottawattamies, had gone to Kentucky; and               that
three days after Gamelin had left the Miami (village-here) an
American was brought there and burnt."'; According to the statement of clief Richardville, Mr. Peltier, and others, says Mr.
J.L. Williams, in his researches, page 11, Historical Sketch of the First tPresbyterian
Church of Fort Wayne," "the extreme point of land just below the month of the St.
Joseph, now so attractive in rural peaceful beauty, is said to have been the accustomed
place for burning prisoners."  Some years ago, chief Richardville also pointed out a
spot, toan old citizen of FortWayne, lying near Mr.J.S.Mason'sline, a few rods from a
grave-yard on the west side of the Bluffton Plank Road, where he said a Kentuckian
had been burned by the Indians sometime during 1812. This, as the reader is already
aware, being long a familiar and beloved spot, not only with the Miaries, but many
other friendly tribes, to hold anl maintain it, they seem to have early devised many
plans and means of security, both against their enemies of other savage tribes and
the whites, at different periods. At a very early time, the Miamies were called and
familiarly known among the tribes of the country as " LINNEWAYS, " or" MIsNNEWAYS,"
which, as with the name MEN-OaENIES, signified MEN. As a means of terror to their
enemies, the Minneways or Miamies had early formed here what was commonly
known as a " man-eating society," which to make it the more fearful to their opponents, was firmly established on a hereditary basis, confined to one family alone, whose
descendants continued to exercise, by right of descent, the savage rites and duties of
the man-eating family. One Major Thomas Forsyth, nwho lived for a period of mnore
than twenty years among the Sauks and Fox Indians, in *a written narration of these
two tribes, first published in Drake's " Life of Black Hawk," as early as 1838, said:
"More than a century ago, all the country, commencing above Rock river, and running down the Mississippi to the mouth of the Ohio, up that river to the mouth of the
Wabash, thence up that river to Fort Wayne, thence down the Miami of the La}ke
some distance, thence north to the St. Joseph's and Chicago; also the country lying
south of the Des Moines, down perhaps, to the Mississippi, wa- inhabited by a numerous nation of Indians, who called themselves Linneway, and were called by others,
Minneway, signifyinlg " men."  This great, nation was divided into several bands, and
inhabited different parts of this extensive region, as follows: The Michigamies, the
country southl of,the Des Moines; the Calokias that east of bhe present village of Cahokia in Illinois; the Kaskaskias that east of the town of that name; the Tanmarois
had their village nearly central between Cahokia and Kaskaskia; the Piankeshlaws near'Vincennes; the Weas up the Wabash; the Miamies on the head wa.ters of the Miami
of the Lakes, on St. Joseph's river and at Chicago. The Piankeshaws, Weas and Miamies, must at this time have hunted south towards and on the Ohio. The Peorias,
another band of the same nation, lived and hunted on the Illinois river: The Maseos
or Mascontins, called by the French GENS DES PRAnRES, lived and hunted on the great
prairies, between the Wabash and Illihois rivers. All these different bands of the
XMinneway nation, spoke the language of the present Miamies, and the whole considered themselves as one and the same people; yet from their local situation, and having
no standard to go by, their language became broken up into different dialects. These
Indians, the Minneways, were attacked by a general confederacy of other nations, such
as the Sauks and Foxes, resident at Green Bay and on the Ouisconsin; the Sioux,
whose frontiers extended south to the river des Moines: the Chippeways, Ottoways,
and Potawvatimies from the lakes, and also the Cherokees and Choctaws from the south.
The war continued for a great rmany years and until that great nation the Minneways
were destroyed, except a few Miamies and'Weas on the Waba'sh, and a few who are
scattered among strangers. Of the Kaskaskias, owing to their wars and their fondness
for spirituous liquors, there now (1826) remain but thirty or forty souls:-of the Peorias nea,1 St. Genevieve ten or fifteen; of the Pianlkeshaws forty or fifty. The.iatimies are the most numerous; a few years ago they consisted of about four hundred souls.
There do not exist at the present day (1826) more than five hundred souls of the once
great and powerful Minineway or Illini nation. These. Indians, the Minneways, are
said to have been very cruel to their prisoners, not unfrequently burning tllen. I have




I2 HISTOnY OF FoKt'     NWxrN.
Being, readily induced to believe, from     the dispatches received
from Hamtram'ck, that there was no possibility of forming a treaty
of peace with the Miamie Indians and other tribes banded with
them, Governor St. Clair determined       to return to Fort Washington
(Cincinnati,) with a view of consulting with     General Ilarmalr as to
the expediency of an expedition against the hostile tribes; and,
accordingly, on the 11th of June, he quit Ksfaskaia, and by water,
reached Fort Washington on the 13th of July.
H-aving consulted with General IIarmar, and concluding to se nd
a formidable force against the Indians about the head waters of the
Wabash, by authority      of President Washington, on the 15th of
July (1790,) he addressed circular letters to a nuimiber of Lieutenants of the western counties (of Virginia, of which Kenitucky was
then a part) and Pennsylvania, for the purpose of raising one thousand militia in the former, and five hundred in the latter.    The regular troops then in service in the west General Harmar estimated
at about four hundred efficient men, with whom the militia were to
operate as follows:    Of the Virginia militia, 300 were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben, and, with a garrison at that post, to proceed
to Vincennes, to join Major Hamtramck, who had orders to call to
his aid the militia of that place.   From thence to move up the Wabash, with a view of attacking'such points among the Indian villages along that river as his force mighlt seem adequate.     The twelve
hundred lmilitia remaining were to join the regular troops, under
General Hlarmar, at Fort Washington.        That the British conmmandant at Detroit might know the true cause and course of the movement, on the 19th of September, Gov. St. Clair addressed a letter to
him, which he sent by a private conveyance, assuring the said comnbeard of a certain family among the Miamies who were called man-eaters, as they were
accustomed to make a feast of human flesh when a prisoner was killed. For Itef se enor
mities, the Sauks and Foxes, when they took any of the Minneways prisoners, gave
them up to their women to be buffeted to death. They speak also of the }lascontins''with abhorrence, on accounlt of their cruelties.'The Sauks and Foxes lhave a historical
legned of a severe battle having been fought opposite the mouth of the Iowa river,
about fifty or sixty miles above the mouth of Rock riverr The Sauks and Foxes descended the Mississippi in canoes, and landing at the place above described, slar:ted.
east, towards the enemy: they had not gone far before they were attaclked by a party
of the Mascontins. The baltle continued nearly all day; the Sauks and Foxes,, for
want of ammlunition, finally gave wray and fled to their canoes: the Mascontins,pursued them and fought desperately, and left but few of the Sauks and Foxes to carry
home the story ef their defeat. Some forty or fifty years ago, the Sauks and Foxes attacked asrnall village of Peorias, about a mile below St. Louis and were there defeated.
At a place on the Illinois river, called Little Rock, there were formerlty killed by the
Chippceways and Ottowas, a number of nien, women and children of the Minneway
nation. In 1800 tlie Kiekapoos made a. great slaughter of the iaslaskia Inldians. The
Main-Pogue, or Potlawatimie juggler, in 1801, killed a great many of the.Piankeshaws
on the Wabash."
In proof of'the foregoing, relative to the society of man-eaters amonwg the Indians at
this point, General Lewis Cass, in a speech here,'elixvered at the ctanal celebrition of
July 4th 1843, in "Swinney', Grove." near the site of the prosant Catholic cemeterysaid:;" For many years during the frontier history of this place and lreoion, the line of your
canal was a bloody war-path, rhich has seen many a deed of horror. And this peaceful
town has had its Mloloch, and the records of human depravity furnish no more terrible
examples of cruelty than were offered at hi, shrine. The lMilmi Indians, our prede(
cessors in the occupation of this district, lad a terrible institution'-whose ori'gin and




RuIEA' ACCOUIL-NT-GE&I. CAss' ADDRmESS.                123
mandant that the purposes of the United States were pacific in so
far as their relations to Great Britain were concerned; that the expedition was to quell the vindictive and intolerable spirit of the Indians towards the settlements, whither and against whom           they had
so long, so inhumanly, and destructively carried their savage warfare.
That the English, towards Lake Erie, notwithstanding this spirit
of candor and     courtesy   on the part of St. Clair, gave aid to the
Indians in their efforts against the United States during 1790-'91,
the evidence is clear enough; but to wllhat extent, was not fully
known. The following paragraphs from a certificate of one Thomas
Rhea, taken in the early part of 17'90, will give sonie clue, at
least, as to the aid then and subsequently rendered the         Indians by
the British:
" At this place, the Miiami," said Rhea, in his account," w ere Colonels Brant' and McKee, with his son Thomas; and Captains Bunbury and Silvie, of the British troops.       These    officers, &c., were
all encamped on the south side of the Miami or Ottawa river, at
the rapids above. Lake Erie, about eighteen miles; they had clever
houses, built chiefly by the Pottawattamies and other Indians; in
these they had stores of goods, with arms, ammunition and provision, Twhich they issued to the Indians in great abundance, viz: corn,
pork, peas, &c.
* Brant was a Mohawk chieftain, of considerable intelligence, educated at PIliladelphia; a favorite of Sir William Johnson, and ever greatly attached to the British. —
After the struggles of these periods, he took up his residence in Canada, where he died
in 1807.
object have been lost in the darkncss of aboriginal history, but which was continued
to a late period, and whose orgies were held upon the very spot where wenow are. It
was called the man-eating society, and it was the duty of its associates to eat such prisoners as were preserved and delivered to them for that purpose. The members of this
societyibelonged to a particular family, and the dreadful inheritance descended to all
the children, male and female. The duties it imposed could not be avoided, and the
sanctions of religion were added to the obligations of immemorial usage. The feast
was a solemnI ceremony, at which the whole tribe was collected as actors or spectators.
The miserable victim was bound to a stake, and burned at a slow fire, with all the refinements of cruelty, which savage ingenuity could invent. There was a traditionary
ritual, which regulated with revolting precision, the whole course of procedure at these
ceremonies  Latterly the authority and obligations of the institution had declined,
and I presume it has now wholly disatppeared. But I have seen and conversed with
the head of the family, the chief of the society, whose name was Whlite Skin-n-iti,
what feeling of disgust, I need not attempt to describe. I well knew an intelligent
Canadian, who was present at one of the last sacrifices made at;thishorlriblc institiution.
The victim was a young American captuied in Kentucky, towards the clo)se of our
Revolutionary War. Here where we are now,ssembled, in peace and security, celeibrating the triumph of art and industry, within the memory of the present generation,
our countrymen have been thus tortured, and murdered, and devoured. But, thank
God, that council-fire is extinguished. The impious feast is over; the war-dance is
ended; the war-song is sung: the war-drum is silent, and the Indian has departed to
find, I hope. in the distant West, a comfortable residence, and I hope also to find, un:
der the protection, and, if need be, under the power of the United States, a radical
change in the institutions and general improvement in his morals and condition. A
feeble remnant of tie once powerful tribe, which formerly won their way to the dominion of tlis region, by blood, and by blood maintained it, have to-day appeared
almolog us like passing shadows, flitting round the places that know them Io Imoe.
Their resurrection, if I may so speak,is not the least impressive spectacle, which mLarks the
pIrogress of this in llosing ceremonv. Tllhey alrc tle broken colimn Uwh, ich connect us wit



12&4                 H1ISTOY Of' FORT VWAYNE.
"The Indians came to this place in parties of one, t-wo, three,
four and iive hundred at a time, from  different quarters, and received from iMr. McKee and the Indian officers, clothing, arms, ammunition, provisions, &c., and set out immediately for the upper
Miami towns, where they understood the forces of he United States
were bending their course, and in order to supply the Indians from
other quarters collected there, pirogues, loaded with the abovementioned articles, were sent up the Mialmi (Maumee) river, wrought
by French Canadians."
About the middle of September, the Virginia militia began to
gather about the mouth of Licking river, opposite Cincinnati, all
of whom were, for the most part, badly armed and lacked for campkettles and axes; but were readily organized by General Harmar,
and soon formed into three battalions, under Majors Hall, iMcAMullen, and Ray, writh Trotter, as Lieutenant-Colonel to lead them.
About the 24th of September, came the militia of Pennsylvania to
Fort Washington, who were also badly equipped, and many of
whom   were substitutes-" old, infirm  men, and young boys."
These were formed into one battalion, under Lieut.-Colonel Truby
and Major Paul; while four battalions of militia, subject to General Harmar's command, were commanded by Col. John HIardin.
Majors John Plasgrave Wylles, and John Doughty commanded the
regular troops, in two small battalions. The artilery corps, with
but three pieces of ordinance, was under the command of Captain
William  Ferguson; while under James Fontaine was placed a
small battalion of light troops or mounted militia-amounting in
all to about 1,453 regular and raw militia troops.
The militia under Col. Hardin, on the 2tllh of September, advanced from Fort Washington into the country, for the double purpose of opening a road for the artillery and to obtain feed for their
cattle. On the 30th of September, the regular troops marched,
commanded by General HIarmar; and on the 3d clay of October
joined the militia.
A journal of the daily movements of the army was regularly
kept by Captain John Armstrong, of the regulars, up to its arrival
at the Mliami village, at this point.
After an uninterrupted march of sixteen days, on the afte.rnoon
of the 15th of October, Colonel Hardin, with an advanced detachment, reached this point, and stole in upon the Miami village, only
the past. The edifice is in ruins, and the gia-nt vegetation, whlich covered and protectec
it, lies as low as the once mighty structure, which was shelved in its recesses. They
have come to witness the first great act of peace in our frontier history, a'their presence
here is the last in their own. The ceremonies upon which you heretofore gazed with
interest, will never again be seen by the white man, in this seat of their former power.
But thanks to our ascend ancy, these reprc:sentations are but a pagealnt; but a theatrical
exhibition. which, with barbarous motions, and sounds and contortions, shew how their
ancestors conquered their enemies, and how they glutted their revenige in blood. To(lay, this last of the race is here-to-morrow they will comm ence their journey towards
the setting sun, where their fathers, agreeable to their rude faith, haIe preceded thlim,
and where the red man w iill find rest and safety.:'




A2mrY UNDER tHARMAR ARRIVE IHERE-AN ORDERI.     12 5
to find it deserted by men, women and children. A few cows, some
vegetables, and about twenty thousand bushels of corn in the ear,
save tlie wigwams, huts, and surrounding scenery, were all that
greeted them; and the niilitia, in much disorder, soon began to
move about in search of plunder.
On the 17th, about one o'clock, the main body of the army came
up and crossed the Maurmee to the village.
Major MclVMullen, of Col. Hardin's command, having discovered
the tracks of women and children leading in a north-westerly direction, and so reported to General Harmar on his arrival, the latter determined at once upon an effort to discover their place of ren(ezvous 5 and, to that end, on the morning of the 18th, detailed Col.
Trotter, {Major Hall, Major Ray, and Major' McMlullen, with three
hundred men, among owhom were thirty regulars, forty light-horse,
and two hundred and thirty active riflemen. Furnished with three
days> provision, they were ordered to reconitoiter the country around
the village. About one mile from the encampment, an Indian on
horseback wvas discovered, pursued, and killed, by a part of the
detachment, under Trotter; and before returning to the main body
of the party, another Indian was seen, "when the four field officers
left their commands, and pursued him, leaving the troops for the
space of about half an hour without any direction whatever."  Being intercepted by the light-horsemen, one of which party he had
wounded, the Indian was at length killed. Changing the route of
his detatchment, and moving in different directions, till night, Col.
Trotter again, unexpectedly to, and without the approbation of Gemn
eral Harmar, returned to the Miami village.
In consequence of the disorderly course of the militia on their
arrival at the village, in their desire for plunder, General Harmar
ordered cannon to be fired for the purpose of calling them to their
ranks,.and also harangued the officers on the bad results liable to
follow such indifference. On the l8th he issued the following genm
eral order:
" CAMP AT THE MIAMI VILLAGE, Oct. 18, 1790.
" The general is much mortified at the unsoldier-like behavior of
many of the men in the army, who make it a practice to straggle
firom the camp in search of plunder. He, in the most positive
terms, forbids this practice in future, and the guards will be answerable to prevent it, No party is to go beyond the line of sentinels without a commissioned officer, who, if of the militia, will apply to Colonel Hardin for his orders. The regular troops will apply to the general. All the plunder that may be hereafter collec,ted, will be equally distributed among the army. The kettles, and
every other article already taken, are to be collected by the commanding officers of batalions, and to be delivered to-morrow morning to Mr. Belli, the quartermaster, that a fair distribution may take
place. The rolls are to be called at troop and retreat beating, and




12 6               tITORY Ot FotIT WAY-S.
every man absent is to be reported. The general expects that these
orders will be pointedly attended to: they are to be read to the troops
this evening. The army is to march. to-morrow morning early for
their new encampment at Chillicothe,' about two miles from hence.
"' JOSIAT-I HARMIAR, B3uIiAD1ER-GENERAI."
Col. H-ardin, having' aske./ for the command of the troops returned
to camp under Trotter, fo- the remaining two days, Genm Harmar
readily complied; and on the next day, (19th) Col. Hardin led the detachment along an Indian trail to the northwest, in the direction of
the Kickapoo villages. Coming to a point, near a morass, some five
niles distant from the confluence of the St., Mlary and St. Joseph
rivers, where, on the preceding day, there had been an Indian encampment, the detachment came to a halt, and were soon stationed
at different points, in readiness for an attack, should the enemy
still be nearb A half hour passed and ilo sign of the enemy. The
order now being given to the companies in the front to advance,
the company under Faulkner, not having received the order of
march, a neglect on the part of Col. Hardin, was left behind. I-tating advanced some three miles, two Indians afoot, with packs, were
discovered; but, the brush being thickl, and suddenly throwing
aside their burdens at the sight of the detachment, were soon lost
sight of and escaped. The absence of Faulkner at this time becoming apparent, Major Fontaine, with a portion of the cavalry,
was at once sent in pursuit of him, with the supposition that he was
lost.
The report of a gun, in front of the detachment, soon fell upon
the attentive ear of Captain Armstrong, in command of the regulars-an alarm gun,.perhaps, suggested he. He had discovered the
"' tracks of a horse that had come down the road and returned."
These facts were readily conveyed to the ear of Colonel Hardin.
Captain Armstrong now observed the fires of the Indians-they
were only discernible in the distance. Caution was large in the
soul of Armstrong. Hardin thought the Indians would not fight,
and moved forward, in the direction of the fires, neither giving orders or preparing for an attack. The little army of three hundred
were now strangely separated —they were in the forest, several
miles from camp. The enemy were in ambush-were numerous— and Me-che-cannah-quah,-Little Turtle-was their leader. Hardin continued to advance, and the columns moved forward in obedience to orders. B3ehind the fires lay the red men, hidden fiom
view, with guns leveled. Steadily the broken detachment moved
forward, under the intrepid control of their commander; and no
sooner had they approached the fires than a terrible volley was
opened upon them from behind the smoking entrenchments. The
shock was sudden —the columns were unprepared for it. The mi-*A Shawanoe village.
f Thought by some to have been as many ass seven hundred —by others only about one
hundred. The locality of this engageneilt Was near Rel River, about the poirit w-here
the Gosheln State Road crosse ths this stream, nocw known.s ". feller's Corners."




DZFEAT OF A EIITACIMErNT —MIAMI ILjLAGE DEISTROYED.    1217
litia were panic stricken, and all but nine broke the ranks and began a precipitat;e flight for the camp of Gen. Harmar. Hardin hlad
retreated with them, and in vain strove to rally them. The resolute regulars bravely faced the enermy, and returned the fire, The
nine remainino militia were pierced by the balls of the enemy, and
twenty-two of the regulars fell while Captain Armstrono, Ensign
Hartshorn, and some five or six privates, alone made their escape,
and reached the camp again' at the village. The victory was with
the Indians, and the retreating columns all reached the camp of
I-armer without further loss,
Havino, after the departure of HIardin and the detachment in
the morning, destroyed the Miami village, H-armar, in the meantime, had moved about two miles dovwn the Maumee, to the Shawanoe village, known as Chillicothie, and' on the  0th issued the
following orders:
CAMP AT COIIIOrrTLo -TE, one of tie Sicawanceae towns, )
on, the, Omee [_zIfc'anee river, Oct. 20th, 1790.'6The party under command of Captain Strong is ordered to
burn and destroy every house and wigwam in this village, together
with all the corn, etc., which he can collect. A party of one hundred men (militia), properly officered, under the command of Col.
Hardin, is to burn and destroy effectually, this afternoon, the Pickaway town,' with all the corn, etc., which he can find in it and its
vicinity,
"The cause of the detatchment being worsted yesterday, was entirely owing to the shameful, cowardly conduct of the militia, who
ran away, and threw down their arms without firing scarcely a
single gun. In returning to Fort Washington, if any officer or men
presume to quit the ranks, or not to, march in:the form  that they
are ordered, the general will most assuredly order the artillery to
fire on them. He hopes the check they received yesterday will.
make them in future obedient to orders.'
"JOSIAH IJARMAR, BsUIGADIx       -GENErAL."
From the scene of the yet smoking and charred remains of the
Indian village of Chillicothe,t at ten o'clock on the morning of the
21st, the army under Harmar took up its line of march towards Fort
Washington, and proceeded about seven miles, when a halt, was
made, and the army encamped for the night.
The evening was clear and beautiful-one of those glorious
nights in the month of October. when the stars, all in harmony, with
no clouds intervening between the earth and the etherial blue to
*-A Shawanoe village.
~'The scene of this village, sometwvo miles below Fort Wayne, on the iMaumee, was
about the site of the residence of Mrs. Phelps. Says Mr. J. W. Da rvson, in his research
es, concerning the history of Fort Wayfne, "from Judge Colmin, who settled on the
falrm now owned by Mr. Phells, in 1827, we learn that every evidence of former cultivation of the ground there, was seen;. there being no timber growing, evidences of
ancient building, of gardening, such as asparagus, &e.; and alo' there founl( many
bayonets, gun-na'rels, knives, paclk-sadlle frales, &c."




128              lHISTORY OF FORT VWAYNE.
shut out their joyous example, seem to twinkle a heavenly anthetm
to the sombre hues and waneing aspects of Autumn. No stealthy
tread was heard-no savage form was to be seen-the whoo-whoo,
wh-o-o of the night-owl; thi careful movement.of the sentinel; the
mingled voices of the soldiery, and the falling leaves, rustling
through the branches to the earth, were all the sounds that fell
upon the attentive ears of:Iarmar and his army.
Looking thus out upon the stillness and beauty of the night, a
thouglht had stolen upon the mind of Colonel Hardin. Iis ambition-his desire for the chastisement of the Indian-was by no
nmeans appeased. The Miamies had perhaps returned to the village
immediately after the departure of the army, thought he; and a
most propitious opportunity was presented to return and C" steal a
march upon them."  Thus imbued, he readily imparted his feelings
to General Iarmar-urging " that, as he had been unfortunate the
other day, he wished to have it in his power to pick the militia and
try it again." Ile sought to explain the cause of the militia not
meeting the [ndians on the 19th; and insisted that he then wished
to retrieve their course. The earnest demeanor of Hardin prevailed.
HIarmer gave his consent. The commanding general was anxious
that the Indians should be as well subdued as possible, that they
might not give the army trouble on its return march to Fort Washington; and, as the night advanced, amid the stillness of the scene
about them, with a body of three hundred and forty militia, and
sixty regulars under iMajor Wyllys, with a view of advancing upon
the Miami village before daylight, and thus be enabled the more
effectually to surprise the Indians, the force took up its line of
march in three columns, the regulars in the centre, and the militia
to the rigt and left. Captain Joseph Ashton moved at the head
of the regulars, while Major Wyllys an'd Colonel Hardin were in
his front. Contrary to expectations, some delay having occurred
by the halting of the mnilitia, the banks of the MLaumee were not
gained till after sunrise. Indians were now soon discovered by the
spies, at the announcement of which, Major Wyllys called the regulars to a halt, and ordered the militia on to a point in fiont, and
presented his plan of attack to the commanding officers of the detachment. Major Wyllys reserving to himself the command of the
regulars, Major Hall was directed, with his battalion, to move circuitously round the bend of the Maumee, crossing the St. Mary's
and, in the rear of the Indians, to halt until an attack should be
itmade  by Major McMullen's battalion, Major Fontaine's cavalry,
and the regular troops under Major Wyllys, who were all ordered
to cross the Maumee at and near the common fording place, which
was about opposite the residence of iMr. J. J. Comparet.*  Hardin
*Among the wounded in this engagement, there was a man by the name of John
Smith, who, during the engagement, with several others fell in the river. He had received a severe wound, and, as a meaus of safety, had remained quiet until all had
left, when he crawled -to the bank of the river and concealed himself until some time
during the night. When'al se'emed still, he cautiously left his bidding place, moved




BURIAL PLACE OF MAJORS WYLLYS, FONTAINE, AND OTHERS.           129
and Wyllys had aimed to surround the Indians in their encampinent; but Major Hall, having reached his position unobserved,
disregarded the orders given by firing upon a' single Indian that
appeared in sight before the general attack was made.      The report
from the point of Hall's battalion had startled the Indians, and
small squads of them were seen hurrying away in many directions,
rapidly pursued, contrary to orders, by the. militia under McMullen, and the cavalry under Fontaine, leaving Wyllys, at the head
of the regulars, without support, and who, crossing the Maunmee.
were attacked by a superior body of Indians, under the lead of Little lTurtle, and at length, after the fall of Wyllys and the largest
portion ofthe regular troops, were forced to retreat.    Major Fontaine, at the head of the mounted militia, in a charge upon a small
body of Indians, with a number of his men were killed,* while the
remainder sought safety in retreat. In the meantime, while the
regulars were engaged with the party under Little Turtle, the militia under Hall and McMullen, at the confluence of the St. Mary
and St. Joseph, were briskly engaged in combating small parties
of Indians; but soon retreated after the defeat of the regulars, having killed and wounded many of the red men, who made no attempt to follow them, in their rapid march towards the main body
under Harmar.     A single horseman having reached the camp of
the main army, about 11 o'clock, a. m., Harmar at once, upon learning the news of the defeat of the detachment, ordered Major Ray,
with his battalion, to advance t tthe aid of the retreating forces.
But the effect of the panic on the militia was too great-but thirty
men could be prevailed on to advance to the rescue under Major
Ray, who had advanced but a short distance, when they were met
by Hardin and the retreating forces under him.      Gaining the encampment, Colonel Hardin, flushed with excitement, and still entertaining a strong desire to carry his point against the Indians,
urged Harmar to set out at once, with the entire force, for the Mi*The remains of Majors Wyllys and Fontaine, with some eight other officers and valiant men who fell on the occasion, were buried in some trenches, near thed banks of the
Maumee, some twenty rods below the residence of J. J. Comparet, Esq. The indentations on either side of the Maumee, just below Mr. Comparet's dwelling, still exhibits
to the stranger the fatal ford where so many brave men fell, and whose blood reddened
the stream.
down the Maumee a short distance, and made his escape, reaching Fort Washington
in safety, and recovered from his wounds. When Wayne's army came here, this man
Smith came with it, and ever after lived, and, some years ago, died here, Mrs. Suttenfield, whose name is already familiar to the reader, informed the writer that Smith
lived for two years in her family, and many times heard him relate his adventures and
narrow escape from the Indians on the occasion in question. The Indians being in
ambush, along the banks of the Maumee, both above and below, at the time' Harmar's
men began to move over the river, a cross fire was opened upon them by the Indlians,
and a large number fell in the river, rendering the water, which was not then detep
enough to cover the bodies, quite bloody, so much so, that Smith, though very dry,
would not drink it. When it grew dark, the Indians, none of whom had pursued the
retreating forces, came to the river, and began to strip the bodies, exulting greatly
over their victory. In describing the noise they mado while thus engaged, Smith who
was still concealed, said their voices "souadecd like the chattering of a parcel'of btelck
birds."                        {9




130              HISTORY OF FoRT WIAYTR
ami village again. But Harmar would not venture a return. Saidc
lie: "You see the situation of the army: we are now scarcely able
to move our baggage it will take up three days to go and return
to this place: we have no more forage for our horses: the Indians
have got a very good scourging; and I will keep the army in perfect readiness to receive them, should they think proper to follow."*
The militia had now become little better than wooden men in
the eyes of General Harmar. He had lost all faith in them, and
began at once to narrow the bounds of the camp, A second defeat
and retreat were complete; and without further attempt to move
upon the Indians, on the morning of the 23d of October, after a loss
of one hundred and eighty-three killed, and thirty-one wounded, the
army again took up its line of march for Fort Washington, whither
it arrived on the 4th of November, having met with no further attack or trouble with the Indians after the movement of the 22d,
about and near the ruins of the Miami village.
Amongthe names of the killed during the efforts of the army
in this campaign, were Maj or Wyllys and Lieutenant Ebenezer
Frothingham, of the regulars; Major Fontaine, Captains Thorp,
McMucrtrey, and Scott, Lieutenants Clark and Rogers, and Ensigns
Bridges, Sweet, Higgins, and Thielkeld, of the militia.. The loss
on the part of the Indians was thought to be about equal that of
the forces under Harmar.
Turning our attention to the expedition of Major Hamtramck,
who, as the reader will remember, had moved from Vincennes up
the Wabash, we find that while Harmar was moving upon the
Miami village at this point, and destroying the villages, corn, etc.,.
of the Indians in the region, the former had proceeded with
his command to the mouth of Vermillion river, and laid waste
several deserted villages, returning again to Vincennes, uninterrupted in his efforts.
The campaigns of 1790, against the Indians of the Northwest,
were now closed, and the chilling blasts of another long, dreary
winter, with its anxieties, its hardships, and its perils, had begun
to set in about the sparse and lonely settlements of the west.
-Depositioni of Hardin, Sept. 144, 17910




CHAPTER XI.
<' Those Western Pioneers an impulse felt,
Which their less hardy sons scarce comprehend;
Alone, in lNature's wildest scenes they dwelt;
*      *     X      *     *n       X
Andlfought with deadly strife for every inch of ground."
F. W. THOMAS.
Effedt of the movement of Gen. tlarmar-Hostilities renewed by the Indians-Opposition to the Militia-Petition of the settlers-Increase of the regular army-Appointment of Gen. St. Clair-Preparations for another movement against the Miami Village here-Instructions of the Secretary of War —Expedition of Gen. Scott
1-A second expedition from Kentuceky —Gen. Wilkinson's account of the same-.Effect of these expeditions-What the Indians believed-Organization of an Indian confederacy-British influencee-Simon Girty-Mrs. Suttenfield's recollections-Treaty of 1783-British disregard of it-'-Army under St. Clair move for
this point-Unfavorable weather, &c. —The army reach the site of the present
town of Fort Recovery-Approach of winter —The army encamp for the nightIndians on the alert-Preparations for an early move next morning-Sudden and
furious attack by the Indians-Militia give Way-Great consternation-St. Clair's
account —Great slaughter —O0fficets nearly all killed —Artillery silenced-Retreat
the only hope, which is effected —Horses nearly all killed —Cannon left behindMain road gained-Guns, knapsacks, f&c., strewn for miles along the road-Rout
*continued for 29 miies&-Statement of the killed, woun'ded, &c —Many women'had
followed the expedition"-terrible Treatment by the Indians-B. Van Cleve's account-A new order of things the only hope of thl e west.
-oIIE INDIANS, though much effected by the campaign of I-armar, both in the destruction of their villages and the loss of
considerable numbers of their braves in the skirmishes with
the troops at this point and neAr Eel river, were yet much
elated at the departure of Harmar, and so much did they esteem   it a success on their part, that they renewed their attacks
Eon the frontier with increased force and ferocity.      Meetings were
called to devise means for defending the settlements.        The policy
of employing regular officers to command militia was denounced,,and petitions were extensively circulated, praying the President to
employ militia only in defence of the frontier, and offering to raise
a sufficient force to carry the war immeciately into the Indian
country."k
The grayer of the petitoners, however, was not granted, but the'*" Amne'ien Pion.ts'   p,  5.




132                H-ISTORY OF FOBT WAYNE.
President readily favored the increase of the regular army on the
frontier, and appointed General St. Clair to the command. Energetic measures were adopted to furnish him with arms, stores, &c.,
for an early campaign; but the difficulties and delays incident to
furnishing an army, so far removed fromi militarydepots, with cannon, ammunition, provisions, and the means of transportation, were
so great, that much time was lost before General St. Clair was able
to move his army from Fort Washington; and then it was said to
be in obedience to express orders, and against his own judgment,
as he was neither provided with sufficient force, nor the means of
transportation.
It was on the 3d of March, 1791, that Congress passed the "' act
for raising and adding another regiment to the militia establishment of the United States, and for makihg further provision for the
protection of the frontier.' " An army of some three thousand
troops was proposed to be placed under the command of General
Arthur St. Clair. On the 21st of March, ('91), the following instructions were addressed, by the Secretary of War, Gen. Hlenry
Knox, to General St. Clair; which shows with what importance the
possession of this point was still held, and in which President
Washington, doubtless, wielded a large share of influence. Said
the Secretary; "While you are making use of such desultory operations as in your judgment the occasion may require,'you will proceed vigorously, in every preparation in your power, for the purpose of the main expedition; and having assembled your force, and
all things being in readiness, if no decisive indications of peace
should have been produced, either by the messengers or by the
desultory operations, you will commence your march for the Miami village, in order to establish a strong and permanent military
post at that place. In your advance you will establish such posts
of communication with Fort Washington, on the Ohio, as you may
judge proper. The post at the Miami villageis intended for awing
and curbing the Indians in that quarter, and as the only preventive
of future hostilities. It ought, therefore, to be rendered secure
against all attempts and insults of the Indians. The garrison which
should be stationed there ought not only to be sufficient for the defense of the place, but always to afford a detachment of five or six
hundred men, either to chastise any of the Wabash or other hostile
Indians, or to secure any convoy of provisions. The establishment
of said post is considerec as an important object of the campaign,
and is to take place in all events. In case of a previous treaty, the
Indians are to be conciliated upon this point if possible; and it is
presumed good arguments may be offered to induce their acquiescence.     *      u: Having commenced your march upon the main
expedition, and the Indians continuing hostile, you will use every
possible exertion to make them feel the effects of your superiority;
and, after having arrived at the Miami village, and put your works
in a defensible state, you will. seek the enemy with the whole of




SCOTT'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE WEA TOWNS.     133
your remaining force, and endeavor, by all possible means to strike
them with great severity.' *  *  In order to avoid fiture wars,
it might be proper to make the Wabash, and thence ovdr to the
Maumee, and down the same to its mouth at lake Erie, the boundary [between the people of the United States and the Indians], excepting so far as the same should relate to the Wyandots and Delawares, on the supposition of their continuing faithful to the treaties. But if they should join in the war against the United States,
and your army be victorious, the said tribes ought to be removed
without the boundary mentioned."
On the 9th of March, some days before instructions were addressed to General St. Clair, General Knox, had communicated
similar instructions to Brigadier-General Scott, of Kentucky, to
move, with a sufficient body, against the Wea or Ouiatenon townsW
on the Wabash. Accordingly on the 23d of May, following, " with
a force of about eight hundred mlounted and armed men," Scott' crossed the Ohio, at the mouth of the Kentucky river," and took
up his line of march for Ouiatenon, and on the afternoon of the first
of June, after a most disagreeable march of over 150 miles, through
rain and storm, and the encounter of many obstacles, they succeeded in reaching and surprising the villagbe of Ouiatenon, which, with
other towns, the'growing corn, &c., in the region, were soon after
destroyed, and thirty Indians, mostly warriors, killed, and fiftyeight taken prisoners; from whence, without the loss of a man, and
but six wounded, on the 14th of June, they started on their return march for the rapids of the Ohio. On the 4th of the month,
while at the Ouiatenon towns, Scott gave the Indians a written
speech, in which he assured them  of the pacific and humane
feelings of the United States government towards them, in view of
their becoming peaceable and quiet in their future relations with
the government and people of the country.
Scarcely had Gen. Scott and his corps of mounted men returned
to Kentucky, when General St. Clair addressed a letter to the board
of war of the district of Kentucky, authorizing them to send a second expedition of five hundred men up the Wabash. Readily complying with this request, on the 5th of July, at Danville, BrigadierGeneral James Wilkinson was appointed to the command of the
second expedition, and ordered to be in readiness at Fort Washington by the 20th of July with the number of men specified, "well
mounted on horseback, well armed, and provided with thirty days'
provisions."  Accordingly, on the first of August, with five hundred and twenty-five men, Wilkinson left Fort Washington, moving,
by way of feint, in the direction of the Miami village, at this point,
and soon brought up at the Indian town of Ke-na-pa-com-a-qua, on
the north bank of Eel river, about six miles from the present town
of Logansport. After cutting up the corn, then in the milk, and
*Situated on the south side of the river, about eight miles below  the present site of
Lafayette. The site of the old village of Ouiatenon is now known as "We,. T'lPiine."




13I               HIrSTonr oF FORT WAYNE.
burning the cabins the next morning, set out for the Indian towns
beyond. Striking the village of Tippecanoe on the route, it in turn,
with the growing corn, was destroyed; and advancing to one of the
Kiekapoo towns, it too with considerable corn, were burned and
cut down. Moving on, the same day, to the town of Ouiatenon, the
same\ destroyed by General Scott in June, and where the corn had
been replanted, and which had now gained considerable growth,
was cut down again; and from here, striking the trail -of Scott,
they took up the line of march for the rapids of the Ohio, where
they arrived on the 21st of August, after a march of some four
hundred and fifty-one miles, " without any material incident."
In his report, General Wilkinson said: " The volunteers of Kentucky have, on this occasion, acquitted themselves with their usual
good conduct.; but, as no opportunity offered for individual distinction, it would be unjust to give one the plaudits to which they all
have an equal title.:' *  *   But, sir, when you reflect on
the causes which' checked my career and blasted my designs, I flatter myself you will believe every thing has been done which could
be done in my circumstances.*  I have destroyed the chief town of
the Ouiatenon nation, and made prisoners of the sons and sisters of
the Kingo: I have burned a respectable Kickapoo village, and cut
down at leastfour hundred and thirty acres of corn, chiefly in the
milk. The Ouiatenons, (Weas) left without houses, home, or provisions, must cease to war, and will find active employ to subsist
their squaws and children during the impending winter."
The principal design of the campaigns of Generals Scott and
Wilkinson was that of weakening the strength of the Indians of the
Wabash country, with a view to giving material aid to General St.
Clair in his approaching campaign against the Miamies,of Ke-kion-gra and the region here; but an opposite effect was the result.
From formerly having entertained the belief that the Americans
designec to despoil them of their lands, and destroy the whole Indian race, after these and the former efforts of Geeneral H-armar,
the Indians of the northwest, still instigated by the English, began
now most fully to believe that such was truly their design; and instead of slackening their effbrts or ceasing to make war upon the
Americans, the Miamies and Shawanoes, more espescially, began
to call to their aid a numerous body of warriors from the surrounding tribes of the Pottawattamies, Kickapoos, Delawares, Ottawas,
W'yandotts, and other tribes of the northwest; "and while Gen. St.
Clair was makling preparations to establish a military post at the'Miami village, the Miami chief, Little Turtle, the Shawanoe chief,
Blue Jacket, and the Delaware chief, Buck-ong-a-helas, were actively engaged in an effort to organize a confederacy of tribes sufficiently powerful to drive the white settlers fiomn the territory lying
XThre difficult marches through swamps, thickets, &e., had lamed and worn down
Rome(1 two hundrled and seventy horses, with other imlpediments, whlich emade it dilicu'l  to take furlther action.




TREATY O0     1783-SIMON     GIRTY.                  135
on the northwestern side of the river Ohio "-receiving            aid  and
counsel "' from Simon Girty,* Alexander McKee, Mathew              Elliott,
(the latter two the sub-agents in the      British  Indian   department),
and from   a number of British, French, and American traders who
generally resided among the Indians, and supplPied them         with arms
and ammunition, in exchange for furs and peltries."
It will here be proper to notice that although, at the definitive
treaty of 1783, between the colonial government of America and
Great Britain, it was declared in the seventh article of that document that the King; of the latter would,' with all convenient speed,
and without causing, any destruction, or carrying away any negroes
or property of thle American inhabitants, withdraw          all his forces
garrisons, and fleets, from the United States, and from       every   post,
place, and harbor, within the same,"t yet, at the time of Harmar's,
St. Clair's, andc Wayne's campaigns, the British Government still
held and garrisoned the posts of Nia;gara, Detroit, and MItichilmacinac; and( from atheQse points, under the plea that that part of the
treaty"  of 1783, relating to the collection and payment of all debtsll
theretofore contracted with and due to the King's subjects, had
not been faith'flly complied with by the Americans, much- to the
detriment of the former, the English Government persisted in hold*T:lis man seems to have been a noted character, trough most of the early struggles
in thenorth antd west, fiom D'nilore's war, in 1774, till after the war of 1812. He
was once adoote(d by  the Seneas, thye san, vear that he joined Lord Dunmore's campaign; but, snuisequntly allie I hiimse, 1to thoe Wyandotts, and long after led a rving, savage life amongo tlhe Indiains of,he northwest, usually leading them to battle,
or instigatsing them to deeds of ferocity against the America-ns, under British employ
or encounragmenat. He was of Irish descent, and said to have been the wildost and
most recllss of the family. He lhad three brothers —Tholas, Georg', anl James.
Ml's. Suttenfield' informed the writer that, she lealre I some time suqscquent to the arrival of herself and husband at thre Fort here, in 1814, that Simon and James Girty
had lived for somie time, prior to the war of 1812, near the bend of the Maumee, aboutt
two miles below Fort Wayne. At the capitulation of Detroit, in 1812, Mrs. S. and her
husband being there, saw Simon Girty, and described him as a short, heavy set, rough
looking character, witl grey hair. When ie had last visited Detroit, some years prior,
lie had caused his horse to jump off a considersable embankment into the river, and
then swam her over tlie sanme. "Here's old Simon Girty again on American soil i " le
exclaimed, as he approached a crowvd gathered. at a prominent point in the place, at
the time Mrs. S. and her hlnsband saw him at Detroit. " What did iou do with that,
black mare yoi jumped into thle river when WaVyne was after you?  enquired one of
the crowd. " 0 she's dead, and I buried her witl the honors of war," replied Girty.
Notwithstandin ng this peculiar' organization and the many utffortu;  n ate traits of cha Iracter ascriibed to himn, lhe is said to have poesessed sole redeeeming points —was strong
in his friendship towards those lie became attached(, anld, in miany respects, wtas some —
what honorable. He was often at the Miami village here, and c(oubtless had much to
do, at various times, with exciting the Indins to warvfae against the Americans,
against whom, with theIndians, he fouqght at St. Clair's defeat. Generally athred in
the Indian costume, it was of course difiicult to dist.inguish him, except whlen lie spoko
the Elglish lanlguge. He is said to have lived to the ao_'e of neair a hundred iyears,
and died in Canada, some years subsequnt to the war of I1812  Interestinlg accounts
of him will be found in  Anntals of thle West," begininnng o  page  281, and in the
" Amnerican Pioneer," beginning on page 282.
fLaws IT. S.. i, 205.                             $Article 4, U. S. Laws
[iSome of the States ha.d passed laws, soon, afte'r tle treeaty of 1783, tending to prevent
or restrain the collection of debta due from American citizens to t he King's subjects.




136              HISTOuR Op FORT WAYNE.
ing these posts, (more especially to retain the fur trade) and continued, from time to time, to give aid and comfort to the Indians
and others in open warfare and attacks upon th'e U. S. forces and
the settlements along the Ohio, and other points in the west.
With the advantages presented by the fur trade, carried on by
the English and Canadians, (the latter being then subjects of the
King of England) and withal not a little jealous of the United
States in her efforts to extend her dominion over the tribes and territory north of the Ohio, to relinquish her hold upon the country
and leave the tribes to the control and influence of the Americans,
were points not easily to be set aside by the British Government.
And accordingly, while Gen. St Clair was preparing to march upon the Miami village, at the junction of the St. Mary and St. Joseph, the English, at Niagara, Detroit, and Michilimacinac were
using what means they could to defeat the purposes of the United
States Government; and but a small insight as to their movements,
at that time, in league with the Indians and others, would doubtless have been sufficient to have convinced St. Clair and his officers
of the utter futility of any effort to capture the Miami village, or
establish a military post at this point, as then being pushed forward. But the effort seemed destined to be made; and after much
delay and many impeding and perplexing circumstances, in the
early part of the month of September, 1791, the main body of St.
Clair's army, under General Butler, took up its line of march from
the vicinity of Fort Washington, and, moving northward some
twenty-five miles, on the eastern bank of the Great Miami, erected
a post, which they called Fort Hamilton. On the 4th of October,
Fort Hamilton being completed, the army began its further march
for the Miami village. Having advanced forty-two miles from Fort
I-Iamnilton, they erected another garrison, calling it Fort Jefferson,
six miles south of Greenville, Ohio. The season was now far advanced; and the 24th of October had arrived before the army was
again on its move for the village.
After a march of nine days, during which time a number of the
militia deserted; heavy rains fell; provisions became short; a reconnoitering party from the main army, was fired upon, two killed,
and one supposed to have been taken prisoner; and St. Clair sick
much of the way, on the 3d of November the main army reached
the site of the present town of Fort Recovery, Ohio, and encamped,
at the head waters of the Wabash, in view of several small creeks,
about fifteen miles fiom the Miami village here.
The chill of winter now begun to be perceptibly felt-snow had
already fallen, and the earth was white therewith. Some Indians
were here seen, but they fled as soon as observed.
The advance and general movement of St. Clair was sufficiently
well known* to the confederated tribes and their allies to inspire,Ths news of St. Clair's inarch lupon the Miami villages having reached the Indians
luring the autumnn of 1791, the famous Shawanoes chief, Tecumseh, says the life of




ATTACK UPON THE ARMY OF ST. CLAIR.            137
them with great courage and determination, and had already begun a resort to strategem to draw the army into their clutches; and
had even advanced to within a few miles of the main body of the
army, where, under the lead of the famous Little Turtle, Buck-onga-helas, Blue Jacket, Simon Girty, and several other white men,
lay-in readiness to meet the advancing columns of St. Clair-some
twelve hundred warriors.
The army was now some fifteen miles from the Miami village.
With a view to a place of safety for the knapsacks of the soldiers,
St. Clair, with Major Ferguson, had, on the evening of the arrival
of the army at its present encampment, concluded "to throw up a
slight work," and then, with the regiment yet back, to move on to
attack the enemy. But neither were consummated; and before the
sun had sent his rays over the western wilds-between that hour
which the adage has accounted the darkest just before day, and
the full twilight of the morning-the Indian whoop and wild yell of
the enemy startled the army of St. Clair, already under arms, into
the wildest commotion, and at once began a furious attack upon
the militia, which soon gave way, and pell-mell, came rushing into
the midst of the camp, through Major Butler's battalion, creating
the wildest disorder on every side, and closely pursued by the Indians. "The fire, however, of the front line checked them; but almost instantly a very heavy attack began upon that line; and in a
few minutes it was extended to the second likewise. The great
weight of it was directed against the center of each, where the artillery was placed, ahd from which the men were repeatedly driven
with great slaughter."-   Soon perceiving but little effect from the
fire of the artillery, a bayonet charge was ordered, led by Lieut.Colonel Darke, which drove the Indians back some distance,! but,
for the want of sufficient force, they soon moved forward to the attack again, and the troops of Darke were, in turn, compelled to give
way; while, at the same time, the enemy had pushed their way
into camp by the left flank, and the troops there also were giving
way. Repeated and effectual charges were now made by Butler
and Clarke's battallions, but with great loss; many officers fell,
leaving the raw troops without direction-Major Butler himself being dangerously wounded. In the second regiment every officer
had fallen, except three, and one of these had been shot through
the body.
The " artillery being now silenced, and all the officers killed, except Captain Ford, who was very badly wounded and more than
*St. Clair's report.
that chief, was soon placed at the head of a small party of spies or scouts, with instructions to watch and report the advancement of St. Clair; and he is said to have done
his work most faithfully, for, while concealed near a small tributary of the Great Miami, he and his party saw St. Clair and his army pass on their way to Greenville.
Though prevented from taking part in the hostile movements that followed, yet, it is
evident that the efforts of Tecnmseh and his little band, whose report soon reached the
head chiefs in action against St. Clair, had much to do with the subsequent defeat and
rout of the army.




138              HISTorY OF F OT WAY-NE.
half of the army fallen, being cut off from the road, it became necessary to attempt the regaining of it, and to make a retreat, if possible. For this purpose the remains of the army were fdrmed, as
well as circumstances would admit, towards the rioht of the encampment, from which, by the way of the second line, another
charge was made upon the enemy, as if with the design to turn
theirright flank, but in fact to gain the road. This was effected,
and as soon as it was open, the militia took along it, followed by
the troops; Major Clarke, with his battalion covering the rear."'
Everything was now precipitate. The panic had assumed a terrible flight. The canmp and artillery were all abandoned-not a horse
was left alive to remove the cannon; and the soldiery threw away
their arms and accouterments as they ran, strewing the road for
miles with them. The retreat began about half-past nine o'clock,
and continued a distance of twenty-nine miles, to Fort Jefferson,
where they arrived soon after sunset, having lost thirty-nine officers,
killed, and five hundred and ninety-three men killed and missing;
twenty-two officers, and two hundred and forty-two men wounded;
with a loss to the public, in stores and other valuable property, to
the amount of some thirty-two thousand eight hundred and ten
dollars and seventy-five cents.t
The following were the names of the officers Ywho fell on this
muemorable occasion: Major-general Richard Butler, Lieutenantcolonel Oldham, of the Kentucky militia; M.lajors Ferguson, Clarke,
and Hart; Captains Bradford, Phelon, Kirkwood, Price, Van
Swearingnen, Tipton, Smith, Purdy, Piatt, Guthrie, Cribbs, and Newman; Lieutenants Spear, Warren, Boyd, McMath, Bead, Burgess,
Kelso, Little, Hopper, and Lickens; Ensigns Balch, Cobb, Chase,
Turner, Wilson, Brooks, Beatty, and Purdy; Quartermasters Reynolds and Ward; Adjutant Anderson; and Doctor Grasson. The
officers wounded w-ere:-Lieutenanlt-colonels Gibson, Darke, and
Sargent, (adjutant-general;) Major Butler; Captains Doyle, Trueman, Ford, Buchanan, Darke, and Hough; Lieutenants Greaton,
Davidson, De Butts, Price, Morg'an, McCroa, Lysle, and Thomson;
Ensign Bines; Adjutants Whisler and Crawford; and the Viscount
Malartie, volunteer aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief.
Mlany womenj:- had followed the army of St. Clair in its march
towards the Miami village, prefering to be with their husbands than
to remain behind, most of whom were destroyed; and "after the
flight of the remnant of the army, the Indians began to avenge
their own real and imaginary wrongs by perpetrating the most horrible acts of cruelty and brutality upon the bodies of the living and
dead Americans who fell into their hands. Believino that the whites,
for many years, made war merely to acquire land, the Indians
*'St. Clair's report.   fReport of Secretary of War, Dec. 11, 1792.
I History of Ohio," )b  Atwat.a'r, says 250; Dillon, ill his His. of Ind., says "more
than one hundred."




VAN CLEVE'S NARREATION OF ST. CLAImIS DEFEAT.          139
crammed clay and sand into the eyes and down the throats of the
dying and the dead.`"*
B. Van Cleve, who was in the quartermaster-general's department, of the army of St. Clair, says: j" On the fourth [of November]
at daybreak, I began to prepare for returning [to Fort Washington,]l and had got about half my luggage on my horse, when the
firing commenced.   We were encamped just within the lines, on
the right. The attack was made on the Kentucky militia. Almost
instantaneously, the small remnant of them    that escaped broke
through the line near us, and this line gave away. Followed by a
tremendous fire from  the enemy, they passed me. I threw       my
bridle over a stump, from which a tent pole had been cut, and followed a short distance, when finding the troops had halted, I returned and brought my'horse a little further. I was now between
the fires, and finding the troops giving away again, was obliged to
leave him a second time. As I quitted him he was shot down, and
I felt rather glad of it, as I concluded that now I shall be at liberty
to share in the engagement.    My inexperience prompted me to
calculate on our forces being far superior to any that the savages
could assemble, and that we should soon have the pleasure of driving them. Not more than five minutes had yet elapsed, when a
soldier near me had his arm swinging with a wound. I requested
his arms and accoutrements, as he was unable to use them, promising to return them to him, and commenced firing. The smoke was
settled down to within about three feet of the ground, but I generally put one knee to the ground and with a rest from behind a tree,
waited the appearance of an Indian's head from behind his cover,
or for one to run and change his position. Before I was convinced
of my mistaken calculations, the battle was half over and I had become familiaxrised to the scene.  Hearing the firing at one time
unusually brisk near the rear of the left wing, I crossed the encampment. Two levy officers were just ordering a charge. I had fired
away my ammunition and some of the bands of my musket had
flown off. I picked up another, and a cartridge box nearly full,
and pushed forward with about thirty others. The Indians ran to:Dillon's His. Ind., p. 283. From a letter to General St. Clair, dated Fort Washington, Felruary 13, 179, written by Capt. Robert Bunti, who had previously accompalied Gen. James Wilkinson with a small detachment of mounted men to the scene of
St. Clair's defeat, the following extract is made: " We left Fort Jefferson about nine
o'clock on the 31st (of January), with the volunteers, and arrived within eight miles of
the field of battle that evening, and next day we arrived at the ground about ten
o'clock. The scene was truly melancholy. In my opinion those unfortunate men who
fell into the enemy's hands, with life, were used with the greatest torture-having their
limbs torn off; and the women have been treated with the most indecent cruelty, having stakes as thick as a person's arm, drove through their bodies. The first, I observed
when burrying the dead; and the latter was discovered by Colonel Sarg:mt and Dr.
Brown." Pits being dug, all the bodies found were burried by the detachment under
Wilkinson. The Indians seldom if ever buried those they killed in battle, or otherw'1 i se.
TAs published from the manuscript of Van Cleve in the " American Pioneer," 1843.
fSays a not'e to this account; " He was in the qualrtermaster-general's service; so
that he' ftugh!th on his Own hook.'"




1410            HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
the right, where there was a small ravine filled with logs. I bent
my course after them, and on looking round, found I was with only
seven or eight men, the others having kept straight forward and
halted about thirty yards off. We halted also, and being so near
to where the savages lay concealed, the second fire from them left
me standing alone. My cover was a small sugar tree or beach,
scarcely large enough to hide me. I fired away all my ammunition; I am uncertain whether with any effect or not. I then looked
for the party near me, and saw them retreating and half way back
to the lines. I followed them, running my best, and was soon in.
By this time our artillery had been taken, I do not know whether
the first or second time, and our troops had just retaken it, and
were charging the enemy across the creek in front; and some person told me to look at an Indian running with one of our kegs of
powder, but I did not see him. There were about thirty of our
men and officers lying scalped around the pieces of artillery. It
appeared that the Indians had not been in a hurry, for their hair
was all skinned off."
"Daniel Bonham, a young man raised by my uncle and brought
up with me, and whom I regarded as a brother, had by this time
received a shot through his hips, and was unable to walk. I procured a horse and got him on. My uncle had received a ball near
his wrist that lodged near his elbow. The ground was literally
covered with dead and dying men, and the commander gave orders
to take the way-perhaps they had been given more explicitly.
Happening to see my uncle, he told me a retreat was ordered, and
that I must do the best I could, and take care of myself. Bonham
insisted that he had a better chance of escaping than I had, and
urged me to look to my own safety alone. I found the troops pressing
like a drove of bullocks to the right. I saw an officer, whom I took
to be lieut. Morgan, an aid to general Butler, with six or eight men,
start on a run a little to the left of where I was. I immediately ran
and fell in with them. In a short distance we were so suddenly
among the Indians, who were not apprised of our object, that they
opened to us, and ran to the right and left without firing. I think
about two hundred of our men passed through them before they
fired, except a chance shot. When we had proceeded about two
miles, most of those uounted had passed me. A boy had been
thrown or fell off a horse, and begged my assistance. I ran, pulling him along, about two miles further, until I had become nearly
exhausted. Of the last two horses in the rear, one carried two men,
and the other three. I made an exertion qnd threw him on behind
the two men. The Indians followed but about half a mile further.
The boy was thrown off sometime afterwards, but escaped and
got in safely. My friend Bonham I did not see on the retreat, but
understood he was thrown off about this place, and lay on the left
of the trace, where.he was found in the winter and was buried. I
took the cramp violently in my thighs, and could scarcely walk,




VTA  CLEVE'S NARRATION.              141
until I got within a hundred yards of the rear, where the Indians
were tomahawking the old and wounded men; and I stopped here
to tie my pocket handkerchief around a man's wounded knee. I
saw the Indians close in pursuit at this time, and for a moment my
spirits sunk, and I felt in despair for my safety. I considered
whether I should leave the road, or whether I was capable of any
further exertion. If I left the road, the Indians were in plain sight
and could easily overtake me. I threw the shoes off my feet and
the coolness of the ground seemed to revive me. I again began a
trot, and recollect that, when a bend in the road offered, and I got
before half a dozen persons, I thought it would occupy some time
for the enemy to massacre them, before my turn would come. By
the time I had got to Stillwater, about eleven miles, I had gained
the centre of the flying troops, and, like them, came to a walk. I
fell in with lieutenant Shaumburg, who, I think, was the only officer
of artillery that got away unhurt, with corporal Mott, and a woman
who was called red-headed Nance. The latter two were both crying. Mott was lamenting the loss of his wife, and Nance that of
an infant child. Shaumburg was nearly exhausted, and hung on
Mott's arm. I carried his fusee and accoutrements, and led Nance;
and in this sociable way we arrived at Fort Jefferson, a little after
sunset.
"The commander-in-chief had ordered Col. Darke to press forward to the convoys of provisions, and hurry them on to the army.
Major Truman, captain Sedan and my uncle were setting forward
with him. A number of soldiers, and packhorsemen on foot, and
myself among them, joined them. We came on a few miles, when
all, overcome with fatigue, agreed to a halt. Darius Curtus Orcutt,*'
a packhorse master, had stolen at Jefferson, one pocket full of flour
and the other full of beef. One of the men had a kettle, and one
Jacob Fowler and myself groped about in the dark, until we found
some water, where a tree had been blown out of root. We made a
kettle of soup, of which I got a small portion among the many. It
was then concluded, as there was a bend in the road a few miles
further on, that the Indians might undertake to intercept us there,
and we decamped and traveled about four or five miles further. I
had got a rifle and ammunition at Jefferson, from a wounded militiaman, an old acquaintance, to bring in. A sentinel was set, and
we laid down and slept, until the governor came up a few hours afterward. I think I never slept so profoundly. I could hardly get
awake after I was on my feet. On the day before the defeat, the
ground was covered with snow. The flats were now filled with water frozen over, the ice as thick as a knife-blade. I was worn out
with fatigue, with my feet knocked to pieces against the roots in
the night, and splashing through the ice without shoes. In the
*Orcuttt's packhorses were branded D. C. 0., and it was a standing joke, when any one
asked what the brand meant, to answer that D. C. stood for Darby Carey, and the round
0 for his wife, —Western Pioneer.




142               HISTORY OF FOET WAYNE.
morning we got to a camp of packhorsemnen, and amongst them  I
got a doughboy or water-dumpling, and proceeded. We got within
seven miles of Hamilton on this day, and arrived there soon on the
morning of the sixth."
The efforts against the Miami yillage were, for a time, at least,
brought to a close. A new order of things now became necessary,
if success was to be attained in any further movement towards this
point.




ECHAPTERE XII.'" Fill up life's little span.
With God-like deeds-it is. the testTest of the high-born soul,
And lofty aim;
The test in History's scroll
Of every honored nalne!
None but the brave shall win the goal."-HARvwEY Rl'o,.How Washinglton was effected by the defeat of St. Claitr-Frontier settlements exposed
to the ravages of the Indials-Appointment of General Wayne to the command'of the western army-Relief of the frontier settlements-Party spirit-Efforts of the goernmnent to form treaties with the Indians-General Wayne advances towards this point-Establishes his headquarters at Fort Greenville-Er-cts
a fortification on the site of St. Clair's defeat-Indians begin to be fearful of success —Send General Wayne a speech-Can't accept the terms of Wayne-They
still hope for British aid-The Spanish of the Lower Mississippi-Detachment
sent to Fort Massac-Fierce attack upon Fort Recovery —The army starts for the
Miami village-Erection of Fort Adams-Army reaches mouth of the Auglaize
and Maumee —Erection there of Fort Defiance-Wayne's report to the Seeetary of
War-Distrust of the Indians-Capt. William Wells and Little Turtle-Wells
quits the Miamies andjoins Wayne-Council of the tribes-Speech of Little Turtle'
— Movements of the army-Attack by the Indians -The wisdom of Little Turtle'-Anthony Shane's account of Tecumseh-Report of General Wayne —Return to
Fort Defiance —Destruction of corn-fields and villages —General Wayne and the
British commander at the Rapids of the Maumee-Repairs upon Fort DefianceArmymov; s again for the village here-Its arrival-Selection of the site for the
erection of a fort-Journal of the army-Completion of the fort-Lieut.- Col Hamtramck assumes command, and names it FORT WAYNE — Main body of the army,
under Wayne, starts for Fort Greenville-Glorious effect of Wayne's victory
throughout the country-Indians invited to hold a treaty of peace-effoits of the
British Indian agents-Agreeable adjustment of affairs with Great Britain-Indians dispirited thereby-They begin to visit Wayne at Greenville-Letters of
Col. Hamtramck-The treaty of Greenville-effecting address of Wayne-Great
rejoicing throughout the country-" Westward, ho "
HE       NEANWS of the defeat of Gen. St. Clair fell heavily upon
iDthe mind of Washington.          He had long looked upon the capycEg ture of this locality and the establishment here of formidable
K   fortifications with the highest degree of interest and concern;
G  and to learn of the defeat of an army like that under St. Clair-a defeat greater than that of Braddock in his movement against
Fort Du Quesne, in 1755 —was to 1be most severely            felt, by h.im




144                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
He had hoped for speedy relief to the sparse and greatly exposed
settlements of the west, and had relied largely upon General St.
Clair to carry his designs and those of the government to a successful termination; and while, in the main, Gen. St. Clair was but
little if any to blame for the terrible defeat that impeded his march
to the Miami village, yet Washington could but feel it most sorely,
His feelings are said suddenly to have overcome him; and though
most unlike the man of courage, hope, perseverance, and usual
calm, self-complacency, when told of St. Clair's ill success, his better feelings suddenly gave way to those of the most intense discomfiture. "It's all over!" he exclaimed; " St. Clair is defeated I
routed!" His private secretary, according to the account, was the
only one present, and he is said to have been " awed into breathless
silence by the appalling tones in which the torrent of invective
was poured forth by Washington. But his composure was as soon
restored, and new resolution as readily formed in the plastic mind
of the President.
The defeat of St. Clair's force was doubly embarrassing. Besides disappointing and perplexing the government, it had "'exposed the whole range of the frontier settlements on the Ohio to the
fury of the Indians," against which they made the best arrangements in their power for their own. defence; while the government
took measures for recruiting, as soon as possible, the Western army.
Among the military commandants of the time, General Wayne
was a great favorite with the people of the west, and he readily
received the appointment to the command of the western troops;
though "a factious opposition in Congress, at that time, to the miltary and financial plans of the administration, delayed the equipment of the army for nearly two years;" and thus, "while General
Wayne was preparing to penetrate the Indian country in the summer of 1794, the attention of the Indians was drawn to their own
defence, and the frontiers were relieved from their attacks."* Party
spirit now ran high. The west felt sorely agrieved, and every act
of the general government tending towards conciliation with the
British, who were charged with inciting the Indians on the frontier,
was lookedupon in the most disapprobative feeling; and while
General Wayne, from 1792 to August, 1793, was gathering his
forces for the renewal of efforts against the Indians of this point,
the government of the United States used strenuous efforts to establish treaties of peace and good-will among the tribes hostile to the
Americans in the nerthwestern territory, by sending out messengers with speeches. On the 7th of April, 1792, Brig.-General Wilkinson dispatched such messengers (Freeman and Gerrard) from
Fort Washington to the Indians on the Maumee;t but who were
captured, and being taken for spies, were murdered some where
near the rapids of this river; and the efforts of the government resulted in but little success, in so far as the direct desire for peace
*" American Pioneer," p. 206.    tDillon's His. Ind. pp. 287, 289,




WAYNE'S MOVEIMET FROM tFORT W'ASH-ING-TTON.        145
was concerned. The strong arm of war seemed the only means left
to bring the tribes to a true sense of regard for the government and
its real purposes towards the Indians of the wes;ern country. Thus
stood matters from the time of the last efforts of the United States,
on the part of its last commissioners to the Indians, (Benjamin
Lincoln, Beverley Randolph, and Timothy Pickering) in August,
1793, with some activity on the part of the Indians, and much hope
and anxiety on the part of the settlements of Marietta and other
points in the west, till Wayne had a.dvanced from his headquarters,
at; iHobson's Choice," near Fort Washington, on the 6th of October, 1793, to the southwest branch of the Great Miami, within six
miles of Fort Jefferson, and, about a month subsequently, established his headquarters at Fort Greenville,* which waas built by him
about the period of his arrival at that pioint. On the 23d of December, of this year, from this fort, he gave orders for tthe erection of
a fort on the site of St. Clair's defeat, in'91, and for that purpose
ordered Major Henry Burbeck, with eioght companies of inlflntry,
and a detachment of artillery, to proceed tothe (round, whither
the soldiers arrived, executed the order of Geeral Waynae, and the
rtifitication was appropriately called "Fort Rtecovery."  At tlis
bold procedure, the Indians began to exhibit signs of uneasine-is,
and soon sent General Wayne a " speech," desiring to present overtures of peace with the United States; but the termis presented by
Wayne were not then agreeable to the Indians, who had, about the
time of Wayne's proposition, much as in the case of the French, at
the time of the Pontiac struggle against the British, been led to hope
that early in the coming year ('94), Great Britain would render
them sufficient aid to enable them to expel and destroy the American settlers situated on the territory northwest of the Ohio.t
Matters now agitating the general mind, and, to a considerable
extent, calling away the attention of the Government, relative to a
proposed expedition against the Spaniards of the Lower M~ississippi,
and to oppose which, General Wayne was ordered by President
Washington to send a detachment to Fort'Massac, on the Ohio,
about eight miles below  the Tennessee river, there "'to erect a
strongo redoubt and blockhouse, with some suitable cannon from
Fort Washington," the expedition of Wayne remained in comparative quiet at the different posts, (Jefferson, Greenville, Recovery,
&c.,) till the morning of the 30th of June,'94 when lM Lajor
-.,Which formerly stood in the vicinity of what is now the town of Greenville, D;lnke
county, Ohio.'IFn February, 1791, Lord Dorchester, then Governor-general of Can'ida, at a council
of chiefs at Quebec, told the Indians "that; lie shuld not be surpi'ised if G reat B3ritalin
and the United States were at war in course of th. year." Hence their encouraeen'et,
in part, at least. It was about this period also that France was experiencing muct
trolble of a revolutionary natiure, and tha.t Genet, the French Minister ia this {on'. tiv,
had sought to raise a body of trno)ps. & c., to move acsiAnI st the Spaniards of Florid.a unll
Louisiana. Lord Dorchelter, doubtless infering that such 4 movement, aided by the
U'liited States, would soolln I)recilitat.e the two. O iin'les i.a into   a  war' again, was  mIol-t
probably led to eneourage thejndians by the remark quoted bbove. A proc1amation
was isu:'ed by WVaslhingCtoln -^failSt ti mslenr"t, Ml4icn, 1794.  (10)




146               HISTORY oF FoRT WATYNE
McMahon, commanding, with an escort of ninety riflemen and fifty
dragoons, was fiercely assailed by a body of some fifteen hundred
Indians "under the walls of Fort Recovery"' Assisted, as was
thought, by a "number of British agents and a few French Canadian volunteers," the Indians, during a period of about twenty-four hours, made several sallies upon this fort, but finding their
efforts unavailable, retired. The loss, however, to the garrison was
by no means trifling-twenty-two men being killed, and thirty
wounded, and three were missing; two hundred and twenty-one
horses were also killed, wounded and missing. The Indians having been engaged in carrying away their dead during the night,
but eight or ten of their warriors were found dead near the fort.
Mlajor McMahon, Captain Hartshorne, Lieutenrnt Craig, and Cornet Torry, fell on this occasion.
Major-General Scott, with some sixteen hundred mounted volunteers, having arrived at Fort Greenville, on the 26th of July ('94),
and j.oined the regulars under General Wayne, on the 28th of July?
the army began its march upon the Indian villages along the Maumaee. Un tIis march, some twenty-four miles to the north of Fort
Recovery, Wayne had built and garrisoned a small Post, which he
called Fort Adams, From this point, on the 4th of August, the
army moved toward the confluence of the Auglaize and lMauluee
rivers, where they arrived on the 8th of August. At this point,; a
strong stockade fort, with four goad stockhouses, by way of bastions," was soon concluded, whlich was called by Gen. Wayne Fort
Defiance. On the 14th of Aug&ust, General Wayne wrote as follows to the Secretary of W'ar " 1 have," said he, t the honor to inform vou thiat the army under my command took possession of
this very important post on the morning of the 8th instant-the enemy, on the preceding[ evening, having abandoned all their settlements, towns, and villages, with su1ch apparent marks of surprise
and precipitation, as to amount to a positive proof that our approtach was not discerned by them until the arrival of a Mr, New-,
man, ofi- the quartermaster-eneras. department, who deserted from
the army near the St. Mary's. *  *"  I had made such demlonstrations, forl a length of time previously to taking up our line of
march, as to induce the savages to expect our advance by the route
of the Miami villages, to the left, or toward Roche de Bout, by the
rightl.t-.which feints appear to have produced the desired effect, by
drawing the attentiou of the enemy to those points, and gave an
opening for the army to approach undiscovered by a devious, i. e.,
in a central direction, Thus, sir, we have gained possession of the
-rand emporium of the hostile Indian. of tlhe west, without loss of
blood.     "      Everything is now prepared for a forward
move to-morrow morning toward Roche de Boute, or foot of the
rapids.'     *  Yet I have thoughlt proper to offer the enemy
a last overture of peace; aid as they have everything that is dear
and interesting now at stake, I have reason to expect that they will




WAYNE'S ERFORTS FOR PEACE-WM. WELLS.         147
listen to the proposition mentioned in the enclosed copy of an address, dispatched yesterday by a special flag (Christopher Miller,)
vwho I sent under circumstances that will insure his safe return, and
which may eventually spare the effusion of much human blood.
But should war be their choice, that blood be upon their own heads.
America shall no longer be insulted with impunity. To an allpowerful and just God I therefore' commit myself and gallant
army."
In his address to the Indians, as dispatched by Miller  to the
Delewares, Shawanees, Miamis, and Wyandots, and to each and
every of them; and to all other nations of Indians northwest of the
Ohio, whom it may concern," said General Wayne: " BrothersBe no longer deceived or led astray by the false promises and language of the bad white men at the foot of the rapids: they have
neither the power nor inclination to protect you. No longer shut
your eyes to your true interest and happiness nor your ears to this
last overture of peace. But, in pity to your innocent women and
children, come and prevent the further effusion of your blood. Let
them experience the kindness and friendship of the United States of
America, and the invaluable blessings of peace and tranquility."
He urged them also —" each and every hostile tribe of Indians to
appoint deputies " to assemble without delay at the junction of the
Auglaize and foot of the rapids, " in order to settle the preliminaries of a lasting peace."' The answer brought by Miller on his return, on the 16th, was, "that if he (General Wayne) waited where
he was ten days, and then sent Miller for them, they would treat
with him; but that if he advanced, they would give him battle."
The slow movement of Wayne towards the -Miami village had
caused many of the Indians to feel no little distrust as to their ability to defeat the great chiefs of the Americans who was creeping
so cautiously upon their strongholds.
A man by the name of Wells, already referred to in a previous
chapter, who, at the age of twelve years, had been captured in Kentucky and adopted by the Miamies, and who had lived to manhood
and raised a family among them, just prior to the advance of the
army towards the rapids, began to feel a new awakening in his
mind. He had fought by the side of Little Turtle against both
llarmar and St. Clair; and it was said of him, that " afterwards, in
the times of calm reflection, with dim memories still of his childhood home, of brothers and playmates, he seemed to have been
harrowed with the thought that amongst the slain, by his own hand,
mlay have been his kindred." H-Xe had resolved to break his attachmert to the tribe, even to his wife and children. In this state
of mind, with much of the Indian characteristics, inviting the war
chief of the Minamies-Little Turtlel-to accompany him to a point
on the Maumec, about two miles east of Fort Wayne, at what was
long known as the"Big Elm" whither they at once repaired. Wells
*'ronil his great vigilelce, Waylne'was called by the India ns the Black Snke,




148                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
readily told the chief his purpose. "I now   leave your nation,"
said he, " for my own people. We have long been friends. We
are frieunds yet, until the sun reaches a certain height, (which was
mentioned). From that time we are enemies. Then if you wish to
kill me, you may. If I want to kill you, I may." NWhen the.time
indicated had come, Capt. \\ells crossed the river, and was soon
lost to the view of his old friend and chieftain, Little Turtle. Moving in an easterly course, with a view to striking the trail of Wayne's
forces, he was successful in obtaining an interview  with the General, and ever thereafter proved the fast friend of the Americans.:
The resolute movement of Wells was a severe blow upon the Miaaies. To Turtle's mind it seemed to have been an unmistakable
foreboding of sure and speedy defeat to the confederated tribes of
the northwest, as already referred to.
In accordance with previous arrangements, on the 15th of August, General Wayne moved with his forces towards the foot of the
rapids, and came to a halt a few miles above that point, on
the 18th, and, the next day began the erection of a temporary
garrison, more especially for the reception of stores, baggage, and
the better to reconnoitre the enemy's ground, which lay " behind a
thick, bushy wood, and the British fort."t  This post was called
".Fort Deposit."
The Miamies were now undecided as to the policy of attacking
General Wayne, notwithstanding the fact that they, with the aid of
other tribes, and througoh the influence of the British, had succeeded.
in defeating the former expeditions of Harmar and St. Clair. At a
general council of the confederated tribes, held on the 19th of August, Little Turtle was most earnest in his endeavors to pursuade a
peace with general Wayne. Said he, "we have beaten the enemy
twice under different commanders. We cannot expect the same
good fortune to attend us always. The Americans are now led by
a chief who never sleeps. The nights and the days are alike to him,
and duriing all the time that he has been marching on our villages,
notwithstarnding the watchfulness of our young men, we have never
been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something
whispers me, it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace."
But his words of wisdom were but little regarded.  One of the chiefs
of the council even went so far as to charge him with cowardice,
which he readily enough spurned, for there were none braver or
eAfter the arrival here of the army under Wayne, Wells was made captain of the
Spies, and settling at the Old Orchard," a short distance from the confluence of the
St.. Mary and St. Joseph, on the banks of a little stream there, afterwards called "Spy
Run,",alnd which still bears that name, the government subsequently grante(d him A.
mpre-emption of some three hundred and twenty acres of land thereabout, including his
improvement thereon, the old orchard, etc. Wells afterwlads, also became. by appointment of the Government, Indian Agent here, in which capacity he served for several years.
tThis fort, at the foot of the Rapids, called Fort Miami, was about seven miles from
Fort Deposit, and stood on the nortthwestern bank of the Maumee, near where MaumlLe
City now stands,




GE.NERAL WAYNE'S REPORT TO SECRETARY KNOX..149
more ready to act where victory was to be won or a defense required, than Little Turtle, and so, without further parley, the council broke up, and Turtle, at the head of his braves, took his stand to
meet and give battle to the advancing army.
At eight o'clock,' says Wayne, in his report to Secretary Knox,
on the 2th of Agst 179     o te of st 17  te moin  the 20th, the ar:ny
again advanced in columns, agr'eeably to the standing order of
march; the legion on the right, its flank covered by the Maumee:
one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, underBrigadier-eneral Todd, and the other in the rear, under Brigadier-general Barbee. A select battallion of mounted volunt.eers moved in front of
the legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep
sufficiently alvanced, so as to give timely notice for tke troops to
bfrm in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for peace or war.' After advancing' about five miles,7 continued the report, " Major Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy, who were
secreted in the woods and high grass, as to compel them to retreat.
The legion was immediately formed in two lines, principally in a
close, thickl wood, which extended for miles on our left, and for a
very considerable distance in front, the ground being covered with
old fallen timber, probably occasioned by a tornado, which rendered it impracticable for the cavalry to act with efiect, and afforded the enemy the most favorable covert for their mode of warfare.
The savages were formed in three lines, within supporting distance
of each, other, and extending for near two miles, at right angles with
the river. I soon discovered, from the weight of the fire and extent of their lines, that the enemy were in fu.l force in front, in possession of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to turn our Left
flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line to advance and
support the first; and directed Major-general Scott to gain and turn
the right flank of the savages, with the whole of the mounted volunteers, by a circuitous route; at the same time I ordered the front
lile to advance and charge with trailed arms, and rouse the Indians
from their coverts at the point,of the bayonet, and when up, to (deliver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, followed by a
brisk charge, so as not to give them time to load again.
I also ordered Captain Mis Campbell, who commanded the legionary cavalry, to turn the left flank of the enemy next the river,
and which afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in. All
these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude; but such
was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that
the Indians and Canadian militia and volunteers were drove from
all their coverts in so short a time, tha.t, although every possible exertion was used by the officers of the second line of the legion, and
by Generals Scott, Todd, and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers, to
gain their proper positions, but part of each could get up in seatsoCn
to participate in the action; the enemy being drove, in the course




1 )                 IISTrowr OF FOERT WA"YNE.
of one hour, more than two miles through the thick woods already
mentioned by less than one-half their numbers. From every account, the enemy amounted to two thousand combatants. The
troops actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred.*
This horde of savages, with their allies, abandoned themselves to
flight, and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving our victorious
army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which terminated under the influence of the guns of the British garrison."
The wisdom, foresight and valor of Little Turtle were now no
longer to be questioned. At the Indian council, on the night before the attack, he clearly saw the end of all their efforts against
the army of Wayne; and the Indians soon began to feel and realize
that their main hold upon the northwest was broken forever.
Though it is not positively known whether Tecumseh was at the
council or not, the night before the battle, yet it is authentically
recorded, in the life of this chief, in accordance with the following
account by Anthony Shane, that he led a party of Shawanoes in
the attack upon the army of General Wayne. And it was in this
engagement that he first encountered the white chief, Gen. Harrison, then a Lieutenant, with whom, a few years later, he had so much
dealing. Says the account of Shane: He occupied an advanced
position in the battle, and while attempting to load his rifle, he put
in a bullet before the powder, and was thus unable to use his gun.
Being at this moment pressed in front by some infantry, he fell
back with his party, till they met another detachment of Indians.
Tecumseh urged them to. stand fast and fight, saying if any one
would lend him a gun, he would show them how to use it. A fowling-piece was handed to him, with which he fought for some time,
till the Indians were again compelled to give ground. While falling back, he met another party of Shawanoes; and, although the
whites were pressing on them, he rallied the Indians, and induced
them to make a stand in a thicket. When the infantry pressed
close upon them, and had discharged their muskets into the bushes,
Tecumseh and his party returned the fire, and then retreated till
they had joined the main body of the-Indians below the rapids of
the Maumee.
As presented in the foregoing report, "' the bravery and conduct
of every officer belonging to the army, from the generals down to
the ensign," merited the " highest approbation. There were, however, some," says Wayne, "whose rank and situation placed their
conduct in a very conspicuous point of view, and which I observed
with pleasure, and the most lively gratitude. Among whom, I
must beg leave to mention Brigadier-general Wilkilson, and (ol.
*-The exact number of Indians engaged in this action, against-Wayne's army has
never been ascertained. There were, however, about 450 Delawares, 175 Miamies, 275
Shawanees, 225 Ottawas,275 Wyandotts, and a small number of Senecas, Pottawattamies, and Chippewas. The number of white men who fought in defense of the Indians
in this engagement, was about seventy, including a corps of volunteers from Detroit,
under the command of Captain Caldwell.-His. Ind.




WAYNE'S VICTORY AT THE RAPIDS-KILLED, WOUNDED, &C. 151
Hamtramck, the commandants of the right and left wings of the
legion, whose brave example inspired the troops. To those I
must add," said he, " the names of my faithful and gallant aids-decamp, Captain De Butt and T. Lewis; and Lieutenant Harrison,
who, with the adjutant-general, Major M~ills, rendered the most essential service by communicating my orders in every direction, and
by their conduct and bravery exciting the troops to press for victory. Lieutenant Covington, upon whom the command of the cavalry now devolved, cut down two savages with his own hand; and
Lieutenant Webb one, in turning the enemy's left flank. The
\wounds received by Captains Slough and Prior, and Lieutenant
Campbell Smith, an extra aid-de-camp to Generalt Wilkinson, of the
legionary infantry, and Captain Van Rensselear, of the dragoons,
Captain Rawlins, Lieutenant McKenny, and Ensign Duncan, of the
mounted volunteers, bear honorable testimony of their bravery and
conduct.
" Captains H. Lewis and Brock, with their companies of light
infantry, had to sustain.an unequal fire for some time, which they
supported with fortitude. In fact, every officer and soldier, who
had an opportunity to come into action, displayed that true bravery
which will always ensure success. And here permit me to declare,
that I never discovered more true spirit and anxlety for action, than
appeared to pervade the whole of the mounted volunteers and I
am well persuaded that, had the enemy maintained their favorite
ground for one-half hour longer, they would have most severely
felt the prowess of that corps. But, while I pay this tribute to the
living, I must not neglect the gallant dead, among whom we have
to lament the early death of those worthy and brave officers, Captain Mis Campbell, of the dragoons, and Lieutenant Towles, of the
light infantry, of the legion, who fell in the first charge."
Of the killed and wounded, in this engag.ement, according to the
report of General Wayne, the regular troops, lost twenty-six killed,
and eighty-seven wounded. Of the Kentucky volunteers, seven
were killed and thirteen were wouhded; and nine regulars and two
volunteers died of their wQunds before the 28th of tle month. The
loss of the enemy was more than twice that of the army under
Wayne; and " the woods were strewn for a considerable distance
with the dead bodies of Indians."
Wayne's victory was now complete. It was short and decisive;
and after remaining "three days and nights on the banks of the
Maunmee, in front of the field of battle, during which time all the
houses and cornfields (of the enemy) were consumed and destroyed
for a considerable distance both above and below Fort Miami, as
well as within pistol shot of the garrison, who were compelled to
remain tacit spectators to this general devastation and conflagration; among which were the houses, stores, and property of Colonel McKee, the British Indian agent, and principal stimulator of
the war now existing between the United States and the sav



15 2                H-1ISTOrRl OF FORT WAYNE.
ages,"'* on the 27t1h, the army started upon its return ma.rch for
Fort Defiance, laying waste, as it moved, villages and cornfields fbr
a distance of some fifty miles along the Maumee.
It will be proper here to mention, that while the American forces
occupied their position within range of the British fortt at the rapids, from. the afternoon of the 20th to the forenoon of the 23d, five
letters passed between the British commander (Major Campbell)
and General Wayne; the first coming from. the British commandant, enquiring the cause of the army of the United States approaching so near his majesty's fort-that he knew " of no war existing
between Great Britainl and America," etc. To which Gen. Wayne
replied: " Without questioning the authority or the propriety, sir,
of your interrogatory, I think I may, without breach of decorum,
observe to you, tat,a, were you entitled to an answer, the most full
-and satisfactory one awps announced to you fromn the muzzles of my
small arms, yesterday morning, in the action against the horde of
savages in the vicinity of your post, which terminated gloriously to
the American arms; but, had it continued until the Indians, etc.,
were drivon under the influence of the post and guns you mention,
they would not have much impeded the progress of the victorious,
army under my command, as no such post was established at the
commencement of the present war between the Indians and the
United States." To which, in turn, the British commandant, having
taken the rejoinder of Wayne as an insult to the British flag, threatened to open his batteries upon the American forces, should they
continue to approach his post "in the threatening manner: they
were then doing, etc. Wayne's reply was this time to the effect
that he also knew of no w ar then existing between Great Britain and
America-r eminding him of the definitive treaty of 1783-showing
himr that Great Britain was then and there maintaininig a post beyolnd the limits and stipulations of that treaty; and ordering him to
retire peacefully within the limits of the British lines. To which.
the British commanldant replied that he certainly would. not abandon the post at the summnons of any power whatever, until he received, orders to that efcect from  those. he had the honor to serve
under, or the fortunes of war should oblige him so to act; and still
firmly adhered to Ihis previous proposition, or threaC. And thus
the contlroversy ended.
Reaching ir ort Defiance a gain, the army soon bepgan repaiirs upon
the fort, in order to render it the more substantial in its general
structure;.and here the army remained till the morning of the 14th
of September, 1794, when " the legion began their march for the
MlAiani village," (this point) whither they arrived at 5 o'clock,
P.'., on the 17th of September, and on the following day, the
4.'S'ayne's report.
i-.At the period of Wayhne's engagement near the rapids, there were about 250 regulars and 210 militia in this fort, with "four nine-pounlers, two large howitzers, and
six six-pounlders mounited in the il.t, and two w sivels." —American State papers.




JOURNAL OF WAYNE's CAMPAIGN.                      153
troops fortified their camps, while " the commandli-er-iin-chief reconnoitered the ground and determined.on the spot to build a garrison.'
The history of events, from. the time of the arrival of Wayne and
his army at the Miami village, on the afternoon of the l7th, to the
completion of the fort, will be partially seen, at least, from   the following dates at the Miami village, asipresented in the dailyjournal
of Wayne's campaign:
Camp Miami Villayges, 18/tA Sep. 179!4. —            Four deserters from
the British crame to us this day; they bring the information that the Iudlians are encamped 8 miles below the 3Bitishl io. t tho te rnumber of 1600.
20th Sep. —Ltst night it rained violently iatnd the winrd blew from the N. W. harder
thlan I!knes heretofoe.  en. BGe. Arbe, with his c irmmandlr atried in camp about 9
o'clock this morn'ing with 553 kegs of flour, etch containing 100 pounds.
23dSep.-V-'otur deserters front ihe iJ'rr.ish rgarLrison arrived aLt our camp; they
ulmeantion thltt the 11uditan, arc still enb(odiedfion the Miami, 9 miles below the Brfiish
fort; that they are somewhat divided in opinion, some are for peace and others for
Wt.s'4th Sep.- This day tlhework commenced on he garrison, which T a1m atpprehen —
sive will take some tiime to complete it. A keg of whisky containing ten gallons,
wa.,s purchased this day for eighty dollars, a sheep for ten dollars: thrlee dollars was
offered for one pint of salt., but it could not be obtained for less than six.
25th Sep.-Lieutenant Blue, of the dragoons, was this (day arrested by ensign
Johnson, of tile 4th S. L., but a number of their friends interfering, the dispute was
settled upon lieutenanlt Blue asking Johnson's pardon.
26th Sep.-i'Clelanld, one of our spies, with a smanll party came in this evening
fromn Fort Defiance, who brings information that the eneny are troublesome about
the garrison, tanl that they have killed some of our men under the walls of the fort.
Sixteen Indians were seen to-day Inear this place; a small party went in pursuit. of'
them. I have not heard wha,t discoveries they h.Ave made.
30th S',. —;Salt and whisky were drawn by the troops this day, and a number of
the soldisry became much intoxicated, they having stolen a quantity of liquor fromt
the quarterminster.
4th Oc'.-hl:is tlmorting we had the hardest frost I ever saw in the middle of December, it was like a  small snow; there was ice in our camp.kettlecs? of arn inch
thick; the fatigues go on with velocity, considering the rations the troops are obliged
to live on.
6th Oct.-The weather extremely cold, and hal'd frosts, t'le wiind N. W.; every
thing quiet and nothing but harmony antd peace throughout the camp, whiclhis something uncommiot1.
6th Oct.-Plenty and quietness the same tas yesterday; the volunteers etngarred to
work on the garrison, for which they:are to receive three gills of whisky per man per
day; their emrployment is digging the ditch and filling up the parapet.
StA/ Oct.-The troops drew but half rations of flour this day. The cavalry and
other horses die very fast, not less than four or five per day.
9th Oct. - The volunteers have agreed to build a block-house in front of the garrison.
11th Oct.-A Canadian (Rlozelie) with a flng arrived this eveninig  his business
was to deliver up three mrisoners in exchange for his brother, who was taken on the
20(th August; lie brinzs infortmnation that the Indians are in contcil with Girty and
M'Kee near the fort of Detroit, that all the tribes are fur peace except the Shawanees. who are determined to prosecute the wvar.
iGth Oct.-Nothitg new, weather wet, and cold, wind from  N. W. The troops
hea'thby in general.
17t i Oct.-This day Captain Gibson arrived with a large quantity of flour, beef,
and. sheep.
19th Oct.-This day the troops were not ordered f.orlabor, being the firdst daL y for
four weeks, and accordingly tttended divine service.'Ddlily journal Wayue's campaign.




154                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
20th Oct.-An express arrived this day with dispatches to the commander-inchief; th.e contents are kept. secret.
A court-ma.rtial to sit this day fop the trial of Charrles Hyde.
21st Oct. —This day were read the proceedings of a general court martial, held on
lieutenant Charles Hyde, (yesterday) was found not guilty of the charges exhibited
against him, and was there ore acquitted.
On the morning of the 22d. of October, 1794, the garrison was
in readiness, and Lieutenant-colonel I-amtramck assumed command of the Post, with the following sub-legions: Captain Kingsbury's 1st; Captain Greaton's 2d; Captains Sparrk's and Reed's 8d;
Captain Preston's 4th; and Captain Porter's of artillery; and after
firing fifteen rounds of cannon, Colonel Hamtramck gave it the
name of FORT WAYNE.
And here was the starting-point of a new era in civilization in
the great northwest!
On the 28th of October, having completed his work at the point
now bearing his name, General Wayne, vwith the main body of the
regulars, took up his line of march for Fort Greenville, arriving at
that point on the 2d of November.
Early in September the news of Wayne's victory had spread over
a large part of the country, and operated most favorably for the
government. It not only removed the dissatisfaction to which the
great delays attending the campaign had given rise, but it was the
best possible illustration of the benefits to be derived from the protection of the general government, which had been greatly underrated. As a permanent peace with the Indians was now considered certain, this increased the desire for tranquility at home. And
the troubles which, but a short period before, had threatened to involve the government in much trouble, through the desire of Genet
and his followers to move upon the Spaniards of the Lower Alississippi, began greatly to dispirit the insurgents; and by the first
of October, ('94) tranquility and good order were in a great measure restored throughout the country.*
After the close of the engagement of the 20t.h of August, Wayne
continued to invite the Indians to a friendly meeting, with a view
to permanent peace between the tribes and the United States. But
the Indians, for some time, seemed to be balancing between a desire still for the overthrow of the Americans and the hope of " effectual support from the British," on the one hand, and the fear of ultimate defeat on the other,let their own stiength or aid from the English
be as formidable as it might; and while Wayne was inviting them to
meet him at Greenville to conclude a treaty with him there, "Lieutenant-general Simcoe, Col. MicKee, and other officers of the British
Indian department, persuaded Little Turtle, Blue Jacket, Buck-onga-helas, and other distinguished chiefs, to agree to hold an Indian
council at the mouth of Detroit river.'"t
The troubles with England, which had, but a few months before,
threatened to break out into warfare again, were now, througlh the
* American Pioneer,                       tDillon's His' Ind.




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LETTERS ou COL. HAIMTIAMICK.                   155
wisdom of Washington, in a great measure, and the admirable efforts of John Jay, as envoy extraordinary from this country to the
court of St. James, amicably adjusted in the conclusion of" a treaty
of amity, commerce, and navigation, between the United States
and Great Britain,"   This treaty was concluded on the 19th of November; and one of its main stipulations was that of a withdrawal,
"on or before the first day of June, 1796, all (of the Kings) troops
and garrisons, from all posts and places within the boundry lines
assigned to the United States by the treaty of peace of 1783."
The news of this treaty having reached       America, the Indians
soon felt their last hope of aid from the English fading away, and
began seriously to think of peace; and during the months of December and January, 1794-5, small parties of Miamies, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies, Sacs, Delawares, and Shawanoes began to
visit General Wayne at his headquarters at Greenville, signing respectively, preliminary articles of peace, and agreeing " to meet
Wayne at Greenville on or about the 15th of June, 1795, with all
the sachems and war-chiefs of their nations," with a view of arranging a final treaty of peace and amity between the United States and
the Indians of the northwestern territory.
During the period that elapsed between the departure (28th of
October,) of Wayne for Fort Greenville from the newly completed
garrison bearing his name here, until the 17th of May 1796, Col.
Hamtramck remained in command at Fort Wayne; and though
nothing of a very important nature transpired during that time, yet
there is much of interest to be gathered from the many letters* of
Col. H., written from the fort here, and addressed to generals Wayne
and Wilkinson.
On the 5th December,'94, he wrote to Gen. Wayne:
" It is with a great degree of mortification that I am obliged to inform your excellency of the great propensity many of the soldiers have to larceny. I have
flogged them till I am tired. The economic allowance of one hundred lashes, allowed by government, does not appear a sufficient induccment for a rascal to act
the part of an honest man. I have now a number in confinement and in irons for
having stolen four quarters of beef on the night of the 3rd instant.. I could wish
them to be tried by a general court-martial, in order to make an example of some
of them. 1 shall keep them confined until the pleasure of your excellency is known."
".Fort Wayne, December 29, 1794.
" SIn-Yesterday a number of chiefs of the Chippeways, Ottawas, sacks, and
Pottawattaamies arrived here with the two Lassells.t It appears that the Shawanees, Delawares, and Miamies remain still under the influence of McKee; but Lassell thinks they will be compelled to come into the measures of the other Indians.
After the chiefs have rested a day or two, I will send them to head-quarters "
" Fort Weayne, December 29, 1794.
SIR-Since my last letter to your excellency of the present date, two war-chiefs
have arrived from the Miami nation, and inform me that their nation will be here
in a few days, fron whence they will proceed to Greenville. They also bring intelligence of the remaining tribes of savages acceding to the prevalent wish for peace,
and collecting for the purpose the chiefs of their nations, who, it is expected, will
make their appearance at this post about the same time the Miamiesmay come forward,"
*Published from the manuscript of Col Hamtramck in the "American Pioneer, 1843.
tJacques and Antoine Lasselle.                   VJacques Lasselle




1 5G 6                hISTOls' RY O.! FOriT WAY'-E.
" Decemtber i3, 1795' The issues ro the Indians would be very inconsiderable this winter, if it was
not forabout ninety old women and children with some very old men, whlo live near
us and have no other rmode of subsisting but. by garrison. I have repeatedly tried
to get clear of them, but without success.
( Ja2nuar 13, 17i!6.''About ninety old women and childr en have been victualled by the,garrison. I
have, yesterday, given them five days' provision.,,ni  told them it wvns tlhe la"'t
they should have until spring. I w:i.s obliged to do so because, from calcuilation, I
have no more flour thqln will last me until spring. But., sir, if other sn pplies could
be got by land, I consider it politic to feed these poor creatures, who will suffer very
nmuch for want of subsistence."
[ To General 1lUcinsoo'] i" Ma, ch 28, 17.6.
"I< am out of wampum. I will be very much obliged to you to send nme soime, for
speaking to an Indian without it is like consulting a lawyer without a fee."
[To General Wilkinson ]' April 5, 1796.
L Little Turtle arrived yesterdaLy, to,whom I delivered your message,  -1s answer
was, to present. his contmpiments to you, that le was very glad of the invitation, as
he wished very much to see general Wilkinson, but it was impossible for him to go
to Greenville at present, as he had ordered all his youn n men to repair to a rendezvouz, in order, when assembled, to chose a place for their permnanent rsidence; that,
as soon as that object shall be accomplished, he would go to see you, which, he said,
would be by the time he hears form you again."
[To General Wilkinson.]         "April 18, 1796.
"The bearer is captain Blue Jacket, wiso, at. your request, is now going to Greenville. Blue Jacket is used to good comnpany anlJ is always treated with mrore attention thanr other Indians. He appears to be very well disposed, and I believe him
sincere."
True to their promise, in the early part of June, 1795, deputations from the different tribes of the northwest beoan to arrive at
Greenville with a view to the consummation of the treaty         already
referred to.   This treaty, which was one of much interest throughout, lasted fiom the 16th of June, to the 10th of August, (1795)
many of the principal chiefs making strong speeches, and each nation openly and separately assenting to the articles and stipulations
of the treaty.  At the conclusion of his speech to deputies on        the
10th of August, at the termination of the treaty, General Waytne
addressed the assemblage as follows: " I now fervently pray to the
Great Spirit, that the peace now     established   may be permanent,
and that it may hold us together in the bonds of friendship, until
time shall be no more.     I also pray that the Great Spirit above mayl
enlighten your minds, and open your eyes to your true happiness,
that your children may learn to cultivate the earth, and enjoy the
fruits of peace and industry.     As it is probable, my children, that
we shall not soon meet again in public council, I take this opportunity of bidding you all an affectionate farewell, and wishing you a
safie and happy return to your respective homes and families.      "
A  general feeling of rejoicing soon pervaded the country at the
hatppy termination of this treaty; i and it was as pleasing and accep*, The boundry lines established at this treaty, between the northwestern Indians
and the U. S., secured to the Indians all the territory within the present limits of the
State of Indiana, excepting, First:-One tract of land, six miles squarn, at the confluence of the St. MItry and St. Joeph, rivers. Secondly:-One tract of land, two
miles square, on the Wabash river, at the end of the portage, fronm the head of the river
Mauinee, and about eight miles westward from Fort Wayne.''hirdly:-One tract of
land, six miles Square, at Ouiatcnon, or the old Wea tovon on the river Wab-ash.




BEGIXNI'NG OF A NEW ERA IN THE GREAT WEST.               157
table to the Government, as it was agreeable to the Indians. With
these pacific relations came the cry of " WESTWARD, I-O 1) and soon
a tide of emigration began     to  set in fiom   the eastern States,
many selecting sites along the Ohio, the Sciota, and Muskingum
rivers; and others again selected ancd began settlements along the
fertile regions lying between the two Miami rivers, and at other
points westward.    And thus had begun a new life and a new freedom in the wide domain of the northwest.
Fourthly:-The tract of one hundred and fifty thousand acres, near the falls of the
Ohio; which tract was called the " Illinois Grant," or "Clark's Grant." Fifthly:The town of Vincennes, on the river Wabash, and the adjacent lands to which the
Indian title had been extinguished; and all similar lands, at other places, in possession
oftile Fenlch people, or other white settlers amolng them. And, sixthly:-The strip of
land lying east of aline running directly from the site of Fort Recovery, so as to intersect the liiver Ohio ab a point opposite to the mouth of the Kentucky river.
*     d, ^SS$...




CHAPTER XIII.
<' All along the winding river
And adown the shady glkn,
On the hill and in the valley,"
The voice of war resounds again.
Emigration westeward-The Shawanoes Prophet-Enactments of laws-Treaty betWeen
the U S. and Spainl-Efforts to dissolve the Union'-Col. Hamtramck leaves Foir
Wayne-British evacuate Fort Miami-Death of General Wayne —General Wilkinson assumes command of the western forces-Movements of Baron Carondelet
-Failure of the Spanish and French scheme —Treaty of peace with France —cession of Louisiana to Frantce-Cession of same to the TJ. S.-Legislative session at Cincinnati-Wtn. Henry Harrison chosenL representative in Congress-Division of territory-Harrison appointed Governor-Principal events from 1800 to I 810-Efforts
of Governor Harrison to induce the Indians to engage in agricultural pursuitsExtinguishmentof Indian claims-Treaty at Fort Wayne in t10t3 —Peaeeable relations between the Indians and the U. S.-Beginning of new troubles-Short
account of the Shawanoes-Indians put to death by order of the Prophet-Speech
of Gov. Harrison-Capt. Wm. Wells, Indian agent here-Sends a message to Tecumseh by Anthony Shane —Shane's reception-Tecumselh's reply —Wells refuses
to comply with Tecumseh's request-Shane again sent to Tecumseh —Second reply of Tecumseh —Indians continue to assemble at Greenville-Many about Fort
Wayne —-Great alarm of the settlers —Governor of Ohio sends a deputation to
Greenville-Address of the commissioner, —Speech of Blue Jacket-Tecunmseh and
others return with the commissioners-Further alarm —A  lhite man killed-Militia called out-Investigation of the murder-Settlers still uneasy-Speech of
Gov. Harrison —Protestations of the Prophet-He removes to Tippecanoe-Warlike sports begun —Settlers again alarmed-The Prophet visits Gov. Harrison-Hig
Speech —Harrison tests him-Secret movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet —
Many of their followers leave them —Militia organized-Alarm subsides-Treaty
of Fort Wayne, 18t09-Further movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet —Gov.
Harrison' prepares for the safety of the frontier.
HE TIDE of emigration westward, that had begun soon after
the treaty of Greenville, steadily       continued for a number of
-cyears, and the peace of the country was not materially           interi rupted till some time during the year 1810, when the famlous
Shawanoe Prophet, Ells-kwata-wa, through            a singular   and
somewhat powerful influence, began to exert a wide control over
many tribes of the northwest, thus creating much alarm         among the
western settlements, which, in turn, much impeded           the influx of
emigrants to the Indiana Territory.
The most important events that transpired from           1795 to 1810,




TREATY BETWEEN THE UL S. AND SPAIN.        159
were the meeting of Governor St.Clair,with John Cleves Symmes and
George Turner, the latter as judges of the northwestern territory,
Cincinnati, May 29th, 1795, wherein they adopted and made thirtyeight laws for the better regulation and government of the territory.
On the 27th of October of this year ('95) a treaty of "' friendship,
limits, and navigation, between the United States of America and
the King of Spain," was concluded, at the court of Spain, between
Thos. Pinckney, envoy extraordianary of the United States, and the
Duke of Alcudia, which extended from the southern boundry of the
I. S. to " the northernmost post of the thirty-first degree of latitude
north of the equator," which was to extend "' due east to the middle of the river Apalachicola or Catahoucha, thence along' the
middle thereof, to its junction with the Flint; thence straight to the
head of St. Mary's river, and thence down the middle thereof, to the
Atlantic Ocean;" and was ratified on the 3d of March, I796.
In July of 1796, the French Executive Directory, because of this
treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the United
States and Spain, charged the American government with " a breach
of friendship and abandonment of neutrality, and a violation of tacit
engagements;" and during 1796 and 1797, as in keeping with a
similar spirit exhibited in 1795, before the Spanish garrisons on the
eastern side of the Mississipppi were surrendered to the United
States, strong efforts were made, on the part of French and Spanish
agents, to persuade the inhabitants of the western country to
Withdraw their connection from the American Union, and, with
those governments, to form a separate and independent government,
extending westward from the Allegheny Mountains,  But the inducements were of no avail, and the scheme failed.
Before the end of July, (1796) the English had withdrawn
from all "the posts within the boundry of the United States northwest of the Ohio; " and about the 17th of May of this year, Colonel
Hamtramck had left Fort'Wayne, passing down the Maumee to
Fort Deposit, where the famous engagement of Wayne had but a
few months before occured, and on the 1lth of July the British
fort, Miami, at the foot of the rapids, was evacuated, Capt. Moses
Porter soon taking command. On the 13th of July, Colonel I-amtramck took possession of the Post at Detroit.
In December of this year,'96, General Wayne died, and General.
James Wilkinson was put in command of the western army of the
United States, and a small detachmlent still continued at Fort
Wayne.
In the month of June 1797, some feeling still existing on the part
of Spain as well as France, the two governments being somewhat
allied in their motives against the United States, the governor of
Louisiana (Baron de Carondelet) sent a request to General Wilkinson to delay the movement of the United States troops that were to
occupy the posts on the Mississippi river until such time as the adjustments of certain questions then pending between the American




1 60              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
and Spanish governments could be adjusted. But the true object
of Carondelet, through his agent (Thomas Power,) seems to have
been only to ascertain the true feeling of the western people regarding a dissolution of the Union. Power having passed through the
western territory as far as Detroit, in the month of August,'97
he met General Wilkinson, and explained the object of his mission,
which the general readily concluded to be "' a chimerical project,
which it was impossible to execute, that the inhabitants of the western states, havincr obtained by treaty all they desired, would not
wish to form any other political or commercial alliance." Because
of these intrigues on the part of Spain, and the conduct of France,
in December, 1796,; in refusing to receive Mlinister Mlonroe, at
Paris, on the ground of complaints already mentioned, relative to
the treaty with Spain, and because of the depredation of French
vessels against American commerce, the United States government,
during 1798, impelled the latter to adopt and enforce strenuous
measures of retaliation; the first of which was that of' an act authorizing the President of the U. S. to raise a provisional army."
The second, "to suspend the commercial intercourse between the
U. S. and France and the dependencies thereof." The third, " to
authorize the defense of the merchant vessels of the U. S. against
French depredations;" and fourth, an act concerning alien enemies."
The Spaniads had hoped for aid, by vway of Canada, from the
English, in 1798. But they were doomed to disappointment, and
having reluctantly evacuated the posts on the Mississippi during the
summer of 1798, in the:fall of that year Gen. Wilkinson moved
down that river and took up his headquarters at Loftus' Heights,
where he soon erected Fort Adams. In September of this year,
France having exhibited a desire for peaceable relations with the
United States, subsequent negotiations were had at Paris, and on
the 30th of September, 1800, a " treaty of peace and commerce"
was consummated between the United States and France.
In October of this year, (1800), by the conclusion of a treaty at
St. Ildefonso, Spain retroceded to France the province of Louisiana,
embracing the original lines of territory as when before held by
France; and under Jefferson's administration, three years later,
(30th of April, 1803,) the French government " sold and ceded.
Louisiana, in its greatest extent, to the United States, for a sum.
about equal to fifteen millions of dollars."
On the 23d of April, 1798, a legislative session was convened at
Cincinnati, which closed on the 7th of May, same year, Winthrop
Sargent, actino governor, and John Cleves Symmes. Joseph Gilman, and Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., territorial judges. On the
29th of October of this year, Gov. St. Clair issued a proclamatior,
x It was in September of this year that Washington, then soon to vacate the Pres:dential chair for John Adams, who, that year, was elected President, and Thomas
Jeffe son vice President of the United States, islmed his fervent and ever memorable
FARnirEmt ADDilTS 5.




DIVISION OF THE INORTHWESTERN TERRITORY.      161
directiny the qualified voters of the' Northwestern Territory to
hold elections in their respective counties on the third Monday of
December," with a view to electing representatives to a general assembly, to convene at Cincinnati on the 22d of January, 1799. The
representatives having met at the appointed place, in compliance
with the ordinance of 1787, for the establishment of legislative
councils, ten persons were chosen as nominees, and their names
forwarded to the President of the United States, who, on the second
of March, 1799, selected therefiom, the names of Jacob Burnett,
James Findlay, Henry Vanderburgh, Robert Oliver, and David
Vance, as suitable persons to form the legislative council of the territory of the United States, lying northwest of the Ohio river, which
names were, on the following day, confirmed by the U. S. Senate.
This body.metat Cincinnati on the 16th day of September, and
vwere fully organized on the 25th of that month, 1799, of which
Henry Vanderburgh was elected President, and William C. Schenl,
Secretary. The following counties were represented: Hamilton,
Ross, Wayne, Adams, Knox, Jefferson, and Washington; sending
nineteen memberS.
On the third of October, of tllis year, the names of two candidates (Wn. I-I. HIrrison and Arthur St. Clair, Jr.,) to represent the
Northwestern Territory in Congress, being presented to that body,
Harrison was chosen-the one receiving eleven votes, and the other
ten.In 1800, a division of the territory northwest of the Ohio river
having occurred, on the 13th of May of that year, Wm. Henry
Harrison was appointed governor of the Indiana Territory. The seat,
of government for the Territory was established at Vincennes, where,
with the judge of the same, the governor met on Monday, 12th of
January, 1801, with a view of adopting and issuing "I such laws as
the exegencies of the times" might call for, and likewise for the' performance of other acts conformable to the ordinances and laws
of Congress (1787) for the government of the Telritory."
From the period of the formnation of the new territory t6 1810,
the principal subjects of attention and interest to the people therein,
were land speculations, the adjustment of land titles, the question
of negro slavery, the purchase of Indian lands by treaties, the organization of territorial legislatures, the extension of the right of
suffiage, the division of the Indiana Territory, the movements of
Aaron Burr, and the hostile views and proceedings of the Shawanoe chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, the Prophet."t
With a view'to peace and good-will between the United States
and the Indians of the northwest, through certain laws and regulations of the government, Gov. Harrison, at an early period of his
administration, made efforts to induce the different tribes to engage
in agricultural and other pursuits of a civilized nature, to the end
that they might be more agreeably situated and live more in har- Dillon's His. Ind., page 392,  tIhid, page  4}9  (1i1)




162               HIsTORY OR FORT \WAYNE.
nlony with the advancing civilization of the time. Being also invested with powers authorizing him to negotiate treaties between
the U. S. government and the different tribes of the Indiana Territory, and also to extinguish, by such treaties, the Indian title to
lands situate within the said territory. Between the forepart of 1802
and 1805, the governor was most actively employed in the discharge
of these duties.
On the 17th day of September, 1802, at a conference held at
Vincennes, certain chiefs and head men of the Pottawattamie, Eel
River, Piankeshaw, Wea, Kaskaskia, and Kickapoo tribes appointed the Miami chiefs, Little Turtle and Richardville, and also
the Pottawattamie chiefs, Wine-mac and To-pin-e-pik to adjust, by
treaty, the extinguishment of certain Indian claims to lands on the
Wabash, near Vincennes. And on the 7th of June, the year following, \(1803,) Gov. Harrison held a treaty at Fort Wayne, with
certain chiefs and head men of the Delaware, Shawanoe, Pottawattamie, Eel River, Kickapoo, Piankeshaw, and Kaskaskia tribes,
wherein was ceded to the United States about one million six hundred thousand acres of land.*
For a period of sixteen years, subsequent to the treaty of Greenville, (1795 to 1811) agreeable relations were maintained, by the U.
S., between the Miamies and some other tribes represented at that
famous treaty. During this time the Indians seemed mainly to
have betaken themselves to the forest and priaries in pursuit of
game; and the result was that a considerable traffic was steadily
"carried on with the Indians, by fur-traders of Fort Wayne, and
Vincennes, and at different small trading posts which were established on the borders of the Wabash river and its tributaries. The
furs and peltries which were obtained from the Indians, were generally transported to Detroit. ItThe skins were dried, compressed,
and secured in packs. Each pack weighed about one hundred
pounds. A pirogue, or boat, that was sufficiently large to carry
forty packs, required the labor of four men to manage it on its voyage. In favorable stages of the Wabash river, such a vessel, under
the management of skillful boatmen, was propelled fifteen or twenty
miles a day, against the current. After ascending the river Wabash and the Little River to the portage near Fort Wayne, the traders carried their packs over the portage, to the head of the river
Maumee, where they were again placed in pirogues, or in keelboats, to be transportated to Detroit. At this place the furs and
skins were exchanged for blankets, guns, knives, powder, bullets,t
intoxicating liquors, etc., with which the traders returned to their
several posts. According to the records of the customhouse at Quebec, the value of the furs and peltries exported from Canada, in the
year 1786, was estimated at the sum of two hundred and twentyfive thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven pounds sterling."
* Dillon's His. Ind.
+The bullets, which were made to fit the gun's in use among the Indians, were valued
at four dollars per hundred. Powder, at one dollar per pint.




TIE SHIAWANOES.                  163
But the volcanic fire of revolution had already begun its upheavel.. The past had witnessed many periodical struggles in the
new world, and the hour for another was near at hand. The Indians
of the northwest, for the most part, began to grow restive. The game
of the forest had now long been hunted and killed for their hides,
fur, and meat, while many of the traders had grown wealthy upon
the profits yielded therefrom. The life of the hunter seemed too
monotinous for the Indian, and he sought, as at other periods, and,
in many relations, for good reasons, as he had thought, to change it
for one of war; and as the larger fish of the ocean are said to devour the lesser ones, so it would seem that, by continued irritation,
brought on through the efforts of both the white and red man, Civilization, with its strange and active impulse, was at length destined
to supplant the early and endearing homes and soil of the red
children of the northwest with new and more advanced human and
physical relations.
As the reader has already seen, the Shawanoes played a conspicuous part at various times during the early efforts of the English
and Americans to gain possession of the western frontier. Col.
Bouquet's expedition was directed mainly against them, at wlich
time they dwelt principally about the Sciota river, some miles to
the southeast of the Miami villages.
Not unlike most Indian tribes, the origin of the Shawanoes is enveloped in much obscurity. Many tribes, it is true, can be traced
back for many centuries; but beyond that, all is conjecture or so
wrapped in legendary*accounts, that it is most difficult indeed to
trace them further.
The Lenni-Lenape, or Delawares, have long received the first
claim to attention as an active and war-like branch of the Algonquin
family; but the Shawanoes are evidently, in so far, at least,, as their
chiefs and the spirit of war is concerned, entitled to a first consideration, while the Miamies, evidently, were early the superiors, in
many essential respects, of most of the Algonquin tribes of the
northwest.
The French knew the Shawanoes as the Chaouanous, and were
often called the Massawomees. The famous Iroquois called them
the Satanas; and the name was often spelt Shawanees, Shawaneus,
Sawanos, Shawanos, and Shawanoes. The latter style of spelling
the name is the one adopted in these pages.
Mr. Jefferson, in his" Notes on Virginia," speaks of a savage
warfare between several tribes, one of which was the Shawanoe,
at the p'eriod of Capt. John Smiths's advent in America. In 1632,
by another historian, the Shawanoes were dwelling upon one of the
banks of the Delaware; and it is variously conceded that this tribe
participated in the treaty with Wm. Penn, in 1682. Accounts agree
that "they were a jmarauding, adventurous tribe," while "their
numerous wanderings and appearances in different parts of the
continent, almost place research at defiance." To become elm



164              HIISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
broiled with neighboring tribes, wherever they dwelt, seems to have
been their fate; and to save themselves from utter destruction as a
tribe, it is told that they had more than once been obliged to fly
for other and more secure parts of the country.
Parkman is of opinion that the Five Nations (Iroquois) overcame
them about the year 1672, and that a large portion of them sought
safety in the Carolinas and Florida; where they soon again became involved in trouble, and the Mobilians sought to exterminate
them.. Returning northward, with others, they settled in what is
now the Ohio valley. Gallatin, who is well versed in the aboriginal tongues, is of opinion that this tribe was of the Lenni-Lenape
branch of the Algonquin family, and thinks that their dispersion
took place about 1732. The Suwanee river, in the southern part
of the United States, takes its name from this tribe, whither they
had wandered before settling in the northwest. Says Heckwelder,
referring to this tribe before their settlement upon the Ohio, they
" sent messengers to their elder brother, the Mohicans, requesting
them to intercede forthem with their grandfather, the Lenni-Lenape,
to take them under his protection. This the Mohicans willingly
did, and even sent a body of their own people to conduct their
younger brother into the country of the Delawares. The. Shawanoes, finding themselves safe under the protection of their grandfather, did not choose to proceed to the eastward, but many of
them remained on the Ohio, some of whom settled as far up that
riv r'is the Long Island, above which the French afterward built
Fort Duquesne, )n the spot where Pittsburgh now stands. Those
who proceeded i rther, were accompanied by their chief, Gaech1
gawatschiqua, and settled principally at'and about'the forks of the
Delaware, betwe.n that and the confluence of the Delaware and
Schuylkill rivers; and some, even on the spot where Philadelphia
r nw stands; others were conducted by the Mohicans into their own
country, where they intermarried with them and became one people. When those who settled near the Delaware had multiplied,
they returned to Wyoming, on the Susquehanna, where they resided
for a great number of years."
In 1754, during the French and English war, the Shawanoes took
part with the French. The Wyoming branch, through the efforts
of the missionary Zingendorf, through this period, remained quiet,
taking no part in' the struggle. A few years later, however, a trivial
dispute having arisen between this tribe and the Delawares as to
the possession of a grasshopper, a bloody conflict ensued between
them, wherein about one-half of the Shawanoe warriors were destroyed, while the remainder removed to the Ohio, where they
dwelt for several years, during all the period of those desolating
struggles of the early frontier settlements, referred to in former
chapters, during fhe latter part of the past and the first of the present century. In lw.hat is. now the State of Ohio, they had many considerable towns. Tecuimseh  as born at one of these, known as




A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE SHAWANOES.         165
Piqua, which stands upon Mad River, a few miles below Springfield. This villagle was destroyed by the Kentuckians, under Clark,
in 1780.
Alter their defeat by Col. Bouquet, in 1764, and the treaty of Sir
Wl'illianm Johnson, they soon became embroiled in a difficulty with
the Cherokees, maintaining the struggle until 1768, when they
w;ere forced to sue for peace. Remaining comparatively quiet for
several years, but little is known of them, of a war-like nature, until 1774, soon after the breaking out of the " Danmore War." But
for the results that brought them into this struggle, it is said the
Shawanoes were in no wise responsible. A report having gained
credence among the whites that the Indians had stolen several of
their horses, a couple of Shawanoes were taken and put to death by
them, without knowing whether they were the guilty ones or
not; and on the same day, the whites fired upon and killed several
of the Shawanoes, the latter returning the fire and severely wounding one of the whites. Cresap also killed the famous Logan family
about this period. An old Delaware sachem, known as "(Bald
Eagle," for many years the friend of the whites, was murdered, and
the famous chief of the Shawanoes, one much beloved by that tribe,
known as " Silver Heels," was fatally wounded, while returning in
a canoe from Albafy, where he had accompanied some white traders seeking safety. When found by his friends, "Bald Eagle"
was floating in his canoe, in an upright position, and scalped. The
Indians were now exasperated to a high degree; Logan, at the merciless death of his wife and children,-and a sanguinary  w:':- was
the result. It was in the month of October of thb' year in question
that occured the famous battle of Point Pleasant, in which Colonel
Lewis was killed, with some fifty odd other white men, with about
a hundred wounded. The Indians were defeated'but the defeat was
dearly bought.
After this, the Shawanoes allied themselves to the English,,rd
became the implacable foe of the colonists in the struggle for Independence; and even after peace was declared, in 1783, they refused to be friendly, and continued to wage war upon the whites,
obstinately opposing the advancing army to the west. Several
small expeditions were sent against them after the revolution, which
they strongly opposed-Clark's, in 1780 and 1782; Logan's in 1786;
Edward's in 1787; Todd's in 1788; and the reader is already familiar with their efforts, combined with other tribes, against the expeditions of Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne.
In the spring of 180M, Captain Thomas Herrod, living a short
distance from Chilicothe,: was murdered and scalped near his own
house. A party of hunters coming upon the body, recognized it,
and, from the appearance, were convinced that it had been done
by Indians. The treaty of Greenville up to this time had suffered
no violation, and the settlers now believed hostilities were ab6ut to
commence. Who committed this deed has never been ascertained,




166              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
but there was strong suspicions among the immediate.neighbors
against a white man who had been a rival candidate with Herrod
for a captaincy in the Ohio militia. There being no tangible evidence against the man, he was allowed to remain unmolested, while
those who suspected the Indians most cowardly retaliated upon
them. The account of the death, as if borne on the wings of the
wind, spread with great rapidity all over the Sciota valley, and the
excitement and alarm produced among the citizens was most intense. Whole families, from five to fifteen miles apart, flocked together for purposes of self-defense. In some places block-houses
were run up, and preparations for war made in every direction.
The citizens of Chilicothe, though in the center of population, collected together for the purpose of fortifying the town. The inhabitants living on the north fork of Paint Creek were all collected at
Old Town, now Frankfort, and among others was David Wolf, an
old hunter, a man of wealth and some influence. lie had settled
on the north fork, twenty miles above Old Town. After remaining
in the town several days, he employed two men, Williams and Ferguson, to go with him to his farm, with the view of examining into
the condition of his stock. When they had proceeded about six
miles, and were passing across a prairie, they saw an Indian approaching them in the distance, andwalking in the same path over
which they were traveling. On a nearer approach, it was found to
be the Shawanoe chief, Waw-wil-a-way, the old and faithful hunter of
General Massie during his surveying tours, and an unwavering
frienA of the white men. He was a sober, brave, intelligent man,
well known to most of the settlers in the country, and beloved by
all for his frank and generous demeanor. IHe had a wife and two
sons, who were also much respected by their white neighbors
where they resided, near the falls of Paint Creek.
Waw-wil-a-way was frequently engaged in taking wild game and
skins to Old Town, for the purpose of exchanging them for such
articles as he needed. He had left home this morning on foot with
his gun, for the purpose of visiting Frankfort, and meeting the company named, he approached them in that frank and friendly manner which always characterized his intercourse with his white brethren. After shaking hands with them most cordially, he inquired
of the health of each and their families. The salutation being over,
Wolf asked him to trade guns with him, and the chief assenting,
an exchange was made for the purpose of examining previous to
concluding the bargain. While this was going on, Wolf, being on
horseback, unperceived by WAaw-wil-a-way, opened the pan, and
threw out the priming, and, handing it back, said he believed he
would not trade with him.
Wolf and Williams then dismounted, and asked the chief whether
the Indians had commenced war. He replied: "No, no! the Indians and white men are now all one, all brothers."




ENCOUNTER BETWEEN WAW-WIL-A-WAY AMD WOLF.      167
Wolf then asked whether he had heard that the Indians had
killed Captain Herrod.
The chief, much surprised at the intelligence, replied that he had
not heard it, and seemed to doubt its correctness. Wolf affirmed
that it was true. Waw-wvil-a-way remarked that perhaps some bad
white man had done it, and after a few more words, the parties
separated, each going his own way.
The chief had walked about ten steps, when Wolf, taking deliberate aim, shot him through the body. Waw-wil-a-way did not
fall, although he felt his wound was mortal, nor did he consent to
die as most men would have done under similar circumstances.
Bringing his unerring rifle to his shoulder, he leveled it at Williams, who, in his efforts to keep his horse between himself and the
Indian, so frightened him that his body was exposed, and when
the rifle was discharged, he dropped dead near his animal. Rendered desperate by his wounds, the Indian then clubbed his gun,
and dealing Wolf a fearful blow, brought him to the earth. Recovering, and being strong and active, he closed upon the Indian, and
made an effort to seize him by the long tuft of hair on the crown of
his head. A shawl was tied around the Indian's head in the form
of a turban, and this being seized by Wolf, instead of the hair, he
gave a violent jerk for the purpose of bringing him to the ground.
The shawl gave way, and Wolf fell upon his back. At this, the Indian drew his scalping-knife, and made a thrust. at Wolf, who, seeing his danger, and throwing up his feet to ward off the blow, received the blade of the knife in his thigh. In the scuffle the handle
broke off, and left the blade fast in the wound. At the same time,
Wolf made a stroke at the Indian, the blade of his knife entering
the breast-bone. Just then Ferguson came to Wolf's assistance;
but the Indian, taking up Wolf's gun, struck him on the head a terrible blow, and brought him to the ground, laying bare his skull
from the crown to the ear. Here the sanguinary conflict ended, and
it all occurred in less time then it has taken the reader to peruse
this account of it.
When the deadly strife ended, the foes of Waw-wil-a-way were
all lying at his feet, and had he been able to follow up his blows,
he would have dispatched them, for they were completely within
his power. But his strength failed him, and perhaps his sight, for
he must have been in the agonies of death during the whole conflict. It may be that the poor Indian relented, and that forgiveness
played like sunshine around his generous heart. He cast one
glance upon his fallen foes; then turning away, he walked out into
the grass, and fell upon his face amid the wild-flowers of the prairie,
where his heart at once and forever was still.
During the entire engagement he never spoke a word. Silently
he acted his part in the fearful drama, as though moved by an invisible agency. The course of Wolf and his comrades was most
unwise indeed, and should never have been encouraged by any one.




168              HIISTORYn OF FORT WNAYNE.:
They first attempted to disarm him by throwing the priming out of
his gun, and then talking with him and parting under the mask of
friendship. I-lad Wolf and his companionls supposed him to be accessory to the death of Herrod in any way, he would have gone
with them cheerfully to Old Town or Chilicothe, and given himself
up to an investigation. But Wolf was determined on murder, and
the blood of Waw-wil-a-way rests upon his head.'*
Williams, when found, was stone dead, but Ferguson and Wolf
subsequently recovered. The surgeon who examined Waw-wil-away stated that every one of his wounds was mortal, and those of
the two whites were so severe that it was many months-and they
underwent great suffering' —before they were themselves again.
This occurrence added fuel to the excitement. The Indians fled
in one direction and the whites in another, each party undecided
what course to pursue.. Several of the prominent citizens of Chilicothe went into the Indian country, where they found Tecumseh
and a number of his people. These disavowed all connection with
the murder of Herrod, and affirmed that it was their intention to
remain true to the Greenville treaty. To quell the apprehension,
Tecumseh returned with the deputation to give them personal assurance of his intentions. The people were called together, and
through an interpreter, Tecumseh delivered a speech of which
a listener said: " When he rose to speak, as he cast his gaze over
the vast multitude, which the interesting occasion had drawn together, he appeared one of the most dignified men I ever beheld.
While this orator of nature was speaking, the vast crowd preserved
the most profound silence. From the confident manner in which
he spoke of the intention of the Indians to adhere to the treaty of
Greenville, and live in peace and friendship with their white brethren, he dispelled, as if by magic, the apprehensions of the whitesthe settlers returned to their deserted farms, and business generally
was resumed throughout that region." As Drake remarks, the
declaration of no other Indian would have dissipated the fears of a
border man which then pervaded the settlement.t
The maternal history of the Prophet and Tecumseh is, that their
mother gave birth, alout 1770, to three children at one time, who
were subsequently named Tecumseh (meaning a couger croauc/inqy
for his prey); Ellskwatawa, (an open door); and Rumskaka. The
latter seems, however, never to have created any special attention
among the tribes. During the early period of the life of the Prophet
(Ellskwatawa), he is said to have given himself up almost wholly
to a life of intoxication; and it was not until about 1804 that he began to abandon his old habit of drunkenness. A sudden change
then came over him. One day, in his wigwam, while lighting his
pipe, the account runs, he fell back in a trance upon his bed, and
continued a long time motionless, and without any signs of life."
Supposing him to be dead, his friends immediately began to preJ J. B. Finley.           +tLife of Tecumseh, by Edward S. Ellis.




ACCOUNT OF ELSKWATAWA, THE PROPHET.         169
pare for his burial. Agreeably to Indian custom, the head men of
the tribe at once gathered about the body, and were in the act of
removing it, when, to their great' astonishment, Ellskwatawa, (the
Prophet) suddenly awoke, and began to address those about him as
follows: "Be not alarmed," said he; "I have seen heaven. Call
the tribe together, that I may reveal to them the whole of my vision." His request was readily complied with, and he at once began
to speak. He said " two beautiful young men had been sent from
Heaven by the Great Spirit,"'who spoke to him thus: "The Great
Spirit is angry with you, and will destroy all the red men, unless
you abandon drunkenness, lying, and stealing, If you will not do
this, and turn yourselves to him, you shall never enter the beautiful
place which we will now show you." Whereupon, he affirmed, he
was " conducted to the gates of Heaven," and saw " all the gloriesj
but was not permitted to enter. Thus viewing the beauties of the
other world, without being permitted to enter, he was told to return
to the earth again, and acquaint the Indians with what he had seen,
and to persuade them to repent of their vices, saying that then
"they would visit him again." After this, Ellskawatawa assumed
the powers and title of " Prophet," establishing himself at Greenville, near the point where General Wayne had held the famous
treaty with the tribes in 1795; and so famous did he become, that
"immense throngs of men, women, and children from the tribes on
the Upper Mississippi, and Lake Superior" visited him, and " the
most extravagant tales were told and believed by the Indians of
his power to perfom miracles." Indeed, "no fatigue or suffering
was considered too great to be endured for a sight of him." Like
the famous Delaware Prophet, at the period of Pontiac's movements, he proclaimed that "the Great Spirit who had made the red
men, was not the same that made the white men;" and urged that
the misfortunes of the Indians were owing to their having abandoned their old modes of living, and adopted many of the customs
and usages of the pale faces, in the use of their guns, blankets,
whisky, etc.-all of which must be thrown away, and the red men
again return to their primitive customsj clothing themselves in
skins, etc. -Ils followers were now numerous, and the frontier settlements gradually became alarmed at his movements and' those of
his brother, Tecumseh.In 1805, the Shawanoes had wandered from their old hunting
grounds and places of abode, and an effort was then made to bring
the tribe together again. Tecumseh and his party had settled upon
White river, and others of the tribe had begun to settle upon another tributary stream of the Wabash. Tecumseh and some others
of the Shawanoes, from different points, having some time in
1805, started for the Auglaize towns, met at Greenville, the site of
the old Wayne treaty ground, and there finding his brother, Ellskwatawa, the Prophet, Tecumseh and the other party, through the per" "Famous Indians," pages 255, 256, and 257.




170                HISTORY oF FORT WAYNE.
suasions of the Prophet, concluded to proceed no farther, and at
once began to establish themselves at the old treaty ground of
Greenville.
H-ere, says Drake, the Prophet commenced. the practice of those
sorceries and incantations by which he gained such notoriety. In
the autumn, he assembled a large number of Shawanoes, Delawares,'Wyandotts, Pottawattamies, Ottawas, Kickapoos, Chippewas and
Senecas, upon the Auglaize river, where he made known to them
the sacred character he had taken upon himself. Hle harangued
them at considerable length, denouncing, it is said, the belief and
practice of witchcraft common among them, and declaiming against
drunkenness with great eloquence and success. HIe advocated
many practices which were really virtuous, and ended by affirming
with great solemity that power was given him by the Great Spirit,
to cure all diseases, to confound his enemies, and to stay the arm of
death, in sickness, or on the battle-field.*
These assertions of the Prophet had great weight with the people
-and so much confidence was placed in him, that he did not hesitate to put to death those who in the least disputed his peculiar
claims. His plan, when he desired the death of any one, was
to denounce him as guilty of witchcraft, and then to call in the help
of others in putting him out of the way. Several prominent men
of the tribe, who were unfortunate enough to possess more common
sense then the others, were put to torture. Among these was a well
known Delaware chief, named Teteboxti, who calmly assisted in
making his own funeral pile. Others of his family were doomed to
death, and the sacrifices at last grew so numerous that Governor
H-arrison sent a special messenger to the Delawares with the following speech:
" MY CHILDREN:-My heart is filled with grief, and my eyes are
dissolved in tears, at the news which has reached me. You have
been celebrated for your wisdom above all the tribes of red people
who inhabit this great island. Your fame as warriors has extended
to the remotest nations, and.tlie wisdom of your chiefs has gained
for you the appellation of gracndcfatheers from all the neighboring
tribes. From what cause, then, does it proceed, that you have departed from the wise counsel of your fathers, and covered yourselves with guilt? My children, tread back the steps you have
taken, ard endeavor to regain the straight road which you have
abandoned. The dark, crooked and thorny one which you are now
pursuing, will certainly lead to endless woe and misery. But who
is this pretended prophet, who dares to speak in the name of the
Great Creator? Examine him. Is he more wise or virtuous than
you are yourselves, that he should be selected to convey to you the
orders of your God? Demand of him some proofs at least, of his
being the messenger of the Deity. If God has really employed
him, he has doubtless authorized him to perform miracles, that he
# Drale.




ADDRESS OF Gov. EIAERRISON.           171
may be known and received as a prophet. If he is really a prophet,
ask of him to cause the sun to stand still-the moon to alter its
course-the rivers to cease to flow-or the dead to rise from their
graves. If he does these things, you may then believe that he has
been sent from God. HIe tells you the Great Spirit commands you
to punish with death those who deal in magic; and that he is authorized to point such out. Wretched delusion 1 Is then the Master of Life obliged to employ mortal man to punish those who offend him? Has he not the thunder and all the powers of nature at
his command?-and could he not sweep away from the earth a
whole nation with one motion of his arm? My children, do not believe that the great and good Creator of mankind has directed you
to destroy your own flesh; and do not doubt but that. if you pursue
this abominable wickedness, his vengeance will overtake and crush
you.' The above is addressed to you in the name of the Seventeen
Fires.* I now speak to you from myself, as a friend who wishes
nothing more sincerely than to see you prosperous and happy.
Clear your eyes,.1 beseech you, from the mist which surrounds
them. No longer be imposed upon by the arts of an impostor.
Drive him from your town, and let peace and harmony once more
prevail among you. Let your poor old men and women sleep in
quietness, and banish from their minds the dreadful idea of being
burnt alive by their own friends and countrymen. I charge you to
stop your bloody career; and, if you value the friendship of your
great father, the President-if you wish to preserve the good opinion of the Seventeen Fires, let me hear by the return of the bearer,
that you have determined to follow my advice."
The effect of this speech was very great, both with the Delawares
and the Shawanoes, for the governor was a man much beloved by
the Indians of the northwest. For a time the influence of the prophet
was greatly checked, though the Kickapoos, with some smaller
tribes, who were stillinclined to acknowledge and encourage the
claims of the prophet, put the greatest trust in him. And it was
about this period, that a Wyandott chief, from Lower Sandusky, a
Christian preacher, licensed by the Methodist denomination, visited
the Prophet, with a view of gaining some clue as to his noted power.
After a year's sojourn with him, the Wyandott chief, returned to
his people, fully persuaded that the Prophet was an impostor.
Hearing, sometime before its occurrence, that an eclipse of the
sun was to take place at a certain time, during the year 1806, the
Prophet announced to his people that, on a certain day, the sun
would hide his face, and the earth be veiled in darkness for a time.
Coming to pass, as he had told them, the occurrence of this phenomenon had the effect to greatly strengthen his influence again
over the tribes. Nothing of special note,' however, occurred until
the spring of 1807, when it was made known that Tecumseh and
* The seventeen States then composing the Union.




17 2              HSlTORY OF FOIUT WAYNE.
his brother, the rrophet, had assembled several hunldred of their
people at Greenville, where, through their harangues, they had
succeeded in working them up to the highest state of excitemnent
with a view to make their control the stronger, and to prepare the
way for a confederacy of the Indian tribes of the northwest. At
these demonstrations, the people of the west became alarmed, and
soon began to make strenuous efforts to ascertain the meaning of
such movementi on the part of Tecumseh and the Prophet, but
without success for a time.
Some time sulsequent to the capture of this point by Wayne and
the treaty of Greenville, Capt. Wells, with whom the reader is already acquainted, as having bid his old friend, Little Turtle, good
bye, and left his old home here to join Wayne's army, then on its
march thitherwarcl, received the appointment by the government
as Indian agent here, in which capacity he acted for several years
after.
HIavingc received a letter from the President, through the Secretary of War, addressed to the Indians, and reminding them that
they were assembled within the government purchase, and desiring
them to remove to some other point, where the government would
render them all the aid they needed in settling anew upon territory
not held by the government, Captain Wells sent one'Anthony
Shane, a half-breed Shawahoe, with a message to Tecumseh, inviting the latter, with his brother and tw;o other chiefs, to visit him at
Fort Wayne.
Shane had long been intimately acquainted with the Shawanoes,
and they of course knew him well, but seem not to have regarded
Shane very highly. Having made known the substance of the
communication, Shane was met by Tecumseh with this reply: " Go.
back," said he,' to Fort Wayne, and tell Captain Wells that my
fire is kindled on the spot appointed by the Great Spirit alone; and
if he has anything to communicate to me, 7e must come here; and
I shall expect him six days from. this time.'"
But Wells did not comply with Tecumseh's request. IHe sent
Shane again, instead, at the appointed time, with the letter of the
President, through the Secretary of War, which was readily communicated to Tecumseh, who was by no means pleased that Wells
himself had not complied with his desire in waiting upon him in
person. Having delivered an eloquent and glowing speech to the
council, lie told Shane to return to Captain Wells and. tell him he
would hold no further communication with him; and farther, that if
the'President of the Seventeen Fires had anything else to say to
him, he must send it by a man of more importance than Shane.
And thus, instead of dispersing, the Indians continued to assemble
at Greenville. Fully fifteen hundred had passed and repassed Fort
Wayne, in theirvisits to the'rophet, before the summer of this
year (1807) had fairly set in. Messengers and runners passed from
tribe to tribe, and were greatly aided by British agents in carrying




COMMISSIONERS SNIiT TO GREENVILLE.      173
out their plans, which were always carefully concealed from such
as were kno-wn to be lfiendly to the United States.
At the close of summer, reliable witnesses bore testimony that
about a thousand Indians, in possession of new rifles, were at Fort
Wayne and Greenville, all under the control of the Prophet.
The alarm had now become so general, that the governor of
Ohio, in the month of September, sent a deputation to Greenville to
ascertain the'meaning7 of the movement. Arriving at Greenville,
the commissioners were well received by the Indians-a council
was called, and the governor's message read to the assemblage;
at the close of which, one of the commissioners addressed them in
explanation of their relationship to the United States government,
urging them to desist from all aggressions and ciemain neutral,
should a war with England ensue. Having heard the commissioner attentively, according to Indian usage, they asked to be permitted to meditate uporn the matter until the next day. In the
meantime the famou~s chief, Blue Jacket, had been appointed to
deliver to the commissioners the sentiments of the council; and at
its re-assembling, Blue Jacket, through the interpreter, said:
"B BRETHI-EN:-We are seated who heard you yesterday. You
will get a true relation, so far as our connections can give it, who
are as follows: Sha wnees, Wyandots, Pottawatamies, Tawas, Chippewas; Winnepaus, lMalorninese, Malockese, Lecawgoes, and one
more from the north of the Chippewas. Brethren, you see all these
men sitting before you, who now speak to you.
" About eleven days ago we had a council, at which the tribe of
Wyandots, (the elder brother of the red people) spoke and said
God had kindled a fire, and all sat around it. In this council we
talked over the treaties with the French and the Americans. The
Wyandot said, the French formerly marked a line along the Alleghany mountains, southerly, to Charleston, (S. C.) No man was to
pass it from either side. When.the Americans came to settle over
the line, the English told the Indians to unite and drive off the
French, until the war came on between the British and the Americans, when it was told them that king George, by his officers, directed them to unite and drive the Americans back.
" After the treaty of peace between the English and the Americans, the summer before Wayne's army came out, tie English held
a council with the Indians, and told them if they would turn out
and unite as one man, they might surround the Americans like
deer in a ring of fire, and destroy them all. The Wyandot spoke
further in the council. We see, said he, there is like to be war between the English and our white brethren, the Americans. Let us
unite and consider the sufferings we have undergone, from interfereingz in the wars of the English. They have often promised to
help us, and at last, when we could not withstand the army that
came against us, and went to the English fort for refuge, the Enolish told us, I I can not let you in; you are painted too much, my




174                HISTORY Of FORT WAYNE.
children.' It was then we saw the British deal treacherously with,
us. We now see them going to war again. We do not know what
they are going to fight for. Let us, my brethren, not interfere, was
the speech of the Wyandot.
"Further, the Wyandot said, I speak to you, my little brother,
the Shawanoes at Greenville, and to you our little brothers all
around. You appear to be at Greenville to serve the Supreme Ruler of the universe. Now send forth your speeches to all our brethren far around us, and let us unite to seek for that which shall be
for our eternal welfare, and unite ourselves in a band of perpetual
brotherhood. These, brethren, are the sentiments of all the men
who sit around you; they.all adhere to what the elder brother, the
Wyandot, has said, and these are their sentiments. It is not that
they are afraid of their white brothers, but that they desire peace
and harmony, and not that their white bretlhren could put them to
great necessity, for their former arms were bows and arrows, by
which they get their living."
At the conclusion of this speech, the Commissioners made some
explanation, whereupon the Prophet, who seemed determined to
make every occasion advance his own importance, took upon himself the duty of informing the whites why his people had settled
upon Greenville.
" About nine years since," said he, "I became convinced of the
errors of my ways, and that I would be destroyed from the face of
the earth if I did not amend them. Soon after I was told what I
must do to be right. From that time I have continually preached
to my red brethren, telling them the miserable situation they are
in by nature, and striving to convince them that they must change
their lives, live honestly and be just in all their dealings, kind to
one other and also to their white brethren; affectionate in their families, put away lying and slandering, and serve the Great Spirit in
the way I have pointed out; they must never think of war again;
the tomahawk was not given them to go at war with one another.
The Shawnees at Tawa town could not listen to me, but persecuted
me. This made a division in the nation; those who adhered to me
removed to this place, where I have constantly preached to them.
They did not select this place because it looked fine or was valuable, for it was neither; but because it was revealed to m-e that this
is the proper place where 1 must establish my doctrines. I mean
to adhere to them while I live, for they are not mine but those of
the Great Ruler of the world, and my future life shall prove to the
whites the sincerity of my professions. In conclusion, my brethren, our six chiefs shall go with you to Chilicothe."
Tecumseh, Roundhead, Blue Jacket and Panther, returned with
the Commissioners to Chilicothe, where a council was called, and
in which they gave the governor positive assurances that they entertained none but peaceful intentions toward the whites. A speech
which Tecumseh delivered at the time occupied between three and




ALARM AMONG THE SETTLEMENTS-COUNCIL AT SPRINGFIELD. 175
four hours in its delivery. It was eloquent and masterly, and
showed that he possessed a thorough knowledge of all the treaties
which had been made for years. While he expressed his pacific
intentions if fairly treated, he told the governor to his face that
every aggression or settlement upon their lands would.be resisted,
and that no pretended treaties would insure the squatter's safety.
Stephen Ruddell (who, with Anthony Shane, has given to the world
nearly all that has been learned of Tecumseh) acted as interpreter
upon the occasion. Other of the chiefs spoke, but Tecumseh, it
was evident, was the leader, and every word that he uttered was
received with attention and its full importance attached to it.
The council terminated pleasantly, and the governor, convinced
that no instant danger was threatened from the gatherings of the
Indians at Greenville and Fort Wayne, disbanded the militia which
he had called into service. The chiefs returned to their people,
and for a short time the settlers were free from alarm and apprehension.*
Not long after this event the settlements were again thrown into
still greater excitement by the murder of a man, by the name of
Myers, who was killed by the Indians, near where is now the town
of Urbana, Ohio; and many of the settlers returned to Kentucky,
where they had previously lived, where the alarm arose to such a
height as to make it necessary to call into action a large body of
militia. Being demanded to deliver up the murderers, Tecumseh
and his brother, the Prophet, disclaimed any knowledge of thenlsaid they were not of their people. A council being finally held at
Springfield, Tecumseh, Blackfish, and other chiefs, with two separate and distinct parties of Indians, one from the North, the other
from Fort Wayne, under Tecumseh, were in atteldance. Being
embittered against each other, each were quite anxious that the
other should receive the blame for the murder. Says Drake, the
party from the North, at the request of the Commissioners, left their
arms a few miles behind them, but Tecumseh would not consent to
attend unless his followers were allowed to keep theirs about them,
adding that his tomahawk was his pipe, and he might wish to use
it. At this a tall, lank-sided Pensylvanian, who was standing among
the spectators, and who, perhaps, had no love for the glittering
tomahawk of the self-willed chief, cautiously stepped tip, and
handed him a greasy, long-stemmed clay pipe, respectfully intimating that if he would only deliver up his dreadful tomahawk, he
might use that article. The chief took it between.his thumb and
finger, held it up, looked at it a few seconds, then at the owner,
who all the time was gradually backing away from him, and instantly threw it, with a contemptuous sneer, over his head into the
bushes. The commissioners being compelled to wave the point,,
the council proceeded; and the result was, that the murder was an
individual affair, sanctioned by neither party-which brought the.
* Life of Teeumseh.




176             -HIsToOY OF FORT WAYNE
council to a close, with a reconciliation of both parties, and to the
acceptance of the settlers.
But the air was still rife with trouble. The protestations of Teeumseh and the Prophet could not allay the uneasiness of the settlements; and before the end of the fall months of this year, (1807)
Governor Harrison sent the following speech, by an Indian agent,
to the Shawanoes:
"MY CHILDREN:-Listen to me; I speak in the name of your
father, the great chief of the Seventeen Fires.
My children, it is now twelve years since the tomahawk, which
you had seized by the advice of your father, the king of Great
Britain, was buried at Greenville, in the presence of that great warrior, General Wayne.
" My children, you then promised, and the Great Spirit heard it,
that you would in future live in peace and friendship with your
brothers, the Americans. You made a treaty with your father, and
one that contained a number of good things, equally beneficial to
all the tribes of the red people, who were parties to it.
" My children, you promised in that treaty to acknowledge no
other father than the chief of the Seventeen Fires; and never to
listen to the proposition of any foreign nation. You promised never
to lift up the tomahawk against any of your father's children, and
to give him notice of any other tribe that intended it; your father
also promised to do something for you, particulary to deliver to
you every year a certain quantity of goods; to prevent any white
man from settling on your lands without your consent, or'to do you
any personal injury. He promised to run a line between your land
and his, so that you might know your own; and you were to be permitted to live and hunt upon your father's land, as long as you behaved yourselves well. My children, which of these articles has
your father broken? You know that he has.observed them all with
the utmost good faith. But, my children, have you done so? Have
you not always had your ears open to receive bad advice from the
white people beyond the lakes?
"My children, let us look back to times that are past. Ithas been
a long time since you called the king of Great Britain father. You
know that it is the duty of a father to watch over his children, to
give them good advice, and to do every thing in his power to make
them happy. What has this father of yours done for you, during
the long time that you have looked up to him for protection and
advice?  Are you wiser and happier than you were before you
knew him, or is your nation stronger or more respectable? No, my
children, he took you by the hand when you were a powerful tribe;
you held him fast, supposing he was your friend, and he conducted
you through paths filled with thorns and briers, which' tore your
flesh and shed your blood. Your strength was exhausted, and you
could no longer follow him. Did he stay by you in your distress,
and assist and comfort you? No, he led you into danger and then




TEOUMSEr AND THE PROPHET AT TIP.PEOANOE.    177
abandoned you; He saw your blood flowing and he would give
you no bandage to tie up your wounds. This was the conduct of
the man who called himself your father.;T[he Great Spirit opened
your eyes; you heard the voice of the chief of the Seventeen Fires
speaking the words of peace. H-e called you to follow him; you
came to him, and he once more put you on the right way, on the
broad, smooth road that would have led to happiness. But the
voice of your deceiver is again heard; and, forgetful of your former
sufferings, you are again listening to him. Mly children, shut your
ears and mind him not, or he will lead you to ruin and misery.
My children, I have heard bad news. The sacred spot where
the great council-fire was kindled, around which the Seventeen
Fires and ten tribes of their children smoked the pipe of peacethat very spot where the Great Spirit saw his red and white children encircle themselves with the chain of friendship-that place
has been selected for dark and bloody councils. My children, this
business must be stopped. You have called in a number of men
from the most distant tribes, to listen to a fool, who spake not the
words of the Great Spirit, but those of the devil, and of the British
agents. My children, your conduct has much alarmed the white
settlers near you. They desire that you will send away those people, and if they wish to have the impostor with them, they can
carry him. Let him go to the lakes; he can hear the Britislh more
distinctly."
The Prophet's reply was, that evil birds had sung in the Governor's ears; and he denied any correspondence with the British, protesting that he had no intentions whatever of disturbing the adjoining settlements. It soon'became evident, however, that the assemblages of the Prophet could not be dispersed without a resort to
arms on the part of the government; and Gov. Harrison, strongly
disposed to think that no harm was intended by the Indians towards
the settlements, let the matter rest, and the assemblages continued,
large bodies of Indians coring down from the lakes in the early
part of the following year (1808), where, as their supply of provisions became reduced or exhausted, they received fresh supplies
from Fort Wayne,
But a change of base was contemplated, and the Pottawattamies
having granted them a portion of land, Tecumseh and the Prophet,
in the spring of this year, removed with the tribe to Tippecanoe,
where large bodies were soon collected, and, among other exercises, war-like sports became frequent among them. Again the
settlements were in a high state of uneasiness, and many were
ready to declare that they knew from the first that the Indians were
but preparing for the consummation of some treacherous scheme.
Many of the Indians among them were from the north. The Miamies and Delawares, being friendly to the whites, were greatly opposed to their coming,'and even sent a delegation to the Prophet
( 12)




178               HISTOIY OF FOET WAYNT.
to stop them. But Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, in receiving them, said they were not to be thwarted in tleir purposes to
ameliorate the condition of their brethien; and the Miami and
Delaware delegation returned fully of the belief that the settlements
WTere not without the strongest o groUnds for the apprehensions they
had so long manifested.
August had comie. The Prophet, accompanied by several of his
followers, had visited Governor li:arrison, at Vincennes, protesting,
as formerly, that his purposes werea peaceable. Said he, to Gov.
Harrison:' FATHER:-It is three years since I first lbegan with that system
of religion which I now practice. The white people and some of
the Indians were against me; but I had no other intenotion but to
introduce amongi the Indians, those o'ood principles of religion
which the white people profess. I wais spoken baidly of by the
white people, who reproached me with misleading' the Indians; but
I defy them to say [ did anything amiss.
"Father, I was told that vou intended to hanm  me. Wnhen I
heard this, I intended to remlember it, and tell my fa.ther, when I
went to see him, and relate the trutTth.
" I heard, when I settled. on the WTabash, that my fatA;er, the Governor, had declared that all the land beltween Vinceinnes and Fort
Wayne, was the properly of the Seventeen Fires. I also heard
that you wanted to know, my father, whiether I was God or man;
and that you said if I was the former, I should not steal horses. I
heard this from Mr. Wells, but I believed it originated with himself.
" The Great Spirit told lme to tell the Indians t hat he lhad made
them, and made the world-that he had. placed them on it to do
good and not evil.
" I told all the red-skins, that the way they were in was not good,
and that they ougbht to abandon it.
"That we ought to consider ourselves as one man; but we ought
to live agreeably to our several ciustoms, t]he red people after their
mode, and the white people after tlheirs; particula.rly, that they should
not drink whiskey; that it was not nmace ifor them:, but the white
people, who alone knew how to use it; and that it is the cause of
all the mischiefs which the Indians sutfer; andc that they mrust always follow the directions of the Great Spirit, and swe must listen
to him, as it was He that made us; determine to listen to nothing
that is bad;l do not take up the tomahawk, shouldl it be oifered by.the British, or by the Long-Knives; do not meddle with any thing
that does not belong to you, but mind your own business, and cultivate the ground, that your women and your cchildren may have
enough to live on.
"I now inform you that it is our intention to live in peace with.oul fer bher and his people forever.
6 My father, I haye informed you what we mean? to do, and I call
t]fe Great Spirit to witness thle truth oif mry declaration. iThe religion




Gov. 1HARRISON TEST TTHE PROPHET.         179
which I have established for the last three years, has been attended
to by the different tribes of Indians in this part of the world. These
Indians were once different people; they are now but one; they
are all determined to practice what I have communicated to them,
that has come immediately from the Great Spirit through me.
" Brother, I speak to you as a warrior. You are one. But let us
lay aside this character, and attend to the care of our children, that
they may live in comfort and peace. We desire that you will join
us for the preservation of both red and white people. Formerly,
when we lived in ignorance, we were foolish; but now, since we
listen to the voice of the Great Spirit, we are happy.
"I have listened to what you have said to us. You have promised to assist us. I now request you, in behalf of all the red people, to use your exertions to prevent the sale of liquor to us. TWe
are all well pleased to hear you say that you will endeavor to promote our happiness. We give you every assurance that we will
follow the dictates of the Great Spirit.
" We are all well pleased with the attention you have showed
us; also with the good intentions of our father, the President. If
you give us a few articles, such as needles, flints, hoes, powder, etc.,
we will take the animals that afford us meat, with powder and ball."
Says Drake, to test the influence of the Prophet over his followers, Gov. Harrison held conversations with and offered them spirits, but they always refused, and he became almost convinced that
he was really sincere in his professions, and had no higher ambition than to ameliorate the condition of his race.
Thus matters rested or rather continued; and during the following year Tecumseh and the Prophet sought quietly to add
strength to their movement. Both were engaged in a deep game;
and while the Prophet seemed the leading spirit, Tecumseh was
yet the prime mover; and the Prdphet attempted but little without
first getting the advice of the former, if in reach, though it is evident he was most headstrong in much that he undertook.
In the spring of 1809, reports having reached the ear of Gov.
Harrison that many of the Indians were leaving the Prophet because of his persistency in requiring them to become party to a
scheme he had in view for the massacre of the inhabitants of Yincennes, he began the organization of two companies of volunteer
militia, with a view to garrisoning a post somne two miles from Yincennes. But the Prophet's followers having dispersed before the
elose of the summer, the alarm among the settlements became
placid again, and so continued until the early part of 1810.
Up to 1809 Governor Harrison continued his efforts in the extinguishment of Indian claims to lhnds within the Indiana Territory;
and on the 80th of Septembe r of that year concluded another treaty
at Fort Wayne, in Whicti the chiefs and head men of the Delaware,
Pottawattamie, ifami, and Eel River tribes participated. According to the rep4ot of this treaty, the Indians sold and ceded to tlhe




180               HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
United States about two million nine hundred thousand acres of
land, principally situated on the southeastern side of the river Wabash, and below the mouth of Raccoon Creek, a little stream which
empties into the Wabash, near what is now the boundaries of Parke
county, in this State. The chiefs and head men of the,Wea tribe,
in the following month, (26th of October) having met Gov. Harrison
at Vincennes, acknowledged the legality of this treaty; and by a
treaty held at Vincennes on the 9th of December following, the
sachems and war-chiefs of the Kickapoo tribe also confirmed the
treaty of Fort Wayne. Up to this time, the whole amount of land
ceded to the United States by treaty stipulations between Governor
Harrison and the different tribes of the Indiana Territory, according to the records, was 29,719,530 acres.
Having received, through what he believed a reliable source,
certain facts regarding the conduct of Tecumseh and the Prophet
in an effort to incite the Indians against the settlements of the west;
and that those who had previously left the ranks of the Prophet
had again returned to his support; and further, that the British had
their agents quietly at work among the tribes thus banded; that the
Indians were boasting to American traders that they were getting
their ammunition-powder and balls-without cost; Gov. Harrison,
through instructions from the Secretary of War, in July, 1810, began at once to prepare for the better safety of the frontier settlements.




CHAPTER XIV.
At length Discord, the Fury, came,
Waving her murderous torch of flame,
And kindled that intestine fire,
Which, like the lightning-flame burns on,
More fierce for being rained upon."
-oFurther movements of Teeumseh and the Prophet-The "Doomed Warrior "-Letter
of Gov. Harrison-Death of Tarhe-Discovery of the plot to massacre Fort Wayne,
&c.-Efforts of Tecumseh to obtain the aid of the tribes along the Mississippi-Influence of British agents-Agents are dispatched to Tecumseh and the ProphetThe Prophet complains that the Indians had been cheated-Gov. Harrison writes
to the Secretary of War-He also sends an address to Tecumseh and the ProphetTecumseh's visit to Vincennes-The conference-Eloquence of Teeninseh-His
contempt for the proffer of the government-Personal appearance of TecumsehHis objections to the treaty of Fort Way ne-Sends wampum belts to the different
tribes-Gov. Harrison's address to the legislature-Statement of a Kickapoo chief
-Assurances of the Gov. of Missouri-Seizure of salt by the Prophet-Governor
Harrison demands further aid from the government-Vincennes to be the first place
of attack-Tecumseh again visits Gov. Harrison —His departure for the SouthHis efforts among the Creek Indians-His return northward-His charges to the
Prophet-alarm of the settlers-Arrival of aid-Gov. Harrison determins to bring
matters to a crisis-Peaceful protestations of the Prophet-Gov. Harrison grows
more determined-Prepares for a march upon the Prophet's town-The army met
by a deputation from the Prophet-A conference agreed upon-The army encamps for the night —An attack expected-The night dark and cloudy-Indians
on the alert-Discovered by the sentry-An attack —The Prophet tells the Indians
the bullets of the white men will not hurt them —Fierce struggle —Indians routedThe battle of Tippecanoe a success for the American arms-Anger of TecumsehHe visits Fort Wayne; and the Prophet retires to the Missessinewa.  -..
-0 —
&    S THE summer of 1810 advanced it became more and more
evident to Gov. Harrison that the true purposes of Tecumseh
b    and the Prophet were war upon the whites.          Having accused
kS-a Wyandott chief, by the name of Leatherlips, known as the
"Doomed Warrior," with witchcraft, it was thought that the
Prophet and Tecumseh were instrumental in his subsequent murder; though it was asserted by      a Mr. Thatcher that a Wyandott
chief, of the Porcupine    clan, known as Tarhe or Crane, was the
principal agent in the deed.     But Gov. Harrison, in      a letter addressed to the editor of the " Hesperian," 1838, said of Tarhe: "I
have often said I never knew a better man, and am           confident he




182              IHISTORY OF FourT WAY-NE.
would not have been concerned in such a transaction as is ascribed
to him. In support of this opinion I offer the following reasons:
The execution of the' Doomed Wyandott Chief' is attributed, and
no doubt correctly, to the Shawnee Prophet and his brother Tecumseh. To my knowledge, Tarhe was always the opponent of these
men, and cotld not have been their agent in the matter. The accusation of witchcraft was brought by these Shawnee brothers, and
the accused were exclusively those who were friendly to the United
States, and who had been parties to treaties by which the Indian
titles to lands had been extinguished. In both these respects,
Tarhe had rendered himself obnoxious to the former. Tarhe was
not only the Grand Sachem of his tribe, but the acknowledged head
of all the tribes who were engaged in the war with the United
States, which was terminated by the treaty of Greenville; and in
that character the duplicate of the original treaty, engrossed on
parchment, was committed to his custody, as had been the grand
calumet which was the symbol of peace. Tarhe united with his
friend, Black-Hoof, the head chief of the Shawnees, in denying the
rank of chief either to the Prophet or Tecumseh; and, of course, he
would not have received it of them. If the' Doomed Warrior' had
been snetenced by a council of his own nation, Tarhe would not
have directed the execution, but, as was invariably the custom, it
would have been committed to one of the war-chiefs. The party
sent to put the old chief to death, no doubt, came immediately from
Tippecanoe; and if it was commanded by a Wyandot, the probability is that it was Round-Head, who was a Captain of the band of
Wyandots who resided with the Prophet, and was, to a great extent,
under his influence."
Rev. J. B. Finley, a missionary to the tribe of Tarhe, and for some
years most intimately acquainted with Tarhe, said that Mr. Thatcher
and his informant were wholly mistaken in the conclusions regarding the accusation against Tarhe; and added that a better and truer
Indian than he never lived.
Finding the " Doomed Warrior" at his home, some twelve miles
north of Columbus, he was made acquainted with the sentence
passed upon him, and calmly prepared to meet the fate which lie
felt inevitable. A number of white men present, sought to interfere in his behalf, but without success; and when the fatal hour
came, he is said to have " turned from his wigwam, and, with a
voice of surpassing strength and melody, commenced the chant of
his death-song. He was followed slowly by the Wyandott warriors,
all timing, with their slow and measured' march, the music of his
wild and melancholy dirge. The whites were likewise all silent
followers in that strange procession."
Having been led to his own grave, he knelt calmly, resolutely
down, and offered a prayer to the Great Spirit, at the conclusion of
which, still in a kneeling posture, one of the Wyandotts gave him a
heavy blow upon the head with a tomahawk, breaking his skull.




'lNovIEMIENTS OF TECOUMSEI AIND THE PROPHE-T-BRITISH AID. 183
After a few moments more, ceasing to stir, the unfortunate victim
of the Shawanoe conspirators and revolutioners, with all his apparel andc decorations, was consigned to the earth and hidden from
vie W.
A few weeks laterl and Gov. Harrison was made acquainted with
a plot that rwas maturing'for the surprise and massacre of Fort
Wayne, Detroit, Chicagoo Vincennes, and St. Louis. Tecumseh
and the Propliet were moving as with the slow but sure action of a
volcanoe; and the internal heat of their efforts was continually made
the more apparent by the risinr, cinders cast up in the endeavor
here and there secretly to drCia the different triles of the west and
south within.their circle, land by other means, equally wily and
sereptitions, to,bring- their plans to bear for the overthrow of the
whites of the northwest.
At the conclusion of the strugole for Independence, the opinion
is said to have prevailed with mlany in England that the American
colonies were not wholly lost to the mother country; and the hope
was entertained by such, that, at some favorable hour the English
government would be able to regain its former hold upon the country; in which anticipations, it wvas thougrht the British Ministry
most earnestly and hopiefnully united. From anticipations and desires of this nature, together with the discomfiture felt at the failure
of their arms, may have arisen the many hostile acts of irterferance
on the Tpart of Enolish aen-ts, coilmm'alndants, and others in their
employ along the interior frontiers of the northwest, and also the
besto-wal of:frequent ].ar^e supplies of amnmunition upon the various
tribes within range of the Can -ads.
After the discovery of the plot to massacre the forts% it was ascertained that strono efforts were being,malde to persuade the tribes
along the Misssippi to unite with Tecumnseh and the Prophet in
their efforts, but up to the period in question, had met with no great
degree of success; while the most mfiluential chliefs among the Delawares, Mianmies, and S'hawoanoes were much opposed to, the reckless schemes and efforts of Tecunseh and the Prophet. Besides
these facts, about this period, Governor Harrison learned from  a
friendly Indian that a British tag nt had recently visited the Prophet,
who had encouraged the latter to continue in his efforts to unite
the tribes, and to await a signal from the British authorities before
carrying out their designs agaiinst the Americans.
Finding now that the most constant watchfulness was necessary,
and being determined to obtain all the information possible regarding their plans, Governor Hatrriso-n dispatched two agents to Tecumseh and his brother with a view of ascertaining more fully and
certainly, if possible, their real designs and plans. Receiving the
agents very courteously, in reply to the inquiries made, the Prophet
told the agents that the assemlbling of thle Indians upon that spot
was by the explicit command of the Great Spirit.
Having heard the Prophlet, the agents told himi that his mover




184              IHI-STOaY OrF Forpu WAYNaE.
mnents had excited so much alarm that the troops of Kentucky and
Indiana were being called out, and strong preparations were being,
made in anticipation of trouble with the tribes.
In answer to the questions of the agents as to the cause of his
complaints against the United States, the Prophet replied that his
people had been cheated of their lands. Insisting that his complaints would readily be listened to by laying them before Gov.
Harrison, at Vincennes, the Prophet refused to go, saying that,
while there, upon a former occasion, he was badly treated.
Receiving this information, the Governor at once wrote to the
Secretary, stating the cause, and telling him that all this caviling
was merely a pretext on the part of Tecumseh and the Prophet to
gather strength in the furtherance of their designs; that he had been
as liberal in the conclusion of treaties as his understanding of the
views and opinions of tile government would permit, and that none
of the tribes had just cause for complaint.
Having heard, in the month of July, that the Sacs and Foxes had
formed anTalliancewith the Prophet, and were ready and willing
to strike the Americans at any time, Governor Harrison set about
the preparation of the following address, which he forwarded to the
Prophet by a confidential interpreter:' William IHenry Harrison, Governor and Commander-in-chief of
the Territory of Indiana, to the Shawanoe chief and the Indians assembled at Tippecanoe:
" Nothwithstanding the improper language which you have used
toward me, I will endeavor to open your eyes to your true interests.
Notwithstandinog what bad white men have told you, I am not your
personal enemy. You ought to know this from the manner in which
I received and treated you on your visit to this place.
"Although I must say,that you are an enemy to the Seventeen
Fires, and that you have used the greatest exertions with other tribes
to lead them astray. In this, you have been in some measure successful; as I am told they are ready to raise the tomahawk against
their father; yet their father, notwithstanding his anger at their folly,
is full of goodness, and is always ready to receive into his arms
those of his children who are willing to repent, acknowledge their
fault, and ask for his forg'iveness.
".There is yet but little harmndone, which may easily be repaired.
The chain of friendship which united the whites with the Indians
may be renewed, and be as strong as ever. A great deal of that
work depends upon you-the destiny of those who are under you,
depends upon the choice you may make of the two roads which are
before you. The one is lai ge, open and pleasant, and leads to peace,
security and happiness; the other, on the contrary, is narrow and
crooked, and leads to misery and ruin. Don't deceive yourselves;
do not believe that all the nations of Indians united are able to resist the force of the Seventeen Fires. I know your warriors are
brave, but ours are not less so; but what can a few brave warriors




TEOUMSEH'S VISIT TO VINCENNES.          185
do against the innumerable warriors of the Seventeen Fires? Our
blue-coats are more numerous than you can count; our hunters are
like the leaves of the forest, or the grains of sand on the Wabash.
"Do not think that the red-coats can protect you; they are not
able to protect themselves. They do not think of going to war with
us. If they did, you would, in a few months, see our flag wave
over all the forts of Canada.
" What reason have you to complain of the Seventeen Fires? Have
they taken any thing from you? Have they ever violated the treaties made with the red-men? You say that they have purchased
lands from them who had no right to sell them: show that this is
true, and the land will be instantly restored. Show us the rightful
owners of those lands which have been purchased-let them present themselves. The ears of your father will be opened to your
complaints, and if the lands have been purchased of those who did
not own them, they will be restored to their rightful owners. I have
full power to arrange this business; but if you would rather carry
your complaints before your great father, the President, you shall
be indulged. I will immediately take means to send you, with
those chiefs which you may choose, to the city where your father
lives. Every thing necessary shall be prepared for your journey,
and means taken for your safe return."
After hearing this speech, the Prophet told the interpreter that,
as his brother intended to pay Governor Harrison a visit in a few
weeks, he would let him carry the reply to the Governor's message.
Receiving this information, Governor Harrison sent a message to
Tecumseh, requesting him to bring but a small body of his followers, as it was inconvenient for him to receive many; to which Tecumseh paid little or no regard, and on the 12th of August, 1810,
with four hundred warriors, all armed with tomahawks, war-clubs,
and " painted in the most terrifi mmanner," he began to descend the
Wabash for Vincennes. Arriving near Vincennes, and encamping
on the Wabash, on the morning of the 15th, attended by about fifteen or twenty of his warriors, Tecumseh approached the house of
the Governor, who, in company with the judges of the Supreme
Court, several army officers, a sergeant and a dozen men, besides
a large number of citizens, waited upon the portico of his own house
to receive the chief and his followers.*
During the milder season of the year, to hold a council other
than in a grove or woody place, with logs or a clear, grassy spot
of ground to set upon, was to invite the Indian to do an act very
much to his distaste; and to the invitation to come forward and take
seats upon the portico, he objected, signifying that it was not a fit
place to hold a council, and expressed a desire that the meeting
might be held beneath a grove of trees near, which was readily assented to, and soon the Governor, with his attendants was seated beneath a grove of trees in the open lawn, before the house.
* Ellis' Life of Tecumseh.




1 S6               HISToRY OF FORT WAYNE.
" With a firm and elastic step," says Judge Law,-i: and 4 with a
proud and somewhat defiant look, he advanced to the place where
the Governor and those whoT. had been invited to attend thel conferance were sitting. This place had been fenced in, with a view of
preventing the crowd from encroaching upon the council during its
deliberations. As he stepped forward, he seemed to scan the preparations which had been made for his reception, particularly the
militaryppart of it, with an eye of suspicion-by no means, however, with fear. As he ctame in fiont of the dias, an elevated portion of the place upon which the Governor and the officers of the
Territory were seated, the Governor invited him, through the interpreter, to come forward and take a seat with him and his counsellors,
premising, the invitation by saying: That it was the wish of their' GtREAT FATEEE,' the President of the United States, that he should
do so." Pausing for a moment, at the utterance of these words by
the interpreter, and extending his tall figure to its greatest height,
he looked scanningly upon the troops and then upon the crowd
about him. Thus, for a moment, with keen, piercing eyes fixed
upon Governor Harrison, and then upward to the sky, and " his sinewy arm pointing towards the heaven," with a tone and gesture expressive of supreme contempt for the paternity assigned him," in
a clear, loud, full voice, which reverberated again upon the momentary stillness that his stolid demeanor had produced, with all
eyes fixed upon him, he exclaimed:
" Afy Father?-The sun is my father-the earth is my motherand on her bosom I will recline."  Having finished, says Judge
Law, he stretched himself with his warriors on the green sward;
and the effect is. said to have been electrical-for solme moments
there was a perfect silence throughout the assembly.
Governor HIarrison having now begun to refer to the subject of
the council, said toTecumseh, through the interpreter,' that he had
understood he had complaints to make, and redress to ask for certain wrongs which he, Tecumseh, supposed had been done his tribe,
as well as the others; that he felt disposed to listen to the one, and
make satisfaction, for the other, if it was proper he should do so.
That in all his intercourse and negotiations with the Indians, he had
endeavored to act justly and honorably with them, and believed he
had done so, and had heard of no complaint of his conduct until he
learned that Tecumseh was endeavoring to create dissatisfaction
towards the Government not only among the Shawanoes, but
among the other tribes dwelling on the Wabash and Illinois; and
had, in so doing, produced a great deal of mischief and trouble between them and the whites, by averring that the tribes, whose land
the Government had lately purchased, had no right ro sell, nor their
chiefs any authority toe convey. That he, the Governor, had invited
him to attend the Council, with a view of learning from his own
lips, whether there was anytruthl in the reports which he had heard,
Judge Law's Address, page d3.




TECUMSEE'S OBJECTIONS TO THE TREATY OF FORT WAYNE. 187
and to learn from himself whether lie, or his tribe, had.any cause
of complaint against the whites; and if so, as a man and a warrior,
openly and boldly to avow it. That, as between himself and as
great a warrior as Tecumseh, there should be no concealment-all
should be done by them under a clear sky, and in an open path,
and with these feelings on his own part, he was glad to meet him
in council."
In appearance, Tecumseh was accounted " one of the most splendid specimens of his tribe-celebrated for their physical proportions and fine forms, even among the nations surrounding the Shawanoes. Tall, athletic, and manly, dignified but graceful, he seemed
the beau ideal of an Indian chieftain.' In a voice, at first low, but
with all its indistinctness,"'5 Tecumseh replied by " stating, at length,
his objections to the treaty of Fort Wayne, made by Gov. Harrison
in the previous year; and in the course of of his speech," says Benjamin Drake, " boldly avowed the principle of his party to be, that
of resistance to every cession of land, unless made by all the tribes,
who, he contended, formed but one nation. He admitted that he
threatened to kill the chiefs who signed the treaty of Fort Wayne;
and that it was his fixed determination not to permit the village
chiefs, in future, to manage their affairs, but to place the power with
which they had been heretofore invested, in the hands of the warchiefs. The Americans, he said, had driven the Indians from the
sea-coast, and would soon push them into the lakes; and, while he
disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United States, he
declared it to be his unalterable resolution to take a stand, and resolutely oppose the further intrusion of the whites upon the Indian
lands. He concluded, by making a brief but impassioned recital
of the various wrongs and aggressions inflicted upon the Indians
by the white men, from the commencement of the Revolutionary
war down to the period of that council; all of which was calculated to arouse and influence the minds of such of his followers as
were present.
"The Governor rose in reply, and in examining the right of Tecumseh and his party to make obj ections to the treaty of Fort Wayne,
took occasion to say, that the Indians were not one nation, having
a common property in the lands. The Miamis, he contended, were
the real owners of the tract on the Wabash, ceded by the late treaty,
and the Shawnees had no right to interfere in the case; that upon
the arrival of the whites on this continent, they had found the Miamis in possession of this land, the Shawnees being then residents
of Georgia, from which they had been driven by the Creeks, and
that it was ridiculous to assert that the red men constituted but one
nation; for, if such had been the intention of the Great Spirit, he
would not have put different tongues in their heads, but have taught
them all to speak the same language.
"The Governor having taken his seat, the interpreter comnmenced
* Judge Law's Address, page 85.




i88              IHISTOoRY OF FO T WArYNE.
explaining the speech to Tecumseh, who, after listening to a portion of it, sprung to his feet, and began to speak with great vehemence of manner.
The Governor was surprised at his violent gest.ures, but as he
did not understand him, thought he was making some explanation,
and suffered his attention to be drawn tovward Winnemac, a friendly
Indian lying on the grass before him, who was renewing the priming of his pistol, which he had kept concealed from the other Indians, but in full view of the Governor. His attention, however,
was again attracted toward Tecumseh, by hlearing General Gibson,
who was intimately acquainted with the Shawnee language, say to
Lieutenant Jennings,' Those fellows intend mischief; you had better bring up the guard.' At that moment, the followers of Tecumseh seized their tomahavwks and war-clubs, and sprang upon their
feet, their eyes turned upon the Governor. As soon as he could
disengage himself from the arm-chair in which he sat, he rose, drew
a small sword which he had by his side, and stood on the defensive.
Captain G. R. Floyd, of the army, who stood near him, drew a dirk,
and the chief Winnemac cocked his pistol. The citizens present
were more numerous than the Indians, but were unarmed; some of
them procured clubs and brick-bats, and also stood on the defensive. The Rev. Mr. Winans, of the Methodist church, ran to the
Governor's house, got a gun, and posted himself at the door to defend the family. During this singular scene, no one spoke, until
the guard came running up, and appearing to be in the act of firing, the Governor ordered them not to do so. He then demanded
of the interpreter ant explanation of what had happened, who replied that Tecumseh had interrupted: him, declaring that all the
Governor had said was false; and that he and the Seventeen Fires
had cheated and imposed on the Indians.
"The Governor then told Tecumseh that he nwas a bad man, and
that he would hold no further commlunicati'on with him; that as he
had come to Vincennes under the protection of a council-fire, he
might return in safety, but he must immediately leave the village.
Here the council terminated. During the night, two companies of
militia were brought in from the country, and thatt belonging to the
town was also embodied. Next morningo Tecumseh requsted the
Governor to afford him an opportunity of explaining his conduct on
the previous day-declaring that he did not intend to attack the
Governor, and that he had acted under the advice of some of the
white people. The Governor consented to have another interview,
it being understood that each party should have the same armed
force as on the previous day. On this occasion the deportment of
Tecumseh was respectful and dignified. He again denied having
any intention to make an attack upon the Governor, and declared
that he had been stimulated to the course he had taken, by two
white men, who assured him that one half the citizens were opposed to the Governor, and willing to restore the land in question;




CONFERENcE A.T VINCENNNES.           189
that the Governor would soon be put out of office, and a good man
sent to fill his place, who would give up the land to the Indians.
When asked by the Governor whether he intended to resist the survey of these lands, Tecunmseh replied that he and his followers were
resolutely determined to insist upon the old boundary. When he
had taken his seat, chiefs from the Wyandots, Kickapoos, Pottawatamies, Ottawas and Winnebagoes, spoke in succession, and distinctly avowed that they had entered into the Shawnee confederacy,
and were determined to support the principles laid down by their
leader. The Governor, in conclusion, stated that he would make
known to the President the claims of Tecumseh and his party, to the
land in question; but that he was satisfied the Government would
never admit that the lands on the Wabash were the property of any
other tribes than those who occupied them when the white people
first arrived in America; and, as the title to these lands had been
derived by purchase from those tribes, he might rest assured that
the right of the United States would be sustained by the sword.
Here the council adjourned.
On the following day, Governor Harrison visited Tecumseh in
his camp, attended only by the interpreter, and was politely received. A'long conversation ensued, in which Tecumseh again declared that his intentions were really such as he had avowed them
to be in the council; that the policy which the United States pursued, of purchasing land from the Indians, he viewed as mig'hty
water, ready to overflow his people; and that the confederacy which
he was forming among the tribes to prevent any individual tribe
from selling wvithout the consent of the others, was the dam he was
erecting to resist this mighty water. He stated further, that he
should be reluctantly drawn into war with the United States; and
that if he, the Governor, would induce the President to give up the
lands lately purchased, and agree never to make another treaty
without the consent of all the' tribes, he would be their faithful ally,
and assist them in the war, which he knew was about to take place
with England; that he preferred being the ally of the Seventeen
Fires, but if they did not comply with his request, he would be compelled to unite with the British. The Governor replied, that he
would make known his views to the President, but that there was
no probability of its being agreed to.' Well,' said Tecumseh,'as
the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit
will put sense enough into his head to induce him to give up this
land; it is true, he is so far off, he will not be injured by the war;
he may sit still in his town and drink his wine, while you and I will
have to fight it out.' This prophecy, it will be seen, was literally
fulfilled; and the great chieftain who uttered it, attested that fulfillment with his blood. The governor, in conclusion, proposed to Tecumseh, that in the event of hostilities between the Indians and the
United States, he should use his influence to put an end to the cruel
mode of warfare which the Indians were accustomed to wage upon




190              HISTORY OF FOPT WAYNE.
women and children, or upon prisoners. To this he cheerfully assented; and it is due to the memory of Tecumseh to add, that he
faithfully kept his promise down to the period of his death.'
Not long subsequent to the termination of this council, a Winnebago chief, who had been employed by Governor Harrison to watch
the proceedings of Tecumseh, brought word to Gov, Harrison that
the former was sending to each of the tribes a large wampum belt,
with a view of uniting them in one great confederation; and that,
upon a return of the belt, he saw a British agent fairly dance with
joy-adding, with tears in his eyes, that he and all the village chiefs
had been deprived of their power, and that the control of everything was in the hands of the warriors, who were greatly opposed
to the United States.
Speaking of the Prophet, in his address to the legislature of this
year, Gov. Harrison said: " His character as a Prophet would not,
however, have given him any very dangerous influence, if he had
not been assisted by the intrigues and advice of foreign agents, and
other disaffected persons, who have for many years omitted no opportunity of counteracting the measures of the government with
regard to the Indians, and filling their naturally jealous minds with
suspicions of the justice and integrity of our views against them."
During the autumn of 1810, a Kickapoo chief visited Governor
Harrison, and assured him that the peaceful assurances of the
Prophet and Tecumseh were merely to cover up their real intentions against the United States; and about the same period, the
Governor of Missouri sent word that the Sac Indians had allied
themselves to the Tecumseh confederacy; that Tecumseh himself
was then doing all in his power to induce the tribes wTest of the
Mississippi to join him; to which were added the reports of different Indian agents, who were generally of opinion that the period
for a war with the Indians would soon arrive. And thus passed the
year 1810.
Early in 1811, as a part of the annuity to the Indians, Governor
Harrison sent a boat load of salt up the Wabash, a portion of which
was to be given to the Prophet for the Shawanoes and Kickapoos;
but, upon the arrival of the boat at the point where the Prophet had
his lodges, he made bold to seize the entire cargo, alleging for so
doing that he had two thousand men to feed, who had been without that commodity for two years. Upon the receipt of this proceedure, Governor Harrison felt fully justified in demanding immediate aid from the government, and accordingly made application
to the Secretary of War to have Colonel Boyd's regiment, then at
Pittsburg, sent immediately to him, for the better safety of Vincennes, requesting, at the same time, to receive authority to act on
the offensive as soon as it was known that the Indians were arrayed
in actual hostility against the United States. The Governor's apprehensions were well founded, and it soon became an acknwoledged fact, that Vincennes was to be the first point of attack. Thle




SECOND COUNCIL WITH TECTUMSEH AT VINCENNES.     191
place was most accessible, and Tecumseh was fully aware of its
situation.. He could have made a descent upon it in a very short
space of time, and then retreated into the unexplored country behind it, " where it would have,been next to impossible for any cavalry to have penetrated " at that period. And so earnest was Governor H-arrison upon the subject, that he notified the Secretary of
War, that, should troops not be immedliately sent to his relief, he
would at once take the matter in his own hands.
Accompanied by three hundred warriors,: on the 27th of July of
this year, Tecumseh again visited Vincennes; and on the 30th of
this month, in an arbor near, attended by about two hundred of his
warriors, another council was held. Opening the occasion by presenting the fact of several murders having been committed by Indians in Illinois, Governor Harrison expressed a desire that Tecumseh should pay a visit to the President with a view of laying before
him what complaints he had to offer, assuring him that he should
receive the fullest justice at tle chief magistrate's hands; and concluded by demanding an explanation  the conduct of the Prophet
in the seizure of the salt sent up the Wabash sometime before, to
be devided among the tribes. Replying to the latter, Tecumseh
remarked that he was not at home at the time of the seizure of the
salt, and said nothing further than, that Governor Harrison seemed
very hard to please, he having complained sometime before that
they refused to take the salt, and that now lhe was not pleased because they had taken it. With but little further business of importance, the council adjourned to meet agaiin on the following day.
Reassembling, says the accountt'- on the afternoon of the next
day, the council was continued far into the night. There being a full
moon and a clear sky, the members were distinctly revealed to
each other. It must have been a picturesque scene-those one
hnIlded and seventy warriors seated in grim silence, listening,
spell-bound, to the eloquence of the wonderful Tecumseh, occasionally signifying their approbation by their odd grunts; or, taking in
the words of the noble Harrison, as he strove by every means at
his command to convince them that what he urged was for their
own welfare and interest.
Still manifesting his well known self-will and independence, Tecumseh cooly admitted that he was still endeavoring to establish a
union of the different tribes. And "why do you complain?" he
enquired; "hlav'nt Fyom. formed a confederacy of your different fires?
We have raised no voice against that, and what right have you to
prevent us doing the same? So soon as the council ends, 1 shall
go south and seek to bring the Creeks and Ohoctaws into our confederacy;7 repeating that his designs were peacetul, and that the
whites were causelessly alarmed; while his reply regarding the Illinois murders is said to have been not only "justified by facts," but
1 Ellis' Life of Tecumseh, page 48.
t As principally presented by Benjamin Drake.




192                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
was "cutting and pointed." Governor Harrison had previously
stated, in a letter to the war department, "that it was impossible, in
many instances, for the Indians to receive justice. Were one of
their number murdered by a white man, no jury of settlers would
convict him, and, many of the latter seemed to think the savage
fit for nothing but insults and kicks."  As to the murderers, they
are not in my town," was substantially Tecumseh's response;" and
if they were, I would not give them up. We have set the whites
an example of forgiving injuries, which they should follow;"? and
added that he wished no settlers to come upon the new purchase,
near Tippecanoe before his return from the south, as the Indians
would require it as a hunting ground, and that if they found cattle
or hogs there, they would be apt to treat them as lawful game.*
In a brief but earnest response, Governor Harrison said "the
moon above them should fall to the earth before the President
would allow his people to be massacred with impunity; and that
no land would be yielded which had been honorably and fairly
bought of the Indians." And here the council terminated, from
whence, as he had stated, with great pomp, accompanied by some
twenty of his warriors, Tecumseh was soon rowing his canoe southward down the Ohio to arouse the Creeks for the overthrow of the
whites.
Of his efforts and the result of his mission among the Creeks, the
following graphic accountt will be read with no little degree of interest. The Shawanoe chieftain and his followers had meet their
friends, the'Creeks of the south, and a council was at once proposed.
"Tecumseh led, the warriors followed, one in the footsteps of the
other. The Creeks, in dense masses, stood on one side of the path,
but the Shawanoes noticed no one; they marched into the center of
the square, and then turned to the left. At each angle of the
square, Tecumseh took from his pouch some tobacco and sumach,
and dropped on the ground; his warriors performed the same ceremony. This they repeated three times as they marched around the
square. Then they approached the flag-pole in the center, circled
around it three times, and facing the north, threw tobacco and sumach on a small fire, burning, as usual, near the base of the pole.
On this they emptied their pouches. They then marched in the
same order to the council, or king's house, (as it was termed in ancient times,) and drew up before it. The Big Warrior and leading
men were sitting there. The Shawnee chief sounded his war-whoop
-a most diabolical yell-and each of his followers responded. Tecumseh then presented to the Big Warrior a wampum-belt of five
different colored strands, which the Creek chief handed to his warriors, and it passed down the line. The Shawnee's pipe was then
produced: it was large, long, and profusely decorated with shells,
beads, and painted eagle and porcupine-quills. It was lighted froim
* Ellis' Life of Tecumseh, pages 49 and 50.
i' Fvrom Claiborne's Life and Times of General Sam Dale."




TECIUMSEH AMONG TIE COEERI INDIANS OF THE SOUTH.      193
the fire in the center, and slowly passed from the Big Warrior along
the line.
" All this time not a word had been uttered, every thing was as still as
death; even;hle winds slept, and there was only the gentle-falling leaves.
At length Tecumseh spoke, at first slowly and in sonorous tones, but
he grew impassioned and the words fell in avalanches from  his lips,
his eye burned with supernatural luster, and his whole frame trembled
with emotion; his voice resounded over the multitude-now  sinking
in low and musical whispers, now rising to its highest key, hurling
out his words like a succession of thunderbolts. His countenance
varied with his speech; its prevalent expression was a sneer of hatred
and defiance; sometimes a murderous smile; for a brief interval a sentiment of profound. sorrow pervaded it, at the close of a look of concentrated vengean:c, such, I suppose, as distinguishes the arch-enemy
of mankind.' I have heard many great orators, but I never saw  one with the
vocal powers of Tecumseh, or the same1 commnLad of the face. Ha d(
I been deaf, t'he play of his countenane would have told me what h1
Bs2id. Its elffect on tbiat wild, superstitions, untutored and war-like assemblage, may be con.ceived; not a word was said, but stern warriors,
t;he stoics o)f thle woods, shook with emotiolni and a thousand tomaawk-vs were brandished in t;he air. Even Big I'?Tarrior who had been
true to the whites, and. remained faithful during the war, was, for the
moment, visibly' affectedt and more than once I saw his huge hand
clutch spasmodicall.y tlhe handle of his knife. And this was the effect
of his delivery-for, though the mother of Tecumseh was a Cneek, and
he was familiar withl the language, he spoke in the northern dialect
and it was afterward interpreted by an Indian linguist to the assembly.
His speech has been reported; but no one has done, or can do it justice. I thinkl  can repeat tihe substance of what he said, and, indeed,
his very words:
n' In defiance of the white men of Ohio and Kentucky, I have traveled through their settlements-once our favorite hunting-grounds.
N'o war-whoop was sounded, but there is blood upon our knives. The
pale-faces felt the blow, but knew not from  whence it came. Accursed be the race that has seized on our country, and made iyomen
of our warriors. Our fiathers, from their tombs, reproach us as slaves
and cowards. I hear them now in the wailing winds. The IMuscogee
were once a mighty people. The Georgians trembled at our warwhoop; and the maidens of my tribe, in the distant lakes, sung the
prowess of your warriors, and sighed for their embraces. >Tow, your
very blood is white, your tomahawks have no edges, your bows and
arrows were buried with your fathers. 0 Muscogees, brethren of my
mother! brush from your eyelids the sleep of slavery; once more
strike for vengeance-once more for your country. The spirits of
the mighty ldead complain. The tears drop from the skies. Let the
white race pe.rish!.PTh1.ey seize Yyour land, they corrupt your women,
(      "..




194                 HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
they trample on your dead! Back! whence they came, upon a trail
of blood, they must be driven! Back! back-ay, into the great
water whose accursed waves brought them to our shores! Burn their
dwellings! Destroy their stock!.Slay their wives and children! The
red-man owns the country, and the pale-face must tnever enjoy it!
War now!   War for'ever! War upon the living! War upon the
dead! Dig their very corpses from the graves! Our country must
give no rest to a white man's b)nes. All the tribes of the Nortih are
dancing the war-dance. Two mighty warriors across the seas will
send us arms.
"' Tecumseh will soon return to his country. My prophets shall
tarry with you. They will stand between you and your enemies.
Wheln the white man approaches you the earth shall swallow him up.
Soon shall you see my arm of fire stretched athwart the sky, I will
stamp my foot at TippecLnoe,* and the very earth shall shake.' 
" incredible as it may seenm/, says Ellis, in his life of Tecumseh, I  the
threat of Tecumseh, embodied in the last sentence of the foregoing
speech, was fulfilled to the very letter. It was uttered by the chief
when he saw th.e great reluctance of the Big Wlarrior and the C(re eks
to join him  ald. the confidence wdti;. w}Iich he made the threat had its
effect upon them."
Moving northwa.rd again Tecumseh andl his followers, came by
way of Missouri, rallied the tribes on the IDes Moines, crossed the headwaters of the Illinois, and froma thence to the WaVabash annd to Tippecanoe; and it was about this time thl:t a heavy earthquake occurred.
Before quitting tthe mouth of the Tippecanoe river, Tecunseh had
charged his brothe, tilhe Prophet, to be iost careful in the preservation of peace with the whites during his absence, and especially until
his arrangements were fully matured. f-r the con-feleration of the tribes,
narth and southt, as then advancing; to dwich the prophet gave his
assent, and Tecumseh left him with th e fall belief that lie would be
true to his word.
But a short time elapsed, however, before thel whites of the territory
began to feel an increased alarm. Teciumseii's imovement southward
had spread among them, and many murders by the Indians in the region of the Prophet's town, at the moiuth of the Tippecanoe, and other
points, were now behoming mnore freouent, and it was evident that
the Prophet was not twholly a stranger to these depredations, notwithstanding his promise to his brotier, Teceusech, to remain quiet and
peacable with the whites during his absence,
In the meantinme the regiment under Col. Boyd, as desired by Gov.
Harriison5 hiad reached Vincennes, and the Governor was likerise ordered to add to this body a corps of militia,a alnd to take immediate
measures for the defence of the citizens, and, as a last resort, to remove the Prophet and his fbllowers themseives.-  And the Governor'Other writers say that Detroit was mentioned in pla ce of Tippecanoe, and in giving
the cxclnaintions of the astonihed Indinl, we have put that word in their mouth, in
-.ccordance with the anthoil ty quoted,-Lift of Tnec mseh.  -M'A.fee.




THE PROPHET'S DETERMINATION.               195
was soon joined by a number of additional volunteers from Kentucky,
many of whom were men of high standing as military, civil, and literary gentlemen.
Governor Harrison now began to take active measures to bring
matters to a crisis, and wrote to his neighboring governors of Missouri
and Illinois, asking their aid in an effort still to persuade the Indians
to evade a recourse to arms; and also charged the Indian agents to do
what they could in bringing the Indians to a sense of reason in the
north; at the same time sending special messages to the different tribes,
demanding that all who had been concerned in the recent murders of
settlers, be at once given up, and from the Miamies a full disavowal of
all alliance or connection with the Prophet; and concluded, says
Drake, by saying that the United States, having manifested, through a
series of years, the utmost justice and generosity toward their Indian
neighbors, and having not only fulfilled the engagements which they
entered into with them, but had spent considerable sums to civilize
them and promote their happiness-that if, under these circumstances,
any tribe should dare to raise the tomahawk against their fathers, they
need not expect the same lenity that had been shown them at the close
of the former war; but that they wzould either be ex:terminaited, or driven
beyond the i   ississippi.
In reply to this, the Prophet assured Gxov. -Harrison that all his
demands should be regarded, still insisting that his purposes were
peaceable, though this response of the Prophet had hardly reached the
hands of the governor, before he also received intelligence that a party of whites had been fired upon when in pursuit of some horses
stolen by the Indians.
Gov. Harrison was now the more determined in his course; and the
Prophet had already sent, upon learning of the Governor's course of
action, word to the Delaware chiefs, inquiring as to what part they
intended to play in the coming struggle-as to himself, it was his purpose not to lay doTwn the hatchet until he was either killed or the
grievances he complained of were repaired. In response to this, the
Delaware chiefs at once set out for the Prophet's town, whither, upon
their arrival, they used strong efforts to dissuade him from  opening
any hostilities with the United States. But they received only rebukes
and insults for their efforts and advice; and finding it useless to tarry
longer in their council with the Prophet, the Delaware chiefs, whose
tribes had long been most friendly to the United States, left the
Prophet's town, and made their way to the camp of Gov. Harrison,
and at once informod him of the treatment they had received at the
hands of the Prophet.
The Governor had already begun his preparations for a march upon
the Prophet's town; and toward the latter part of the month of October, with some eight hundred men, embracing the Fourth U. S. regiment, commanded by the gallant Miller, moved forward toward the
mouth of the Tippecanoe river, to bring the Prophet and his followers




196               HISTORY OF FORT tWAYNE.
to terms or battle. Before quitting his camp, however, on the 29th,
he sent twenty-four Miami chiefs forward to the Prophet, upon a similar errand to that for which the IDelawares had visited him; but not
having returned as he had expected, le concluded they had joined the
Prophet's forces. Accordingly, on the 6th of November, at the head
of about one thousand troops, Gov. Harrison took up his line of mnarch
for Tippecanoe. Desirous still to know whether the Prophet would
come to terms, the Governor, when within a short distance of the town,
sent forward a captain, and interpreter to learn what course the Prophet would pursue. But the Indians, on seeing these, only endeavoredl
to take them prisoners, and they found it difficult to make their escape; and one of the sentinels of the army had been shot by the Indians. The Governor now determined to treat the Prophet and his
followers as enemies, and again resumed his march upon them. But
before he had gained the village, the army was met by a deputation
from the Prophet, enquiring for what purpose they were thus advancing upon the town; insisting that they were anxious for peace, and
that they had sent messages by the Miaiami and the Pottawattamie
chiefs, stating to the Governor this desire.*  At this a suspension of
hostilities was agreed upon, and arrangements for a meeting submitted
to take place the following day, the Governor telling them that he
would move on with the army to the Wabash, and take up his encampment for the night. Having found a suitable place for rendezvous,
near a creek, about three-fourths of a mile to the north of the town,
and made all necessary arrangement for action, should an attack be
made, the army took up its quarters for the night.
In approaching the town, the Indians, not being aware of the purposes of the commanding officers of the army to find a suitable place
for encampment, ran out and cried to the advanced corps to halt, but
the governor riding up, assured the Indians that his purpose was not
to attack them, and, in response to questions, as to a favorable place
for encampment, told the officers of a suitable one upon the creek they
had, but a little time before, crossed, which point was soon after chosen.
for the encampment of the army.
The night proved dark and cloudy. The moon rose late, and a
drizzling rain fell. Many of the men had anticipated a battle, and
were not much pleased that they had not been permitted to engage the
Indians in a fight, and were fearful that they might have to return
without a " brush" with thenm; and, accordingly, had but little anticipation of an attack from them, although Colonel Daveiss had been
heard to say that he had no doubt that an attack would be made before morning.- And true enough,-according to his habit, Governor
Harrison being astir, getting his men under arms,-about four o'clock
in the morning, it was discovered and made known that the Indians
had stealthily " crept so near the sentries as to hear them challenge
*The Miami chiefs, in returning to the Governor, from their mission to the Prophet, had
started on their return by way of the south aidc of the Wabash, and had accordingly lost
Figght t rn   armtyv M3-La.                         tM'Afee.,




T..rE BATTLE OE' TIPPECANOE.                197
when relieved;" their aim being to rush upon the sentries before they
could fire. But an Indian being observed by one of the guards, as the
foirmer crept through the grass, the latter fired upon the Indian, which
was immediately followed by one of their fierce yells, and then a desperate charge upon the left flank of the encampment, which caused the
guards to give way..The army was now all alive with excitement,
but the men generally stood their ground and fought most bravely, and
t the battle was soon maintained on all sides with desperate valor. The
Indians advanced and retreated by a rattling noise made with deerhoofs," and who also fought with great energy, as if " determined on
victory or death."  The Prophet had told them   the bullets of the
white men. could not hurt them; that the Great Spirit would give them
light, while the efforts of the army of the Americans would be " rendered unavailing," and " involved in thick darkness:" * and taking
his position upon an eminence near, secure from the bullets whizzing
in all directions, he employed his time in singing a war-song, and urging his followers "to fight on," that all would soon be as he had told
them-singing the louder with each assurance.'s
Soon after daylight, the Indians were put to flight in different directions, and the battle was ended-the power of the Prophet was broken,
and the plans of Tecumseh forever frustrated and destroyed.
The force of the Indians was estim:ated at from six hundred to one
thousand; whlie their killed was greater than ever known before. " It's
certain,' says M'Afee, "that ro victory was ever before obtained over
the northern Indians, where the numbers were anything like equal."
It was " their custom," continues he, " always to avoid a close action,
and from their dexterity in biding themselves, but few of them  could
be killed, even when they are pouring destruction into the ranks of
their enemies. It is believed that there were not ten of them killed
at St. Clair's defeat, and still fewer at Braddock's.  At Tippecanoe,
they rushed up to the bayonets of our men, and, in one instance, related by Captain Snelling, an Indian adroitly put the bayonet of a
soldier aside, and clove his head with his war-club, an instrument on
which there is fixed a triangular piece of iron, broad enough to project several inches from the wood. Their conduct, on this occasion,"
continues.M'Afee, " so different from what it usually is. was attributed
to the confidence of succcess with which their Prophet had inspired
them, and to the distinguished bravery of the Winnebago warriors."
The loss of the Americans was sixty killed, and about one hundred and
thirty wounded; among the killed was the distinguished Jo Daveiss,
of Kentucky.'-  The Indians had not determined to attack the camp
*-M'Afee.
tAn uncle of John P. Hedges, Esq., of our city, who was in the engagement, and who
was also badly wounded, avers that the Indians, under the inspiration a.nd assurances of
the Prophet, " went in,"' cutting and slashing " most fearlessly and indifferently; but
that they readily lost faith in him when they saw each other falling, pierced by the
musket and rifle balls of the white men.
tSays a note in Ellis' life of Tecumseh: " Jo Daveiss was, in many respects,'one of
the most remarkable men of his time. As a lawyer he had few equals-being considertd
the father of the Kentucky bar. He was very singular in his habits, traveling his circuit




198                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
until after night-fall. Their original plan was to meet the Governor
in council the next day, and then for two Winnebagoe chiefs,' who
had devoted themselves tod certain death, to accomplish their design,"
were to loiter about the camp after the council had broken up, and,
killing the Governor, a war-whoop from them was to be the signal of a
general attack."
The Indians about the Wabash, after the battle of Tippecanoe, became very cuiet, and most of them returned to their homes and villages.
Among the tribes engaged in this conflict, were the Shawanoes,
Pottawattamies, Winnebagoes, Kickapoos, &c. After the burial of the
dead, and caring for the wounded, the army began its return march
on the 9th of November; and on the 18th Governor Harrison was
welcomed to Vincennes by a body of some two hundred of her citizens;
and in the following month a vote of thanks was tendered him by the
Kentucky legislature.
While the Prophet was engaging the army of Gov. Harrison, Tecumseh was in the south rallying the tribes in behalf of his grand
scheme of confederation, little dreaming that his brother had spoiled
his plans and broken the chain of his wily efforts; and when he returned, he is said to have been so enraged at his brother, upon learning
what he had done, that, in a feeling of great anger, he gathered hold
of the hair of his head, and threatened     to kill him.
Tecumseh now thought of peace; visited Gov. Harrison again, and
wished to call upon the President. as the Governor had suggested, before his journey south; but upon Gov. Harrison not wishing him to
take many of his warriors with him, he refused to visit Washington,
and his conference with the Governor ended for the time, and soon
after made his way to Ft. Wayne, while the Prophet took up his abode
at a village on the Mississinnewa river, about seventy miles southwest of Fort. Wayne.
-which comprised his whole state-in the costume of a hunter, often entering the court
room with his rifle in his hands, at the very moment his case was ready' for hearing.
His extraordinary life was ended at Tippecanoe. He assumed command of a troop of
Kentucky horse, after having been defeatedby Henry Clay, in the effort, as United States
District Attorney to secure the conviction of Aaron Burr."
\   rA.4, ^ 
r'  >\1'br^  ^  (^




C I APTER X VI.
As the das'hilnlg billows lave it e Lteach,
And rush b, i:ck again ilu-1t the deep,
So the war element sought to reach
A frenzied height and kee-p
The West still unbless'd.
Assembling of the Indians at Fort Wayne to receive their annuities-Many of them
fresh from the scene of the late battle of Tippecanoe-Col. John Johnson, Indian
agent here-The old Council-I-oulse-Early scenes-Peaceful protestations of the
Indians-Tecumseh visits Fort BWayne-Failing to obtain ammunition, he gives the
war-whoop and leavcs —Depredations begun again on the frontiers-The Ohio militia called out-Command of the army surrendered to Gen. Hull-Army under Hull
reaches Urbana, Ohio-Triumphal arch erected-Further nmovements of the armyThe Jritish capture an American schooner-Col. Cass sent to demand its surrender
— Gen. Hull proposes to invade Canada-issues a procla)mation-Its effects-Reconnoitering expedition under Perry-Tecumseh joins the British-1Hull retreats from
Canada. and reaches Detroit againl-His surrender to the lBritish-Bitter feelings
against Hull at this result The British plan an expedition ag(ainst Fort WayneSurrender of Miackinaw —-Delay in notifying the Forts —-Situation of Fort Dearborn
('Chicago) —-Maj. Stickney, Indian agent at Fort Wayne, sends an express to Chicago —-Relief proposed for Capt. IHeald, at Fort Dearborn —-Capt. Wells chosen to carry
oat the designs of iMaj. Sticlney —-Wells selects 30) Miami Inians, and leaves Ft.
Wayne for Chicago —- His arrival there —-Situation of affairs —-Wells sees dangcer
ahead —-The fort abanldondc —- With blackenled face, Wells takes the lead —-The
Pottawattamies in amhbuihi —-An attalck —-Brlvery of the troops —-Death of Wells —The Mliamies fly —-The Indians demand a surrender, which is comuplied with —-Their
treachery —-Bra,very of IM[rs. Tealid —-Division of the prisoners —-Wells' heart cut
out anc. eaten by the Indians —-Escape of the prisoners and safe arrival within the
U. S. lines.
— 0
Qc   OME DA YS after t'       batle bate of Tippecani-oe, (on thie 22nd of Nov.,),   the period for the annual meeting of the Indians to receive their
y     lannuities, having arrived, they began to assemble in great numbers to receive their allo;tted portions.     John Johnson, Esq., was
then Indian agent here.
Many of the     chiefs in attendance were   fresh from the scene of the
recent hostilities at Tippecanoe, claiming their respective portions of the
annuity equal with the most peaceful of te iribes —representing that
the Prophet's followers had him in confinement, and purposed taking
his life; that he was chargeable with all their troubles; together with
many other stories of a similar character, all, more or less, in the main,
untrue, especially as regarded the Prophet's confinement, for, at that




200                1hISTORY s   OF EI.Til IWAYSNE,
tifme, he was at full liberty onr the'Miiississinnewa. But the stories presented to Col. Johlnson had thle desired eiffet and le was iaduced thereby to inform thle Governm-nt that the Indt.ias were all favorable to
peace9 and 4 tLt, t 1n fuirther hostjiites sulO  be comi itted  gaU
theml; 9 and?  yet nsays  - MA  ee/, in most of the naltions here assembied
a British fcion  as boiiong to he bri, ano l ready to how  on or
devoted fron tiers, -wherever the.British agen.ts mightt think  roper to
increase the fire o t hei hostility.?
The old co'.Inci-hou.se "was locas teid atboit;the spot now occupied by
Mlichael Hedekin, isq,  Iwas a tvo-story log ui'ldi, about sixty
feet iong, by about twenty wide; and td stoo but  i rt di stalnce to the
south-west of the forts. it wa, in this building the'.gent lived. And
it was often an interesting as well as a painla sight to wtness lthe
tail red men, with.i their paint-ed faces, gai y plumed wvith feathers and
trinkets; their skins in some instances barely covering -their loins, in
others measurably dressed in skhins, or with a belanket wrappedr about
them, sitting in grioups lere iantd there or staiunding at some point recounting' the~i adaventu,,es orv misfortunes;  or;, having drank freely of' fire-waier',"7 iere ventiging their savage ferocity upon eacch other in hard
words or death-blow-s witrh the toIsmahawti  or scalping-knife; the squaws
wandering about with their pappooses to their backs, or sitting about
with their Indian husband.s, al1 awaliting their turns to receive their annuity, or in some way obtain some little favor, if only a pipe or loaf of
wneat bread, at the hands of some pale face or friend. Such was life,
in the vicinity of the council-house and fort here during portions of
many years subsequent to the treaty of Greenville.
The assemblage of the Indians, to receive their alnnuity at the' hands
of Col. Johnson, after the battle of Tippecanoe, consisted principally
of chiefs and head men of the lMiamies, the Delawarest the Pottawatamies, and Shaw anOes. Col. Johnson, oin this occasion, delivered
them a speech, presentin)g the importarce of a aidherence to peaceable
relations on. the part of the tribes and the United States-teiling th-em
that the President was desirous of living in peace and friendship with
themn and that pardon sholcd be gran;ted to any of the hostile tribes
who would put t waiy t+ ei'r ims and Ab peaceable  To' which BlackHoof, a Shatwanoe chief, jresponet d  Ai bhalf of a ll- the tribes present,
assurinhg the Col. that they all professed the strongest desire to avy hold
of the chaLin of peace and frienidship w tih the Unt ed Sitates.  t Twas believed toha t this expression was sincere on the parti oft the Shawanoes
and a large number of the Delawares; but that thile (- iamies and PottavwatLtamies had little or no intention of being penceable after receiving their 1anmnities.' Says iM'A tfee, in his  tor'xy t. b.ate ate  r(1812)
in the'Western Country," page 40, " the Littlie TurUtle of the Miamies,
now in the decline of life and -influence, was the strenlous advocate of'Prior tho he battl of Tippecanoo, the Governor-(General of Canada had informed our
Government that the Iunians were a hostile to the United tte a;e  t it was supposed that
lie led done so with a view only to remove suspicions as to the course of the British, and
to render their intrigues with the Inians the more succet'fal.  tiM'Afee.








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SKETCH COF LI0JXLE rjsl EtjLA — H, DA. 
peace, but the majority of his people followed the counsels of Tecumn seh.."
The Indians now madJe many pretentions to peace.            Stone-Eater,
with others, visited Fort H-Iai   sonx   c and delivered a talik to Capt. Snelling, who, with a simall detachment, had talen possession of tIhat post
after the battle of Tippecanoe.      After professing much friendship,
they visited Vincennes, and he told the Governor of tiheir contrition at
what had happened, and professed a stro:?lg desire for fi'iendship, promising to punish the Prophet, or deliver him up to the          nited States,
as soon as they could get hold of hin; and soon after returrned to their
homes.d    Visits were now   frequent to see the Grovernor at Vincennes;:'It was on the 14th of July of this year (1812) tht thte famous Little Turtle died in his
1 odge at the old orchard, a short distance north of the confluence of the St. Mary and
St. Joseph, in the yard fronting the house of his brother-in-!law, Capt. in. ~We!s. l  urtle had suffered for many months previous with the gout, and came here from his place
of residence, at Little Turtle village, on Eel river, about 20 miles north-west of Fort
Wayne, to be treated by the U. S. Surgeon at the fort.
It was a solemn and interesting occasion. After the treaty of Greenville, Turtle had
remained the true and faithful friend of the Americans and the U. S. Government, and
was much beloved and respected by all who knew him. Tecumseh strove hard to gain
his confidence and aid, but without effect, for nothing could move him from his purpose,
of peace and good-will towards the Americans.
In the language of one who was present at his burial: "HIis body was borne to the
grave with the highest honors, by his great enemy, the white man. The muffled drum,
the solemn march, the funeral salute, announced that a great soldier had fallen, and
even enemies-paid tribute to his rmemory."
His remains were interred about the cen ter of the old orchard, with all his adornments,
implements of war, a sword, presented to him by General Washington, together with a
medal, with the likeness of Washington thercon, —-all laid by the side of the body, and
hidden beneath the sod in one common grave. The exact spot of his grave is still known
to some of the early settlers of Fort Wayne, who still survive among us, Mr. J. P.
I-edges among the number.
Turtle had a somewhat remarkable mind.'Was, for many years, the leading spirit
hete, —-unsurpassed for bravery and intelligence, perhaps, by none of his race. Of a
very inquiring turn of mind, he never lost an opportunity to gain some valuable information, upon almost every subject or object that attracted his attention; and sought by
every means in his power, during the latter days of his life, to relieve his people from every debasing habit — encouraging them only in the more peaceful, sober, and industrial relations of life.
In 1797, accompanied by Captain Wells, he visited Philadelphia, where he enjoyed
the society of the distinguished Cou nt; olney, and the Polish patriot, Kiosciusko, and
others. While in Philadelphia, at this period, le had his portrait taken, by order of
the President. Stopping at the same hIouse with Turtle, in Philadelpha, was an Irish
Pentle man, somewhat remarkable as wit, who made it a point to "pok.: fun " at the
1urtle whenever an occason oonfered. The Irish gentleman and Turtle happening to
mleet one morning in the studio of Stewart, the atriist engaged in paintingi each of their
portraits, the Irishman,observing Turtle in a rather unusually thoughtful mood, began to
rally him upon his sober demeanor, and suggested, through Captain Wells, that It was
because of his inability to co)e with him in the jocular contest. At this the Turtle
brightened up. "IHe mistakes," said the Turtle, to Cz.ptain Wells, in reply;' I was
just thinking of proposing to this man (the painter) to paint us both. on one noard, and
here I would stand, face to face with him, and confound him to all eternity."
Little Turtle was of mixed origin-half lMohican and half Miami-and the son of a
chief; born at his village, on Eel River, about the year 1747, and very early became the
war-chief of the Miamies. In stature, he was short, well built, with symmetictal form
-preomrieit forehead, heavy eye brows, keen, black eyes, and a large chin.
Such was Little Turtle, (Me-che-kan-nah-qusah)-the bravest among. the brave, and
wisest among the wide of the Indians of the Northwest of his day-leading an army of
braves to sure victory one hour-cutting and slashing, as with the ferocity of a ti er, at
onemoment,-and as passive and gentle as a child the next. Ever may his gentler and
better deeds be perpletuated by the American people.




C-o r....r
202                HSlTO' Y O'F'OE T WAYINE.
but Tecumsell and the Pro'phet~ who were klnown to be still hostile,
kept away, an' this readily led to the conclusion that but little reliance was to be placed upon what was said by many visiting the Governor, and others in authority, as agents and commandants.
Tecumsehl made his appearance at Fort,'Vayne sometime during
the month of December, soon after his return f'rom the south. The
result of his brother's eiforts had effected him deeply. He seemed
to know not which 1cay t to turn. IHis scheme w'as broken, but his
great will still bore him aloft over the impediments that had accumulated in his path-vray; and yet he was for w-' ar-for frieedomr-for
the extermination of the white race that occupied the ancient hunting ground of his fathers. His air was haughty; and, says McAfee,
fie was still " obstinate in the opinions he had embraced. He made
bitter reproIaches ag ainst -larrrison; and, at the same time, had the
presumption to demand amnunition ifrom the con mmandant (here),
which was refused hin. He then said he wTould go to his British
father, who Awould not deny him. He appeared thoughtful a while,
then gave the war-whoopl and went of-F.'
Such was the spirit in which Teclumseh leflt -Fort VWayne on this
memorable occasion; and' early in the spring of 1812, he and his
party began to put their threats into execution. Small parties began to commit depredations on the frontiers of the Indiana and I1linois Territories, and part of Ohio. Twenty scalps were taken in
the Indiana Territory alone before the first of June; and the people
were thus compelled to protect themselves by going into forts along
the fiontiers. Volunteer companies of militia were organized, and
the Indians were -frequently pursued, but generally without success,
as they fled at once after committing their depredations. Governor
Harrison asked permission of the war department to raise a mounted
force to penetrate to their towns, with a view of chastising them.
But this was refused: the g overnment hesitating to disturb them in
that way at that t'L- ie, fearing least they would take a more active
part with the British. Tippecanoe was again occupied, and there
the Indians were ageain planting their conc By vigorous measures," says BiAfee, 6' we imight have beaten them into peaceable
deportment and respect. Mr. Secretary Eustis, of the war departnment, thought differently; and while he was attempting to soothe
theml with good words, they were laughing aft his credulity. To
maintain peace with an indian," continues the same r writer, " it is necessary to adopt his own principles, and punish every aggression
promptly, and thus convince him that you are a 2man, and not a
Thus stood affairs in the early part of June, 181'2; and by the
18th of that mlonth, matters had so fair approached a war basis between Great Britain and the United States —an issue that had for
some months prior been anticipated-that the American Government had announced a declaration of war aggainst the Eng-lish government. As early as the month of April an embargo was levied




IMOvEMENT OF THE ARMY UNDER HULL.        203
by Congress on all the shipping in ports of the U. S., andll.1 an act
authorizing the President to detach one hundred. thousand militia
for six months," was adopted and put into force; while several other
acts, authorizing the recruiting of a regular army, were likewise
passsd, and the masses were all astir with the feeling and anticipation of war.
During this month the President made a requisition on the State
of Ohio for twelve hundred militia, and the famous 4th regimuent,
under command of Col. Miller, which had sonmetime before been
ordered to the relief of Vincennes, was now ordered to Cincinnatii
to join the militia. The Ohio militia had been soon raised, and
were ordered by Governor Meigs, of that State, to rendezvous on
the.2:9th of April, at DayJton, at the mouth of Mad river, on the Big
Miami. As previously directed by the Secretary of War, on the
25th of May following, Gov.,M eigs surrendered the command of the
army to General Hull, for sometime previously Governor of lMichigan Territory, but who, a short time previous to this period, had
been appointed a Brigadier-general in the United States army.
From Dayton the army under Hull took up its line of march for
Staunton on the first of June. From  Staunton they marched to
Urbana. Here, on the 8th, says M'Afee, they were inforned that
they would be met that day on parade, by the governor, accompanied by many distinguished citizens and some Indian chiefs. On
the following day, governor Meigs and general Iull1 held a council
with twelve chiefs, of the Shawanoe, Mingoe, and Wyandot nations,
to obtain leave from them to march the army through their territory, and to erect such forts as might be deemed necessary; which
was promptly granted by them, and every'assistance which they
cold give the army in the wilderness was promised  Gov. GO ieiogs
had held a council with these Indians on. the 6th, in which it was
agreed to adhere to the treaty of Greenville.
On the 10th of June, the 4th regiment, under Col. Miiller, made
its appearance at Urbana, and wvere escorted into camp through a
triumphal arch, adorned with an eagle, and inscribed with the
words, " TIPPECANOE-GLOPY." 9
From Urbana the army, on the 16th, moved as:fr as Kiing's
Creek, and from this point opened a road as far as the Sciota, where
they built two block-houses, which they called Fort M'Arthur, in
honor of the officer whose regiment had opened the road. To this
fort the whole army came on the 19th, and on the 21st Ool. Findley
was ordered to open the road. as far as Blanchard's fork, on the Auglaize, whither the army, excepting a guard left at Fort M'Arthur,
again followed on the 22d. Here, amid rain and mud, another
block-house was erected, which was called Fort Necessity. From
Fort Necessity the army soon after moved to Blanchard's fork,
where Col. Findley had built a block-house, which was called in
honor of that officer. A road was shortly after, under command of
*M'Afee.




{4)4 IISTromY OF' 0FRT WA Ii'.
Col. Cass, cut to the rapids, and the main army soon encamped on
the banks of the MAaurmee, opposite the old battle ground of Gen.
Wayne, in sight of the village then at the foot of the Rapids, which
lad the effect to greatly revive the feelings of the soldiers after
their tedious march through the wilderness. From this point, after
a day or two's rest, the army moved dowvn just below the old British
fort Miami, from which the Indians had been so long supplied with
ammunition, etc., before their defeat in that quarter, in 1794.
From here, about the last of June, a small schooner was dispacthed to Detroit, with about thirty officers and privates, with the
muster-rolls of the different companies, accompanied by an open
boat, in which were a number of sick soldiers. Fears had previously been entertained that tlhe boat would be captured, but General H-ull insisted on its departure. In the meantime, the army
had again taken up its march, and was to halt again at the river
Raisin, whither, upon its arrival there, the army soon learned that
the schooner, in attempting to pass Malden, had been captured by
the British. The declaration of war was now generally known.
From the river Raisin, the army proceeded to the River Huron,
fifteen miles, over which narrow stream, on the 4th of July, they'built a bridge. From this point, on the 5th, the army proceeded
towards Detroit, and soon formed an encampment within view of
the place. The northwestern posts were now informed of the declaration of war; and the commanding officers of Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michillimaclkinaw, and Chicago, were ordered by Gen. Hull
to place their garrisons "in the best possible state of defence," without delay, and to " make a return to Brigade Major Jessup, at Detroit, of the quantity of provisions the contractor had on hand at
their respective posts, tlhe number of officers and men, ordnance,
and military stores of every kind, and the public property of all
kinds."*
On the 6th, Col. Cass was sent with a flag of truce to Malden to
demand the prisoners and baggage of the captured schooner; but
his demands were not respected, and, being blindfolded, soon, after
returned to camp with a British officer. The army now, with a view
to safety, should the English commence a bombardment, removed
to the rear of Detroit.
General Hull now conceived the plan of an invasion of Canada,
and on the morning of the 12th of July, the British having moved
from their former position towiards Malden, in fear of loosing that
point, the regiments of Cols. Miller and Cass, at a point about a mile
above Detroit, successfully gained the Canadian shore, and soon
after, followed by General Hull and others, the stars and stripes were
run up from a brick dwelling on the farm of a British officer, by
the name of Bamlbee, and on the same day, General Hull issued his
noted proclamation to the inhabitants of Canada, in which he requested the Canadians to remain quiet; to pursue their usual veca* Order of General Hull.




SURRENDER OF DETROIT.              205
tions, etc.; assuring them that he " came to find enemies, not to make
them. I come to protect, not to injure you. Separated by an immense ocean and an extensive wilderness from great Britain," said
he, you have no participation in her councils, no interest in her
conduct. You have felt her tyranny; you have seen her injustice;
but I do not ask you to avenge the one or to redress the other."
The effect of the proclamation was most salutary' for the time
-many of the inhabitants of Sandwich returning to their dwellings
again from the woods, whither they had fled on the approach of the
American forces, having been told by the British officers, much
like the inhabitants of Kaskaskia, at the time of Clark:s movements
in the west, that the Americans were an army of cannibals,-worse
than savages.
With about forty men, on the 13th, Capt. Ulry was sent on a reconnoitering expedition in the direction of Malden, and, upon approaching a partially destroyed bridgre extending over Turkey Creek,
some nine miles fiom camp, he discovered a party of some two hundred Indians lying in ambulsh intending, it possible, to cut off any
detachment thatmit aiht  pproach. A  Canadian had informed.
Capt. Ulry that a great number of Indians were in the region, and
being fearful that lie might be encountered by a superior number,
he at once returned to camp.
From the time of his abrupt departure from Fort Wa yne, up to
the breaking out of the war of 1812, Tecumiseh had been most active against the Americans, spiriting up the Indians at various
points; and, from the first hostile movements of the British, had
allied himself to their cause, and begun to take a most active part
with the enemy, who soon made him a brigadier-general in their
army. In August, at the head of a party of Shawanoes, accompanied by a number of British soldiers, he made an attack upon a
company of Ohio militia sent by General Hull to escort some volunteers engaged in bringing supplies for the army, which occurred
at Brownstown, and was the first action that took place after the
declaration of war had been made. Tecumseh and his party had
succeeded in drawing the company in ambush, and the loss sustained by the company was considerable, and were resolutely followed by Tecumseh in their retreat towards the river De Corce.
And it was about this time that General Hull retreated from Canada, and again took up his headquarters at Detroit. On the 16th of
August, this post was surrendered by General Hull to a British
force, consisting of some seven hundred troops, and about six hundred Indians, under command of General. Brock, which placed not
only the garrison at Detroit, but the whole territory, including all
its forts and garrisons, in the hands of the British, which was a matter of asgreat astonishment to the British as the Americans. Said
General Brock, in writing to his superior officer, after this event,
6 When I detail my good fortune, you will be astonished.."'1e feelingo among the officers.andt privates at this result w;a




20 6              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNT.
very great, and brought down upon the head of Gen. Hull a shower
of hard words from many directions; although General Hull, while
Governor of Michigan, previous to his military appointment, had
suggested to the war department the importance of having a superior naval force on Lake Erie, as an auxiliary in the capture of Upper Canada, stating that the object could not be effected without it,
besides pointing out many obstacles that would necessarily attend a
different course of action. And at another time advised, strongly,
the erection of a navy on the lakes. At the time of the surrender,
however, Hlulls force was superior to that of the British.
Soon after the conclusion of the capitulation at Detroit, an expedition was planned by the British against Fort Wayne.
The garrison at Mackinaw not having received the order of Gen.
I-lull, as written about the 5th of July, relating to the declaration of
war, putting the several forts mentioned in the best defence, etc.,
this post was surrendered on the 17th of that month, which had the
effect to cut off all offensive operations in Upper Canada, and caused
Gen'er-al Hu]-Ill to ifeel much alarm, saying that "the whole northern
hordes of Indians would be let loose upon them." The loss of
Mackinaw was at once considered a great impediment to the American cause, for the surrender of which General Hull was greatly
censured, because of his delay in forwarding the general order
m ade out about the 5th of July. And Fort Dearborn, at Chicago,
haiL suffered a similar neglect, and was in an equally hazzardous
position to that of Mlackinaw before its capture. Towards the last
of 3uly, General Hull began to ihink seriously of the situation of
the Chicaogo Fort, and the relief of the garrison. Capt. Heald, its
commandant, with his family, were now being surrounded by a
furious party of Indians in communication with Tecumseh, who,
though not yet attempting any acts of violence upon the inmates,
were yet only awaiting the necessary encouragement from  the
enemy.
With this feeling upon him, General Hull, towards the latter part
of July, sent an express to Fort Wayne with a view to the immediate relief of Captain Heald and his command at Chicago.
Major B. F. Stickney was then Indian agent at Fort Wayne, and
the express sent here for the purpose of relief to the Chicago fort,
brought a request from Gen. Hull that Major Stickney at once extend to Captain Heald all the information, assistance, and advice
within his power, inclosing in his letter to Major Stickney " an order to Captain Heald to accept of such aid, and to conform to such
instructions as he might receive from the Indian agent " at Fort
Wayne.
Instructions were accordingly prepared by M'ajor Stickney to accompany the order of General Hull, and an Indian agent dispatched
to Chicago. Among the contents of the letter forwarded to Captain IHeald, he was promised military aid as soon as it was possible
to render it.




CAPT. WELLS SENT TO THE RRLIEF- OF FORT DEARBOERN.   207
Captain Willinai. Wells, the brother-.in-law of Little Turtle, was
at this time sub-Indian agent here. He had lived among the Indians from his youth to an advanced ageo  was then, as before, a
great favorite with the M.iiamies, and accounted. a "'perfect master
of every thing pertaining to Indian life, both in peace and war, and
withal a stranoer to personal fear;' -was replete with a knowledge of Indian strategy; and, says LMajor Stickney, "if General
Wayne desired a prisoner, to obtain informationn Captain Wells
could always furnish one.`
Wells was the rman for the work, and M:ajor Sticklney readiy hit
upon him to lead a, party to the aid of Co' tai'on ieald.:avinoproposed the matter to Captain Wells, Major Stic kney at once suggested the raisir-o, of thirty warriors to accomxpa ny him. WVith
Wells, the liaimiers weree his:aavorites, a.nd fromn am.rong their tribe
hle selected the number required..  The Fott, awatuaines wereo now
known to be in the vicinitv of Chicao, and t he fact of'Vells being
a favorite with the Mil lises, made thle former tribe unfriendly towards him, there hLaving iong existed an unfrienudly feeling betweenD
the Miamies and( tihe Pottarc attamaies. So that Wells position was
at best,-should t'roulbl arise upoln their a rivalt Fort Dearborn,a most precarious onl., a fa ct that he wacs by no means unaclquainted withl, bht his -fea less nature read:ily threw -im into the opposite
scale of undaunted determination, and on the 3d o.f August, with his
braves well equippedi by the agent, all in rea.diness, he set out, frill
of hope and cou(ra0ge, for thfe reloef of tohe'igrrisou1 st  hicahgoi
whither they arriv ed on the 12th of the imonth.
Wells and his party b ad not been long at the fort before he discovered unmistakablle evidences of cominc trouble. For some days
a large number o'f Po.ttawattaimiies an.d Winnebagoes, professinS
friendship, ha, d ben enc camped abou, tihe ort;. and i'or some time
Tecumseh and the British, t herounog  tcir runners, had kept up a
regular correspondence with the Indians in tihe locality, who had.
only been awaiting the result at?Maalcden in order to join one side or
the other. On the niohlt of the 14.th a runner having arrived amono
the Indians there wivtLththe news fromn Tecumseh that Major Vanhorn had been defeatecd at Brownstown; that the 3army under Hull
had returned to Detroit; and that there was every hope and prospect of success, tihe Indians about the region were at once decided
to join the British, and resolved to remain no longer inactive."
Wells was warmly attached to Captain Heald. The latter had
married his niece, and- she was with her lusband, to share alike the
dangers and vicissitudes that surrounded them.
On the arrival, of W ells and his vwarriors at the fort, Capt. Heald
told Wells that he.had received the dispatch from the agent at 7o0rt
Wa ayne, wVith. the ord er of General Ful l; that, on its receipt'.e.adcalled together all thelJ Incdian warriors in his inineighborhood, and,
had entered into a tri atv with them  Tihe leadin)g terms were, that
*'A fee,




208                HISTORY OF FORT WAYE.
he mwas to deliver up to the Indians, the Fort with all its contents,
except arms, ammunition and provisions necessary for their march
to Fort Wayne. The Indians on their part were to permit him to
pass unmolested. Wells at once protested against the terms of the
treaty. There was a large quantity of ammunition and whisky in
the Fort. These, he declared, they should not have. He urged,
that if the Indians had the whisky they would get drunk, and pay
no regard to the treaty; and he was for throwing the ammunition
and whisky into the Lake. The Indians learned what was going
on in the Fort, and determined to attack Heald and his party, at
the first convenient point, after they should leave the Fort. Wells
unlderstood Indian character so perfectly that he was aware of their
intentions at a glance.
As soon as it was daybreak, Wells saw that the tomahawk was
sharpening for themt, and told Heaid they must be off as quick as
possible, hopino to move before the Indians wvere ready for them.
No time was to be lost. To-pee-nee-bee, a chief ofthe St. Joseph s
bcand, h.ad, early in the morn'ini,;, informed a M r. Kinnzie of the mischief that was intendeed by the Pottawattamies, who had engaged
to escort the detachlment; and urged him to relinquish his design
of accompanyingo the troops by land, promising himr tlhaft the boat
containing himself and family should be permitted to pass in safety
to the St. Joseph^s, which was declined by \Mr. K., on the ground
t'hat his presence might operate as a restraint upon the fury of the
savages, so warnmly were the greater part them attached to himself
and family.*
As the troops marched out, on the morning of the 15th, the band
struck up the Dead March, as if some invisible force had impressed upon them the inevitable fate many of them were soon to
meet; and on they moved, solemn and thoughtful, in military array,
Captain Wells taking the lead, at the head of his little band of Miami warriors, his face blackened, "in token of his impending fate."
Taking their route along the lake shore, as they gained a range of
sand-hills lying between the prairie and the beach, the escort of
Pottawattamies, somne five hundred in number, instead of continuing
along the beach with the Americans and Miamies, kept the level of
the prairie, and had marched perhaps about a mile and a half,
when Capt.'Wells, who had rode a little in advance with the Miamies, suddenly came galloping back, exclaiming:'They are about
to attack us; form instantly, and charge upon them,:" telling his
niece not to be alarmed; that " they would not hurt her, but that
he would be killed."t And no sooner had he ceased to speak, than
a volley was fired from among the sand-hills. The troops being
now hastily brought into line, they charged rapidly up the bank. A
veteran, of some seventy years, was the first to fall. Capt. Wells
soon fell, "pierced with many balls;" and in the words of one of
the party, (Mrs. Kinzie), " Pee-so-tum n  held dangling in his
a-';   Bun, or Early da vi  the o) t lt' w es't. " W   Mi.  B. F. Stie kniey.




BRAVEBY AND WISDiOM OF MIRS. H-EALD.        209
hrtand a scalp, which, by the bla ck ribbon around. the qleue, I recognized asthat of Capt. W~ells."'Their leader now being killed,
the Miamies fled; one of their chiefs, however, befr e leavinvg the
scene of disaste"r, riding up to the lPottawattamies, ancd exclaiming;
to them in pretty strong terms: "  lou have deceived the Anmericans and us. You have doe a bad action, and (brandishing his
tomahawk), I will be the the first to head a party of Amlericans to
return and punish your treachery;" and thlen g.llope.raway over
the prairie in pursuit oi: his companions, who were rapidly making
their way back towards Fort Wayne,
"The troops," says Mirs. Kinzie,:'"behaved most gallantly. They
were but a handful; 7but they seemed resolved to sell their lives,as
dearly as posssible. Our horses pranced and bounded, and could
ihardly be restrained, as the balls whistled among theml."
The Indians ma,de several desperate attempts to rush upon and
tomtahawk the soldiers, but every such effort was bravely repulsed
by themi. Several women a1nd children were Milled; and the ranks
at length became so reduced a.s not to exceed twenty effective men;
yet they were undaunted. and resolute, and remainLned united while
table to fire.  iaving now wit, hdrawn some distRnce from their former position: the Indians sent a small French hoy to demand a
surrelrnder. Th'e boy was Capt. Heald.s interpreter-, vho had deserted to the'de of thLe Indians in the e,,rly part of lte enoagcment, Advancing' very cautiously to-wards the Alnmerians, a L' r.
Gri.fith advanced to meet him, intending to k il himi for his coindnct in deserting;;butl the boy declaring thaL it was the only way he
could save himself, and at tie same time appearing' quite sorry tor
havin.g  been oblioed to act as he did, he was perrmitted to come for-.wa rd. He said the Indians proposed to spare te lives of the
Americans if they would surrender. iBut the surviving' soldiers aill
re jeeted it. Conveyino their determination to the ILndians, he soon
returned, sayicng the Indtians were very lnume:rous, antd stoncly, rged  r. Grifithh to use 1hi endeavors to brino'g Clo  a s.rrender, which was at length consented to: and thie -men having ]aid 
down their arm.1s, the Indians at once camne forward to receive them;
when, in the face of their promise, th6y tomahavwked three or four
of the men; and one Indian, it is stated., Xwit the fury of a denmon
approacheed Mrso H-eald-, with his tomahaswk raised to strike her,
Illuch accustomed to danger, and being' well acnquainted with Indian character, with rem arkable presence of nind, she looked him.
earnestly in the face, and, smiling, said;'Surely you will not kill.
a. sqcuaw."  Her'" action, suited to the word,"' had the desired effect.
The Indian's arm fell; his savage resolution was broken; and a
moment more ssaw, the heroic a(nd thoughtfful Mirs. Heald untder the
protection of the barbarous hand that vwas about to rob her of life.
Mrs. Heald was the daugnhter of General Samuel W1ells of Kentucky, wh.o fonougt mrost'vitly at tsthe ba ttie of'T ippecanoe apainst;'" Early Day in thl Northwetl," pogei 24 al(nd 225.  (14)




210                  HIISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
the followers of the Prophet. Captain Wells' head was cut off and
his heart taken out and eaten by the Indians."?'
In accordance with their ancient custom, the Indians now devided the prisoners. Captain Heald, Mrs. Heald, and Mlr. Griffith
being selected by the Ottawas, were taken by this band on the
lake, beyond the mouth of the river St. Joseph. Having been severely wounded, they considered their fate as inevitably sealed;
but some angelic arm seem to have been stretched forth to aid them
when least expected; and one day, Griffith's eye accidently fell
upon a canoe, at a convenient point, sufficiently large to hold them
all; and one night, soon after, they succeeded in making their escape, traversing the lake in this frail bark some two hundred miles
to Mackinaw, where the British commandant enabled them to reach
the United States in safety.
* As the character of Wells was unequalled for bravery, after his, death the Indians
took his heart from his body, cooked it, and divided it among themselves in very small
pieces. They religiously belived, that each one who ate of it, would thereby become
as brave as he from whom it wras taken.-Stickney.:2il 




CHAPTER XVII.
What heroism! what perils then!
How true of heart and strong of hand;
How earnest, resolute those pioneer MEN!
K        -     -   * N    -N
The Indians greatly eLmboldened by their success at Chicago-The followers of Tecumse! threaten to exterminate the t ibes refusing to aid their cause-Tecumseh's usefulness to the British-Tecumseh's scheme of the siege and massacre of Forts Wayne
and Harrison —Renewal of the war-Ohio and IKentucky aroused-Col. John Allen-The Pottawattamies after the evacuation of Fort DJearborn-Preparations for
the siege of Forts Wayne and Harrison-Antonie Bondie-The secret of the intended siege and massacre of Fort Wayne disclosed-Doubts as to its correctnessMajor Stickney dispatches a messenger to Gov. Halrison-Active preparation for
defense —Illness of Major Stickney-I:ndians prowling about the fort-Death of
Steplhen Johnston-A period of great peril-The siegee beaun-A stratagem-The
Indians desire to gain an entrance into the fort-They ask for a signal-Thirteen
of them admitted-Their plot frustrated-Winnemac and Captain Rhea-Two
soldiers shot by the Indians-Perilous adventure of Wm. Oliver and some Indian guidces-lThe garrison learns of the movements of Gov. Harrison-The army
on its march -for the relief of Fort Wayne-Gov. Harrison elected a Major-general
-Ducking a soldier-The army at St. Mary's-Richard M. Johnson leads a corps
of mounted volunteers to the relief of Fort Wayne —Logan, the half-breed, accepted
as a spy-Incidents on the route of the army down the St. Mary-A court-martial
-The hialloos of the Indians taken as a signal of the approach of the army-Great
rejoicing in the Fort-The "i Key of the West" again unlocks the door of success.
HE SUCCESS       of the Indians at Chicago, gave them         great
courage, and emboldened them for still greater efforts for the
9 overthrow  of the whites, or driving     them beyond the Ohio.
With few exceptions, the tribes were now, from the disasters at
Detroit, in the capture there of the large army under Hull, and
the previous surrender of Mackinaw, determined in their course,
and. were every where more or less inclined to the British interest.
The few tribes continuing fiiendly to the United States, were soon
threatened by the followers of Tecuamseh with extermination, who
was now fast bringing his great schemie to an issue, by the aid of
the English.    Possessing a most excellent memory, and being well
acquainted with every important position in the northwest, he was
readily enabled to point out to the British many important advantages.   Before crossing to Detroit, at the time of Hull's surrender




212               E ISTOrE OF FORT WAYNE.
General Brock toolk occasion to enquire of Tecumseh what sort. of
a country he should have to pass over, should he conclude to go
beyond. Taking a roll of elm bark, and extending it on the ground
by means of four stones, Tecumseh drew his scalping-knife, and at
once began to etch upon the bark the position of the country, embracing its hills, roads, rivers, morasses, and woods, which, being a
demonstration of talent quite unexpected in Tecumseh, had the effect to please General Brock very much, and readily won for him
the confidence of the commanding-general. His position and influence-strengthened by the British, and joined by a numerous
ally of his own blood-were now formidable, and he was determined to render them as potent as his strength and advantages
would permit, destined, however, at last to fall.
His great plan was now the sieoe and massacre of Forts Wayne
and Harrison. The Pottawattamies and Ottawas, as at Chicago,
aided by the British, under Major Muir, were to be the leading
spirits in the movement upon Fort Wayne, while the Winnebagoes, and a portion of the Miamies, who had been persuaded to
join the Tecumseh party, were to surprise and capture Fort Harrison; and had appointed the first of September as the earliest period of attack.
The government, in the meantime, had begun most active
measures for the renewal and prosecution of the wart From the
first, the President, had disapproved the armistice at Detroit, and
the thought of an invasion of Canada' by the strait of Niagfara, was
soon upon the breeze of public expectation, and the British commander, General Brock, had early he.ard the rumor.
Ohio and Kentucky upon the receipt of the news of Hull's situation at Detroit, were soon aroused to the highest sense of patriotic determination. The governor of Ohio at once ordered the remnaining portion of the detached -ilitia of his State, numberino
some twelve hundred men, to be formed and marched to Urbanaj
under command of brigadier-general Tupper; while the Secretary
of War had previously called on Governor Scott, of Kentucky, for
a body of fifteen hundYed men, embracing also the regulars previously enlisted in that State. In the early part of May, the governor
of Kentucky, in accordance with instructions from the war department, had organized ten regiments, of some five thousand five hundred men, as the quota of that State. Among the many patriotic
*men who so eagerly joined the standard of their country, in K;entucky, was Colonel JfOH ALLEN, who took command of a rifle regiment. HIe was alawyer of much distinction at the Kentucky bar,
and combined many eminent and endearing qualities as a private
citizen of that State. Allen county was so named after him.
After the massacre of Chicago, those Pottawattamies engaged in
it spent some weeks about Fort Deai:born, and divided the spoils
which hiad been given tlhem at the time it was forsaken. They then
retired to their villages on the St. Joseph of Lake Mbichigan, where




THE SCHEME FOR THE MASSACRE OF FORT WAYNE.     213
they were assembled in council by British emissaries, and at their
instigation determined upon a simultaneous movement to lay siege
to Forts Wayne and Harrison. The British agents promised, that in
case the Indians would besiege those forts, and prevent their evacuation by'the garrisons, they should be joined, in one moon, by a
large British force from Malden and Detroit, with artilery, who
would be able to demolish the stockades, and would give up the
garrison to massacre and spoil. Their success in these enterprises,
it was but too evident, would have exposed the whole frontier to
devastation, and the plans of Tecumseh were all looking to the
consummation of this end. The siege was to be commenced in
twenty days after the council adjourned.
At this time, there was an Indian trader residing near Fort Wayne,
of French extraction, by the name of Antonie Bondie. He was
about fifty years of age, and had lived among the Indians from the
time he was twelve years old. He was an extraordinary character.
At one time he would appear to be brave and generous, at another
meanly selfish. He was recognized by the Miamies as one of their
tribe-married one of their scuaws, and conformed to their habits
and mode of life. The hostile Pottawattamies, desirous of saving
him from the destruction which they contemplated for the garrison,
sent Metea, chief of their tribe, to inform him of their intentions
and his danger. Metea went to his cabin in the night, and under an
injunction of great secrecy, informed him of all that had transpired
in relation to the contemplated siege of the two forts. He offered
to come for Bondie and his family, before the siege was commenced, with a sufficient number of pack horses to remove them
and their moveable property to a place of safety. Bondie did not
decline the offer.
The morning after Metea had made this revelation, Bondie, accompanied by Charles Peltier, a French interpreter, went to the
agent (Stickney) very early, and with many injunctions of secrecy,
informed him of it all. The agent was thankfil for their information; but doubtful whether to credit or rej ect it, as any mistake in
a matter of so much importance, either way, would prove ruinous to
his character, and cause his disgraceful ejection from the important offiee which he held. He had been but three months in office
or in the country, and was acquainted with but few persons. The
character of Bondie was not known to him, and the nature of his
communication such as to require great secrecy, and if true, immediate preparation for the defence of the fort. Stickney sent a note
to Rhea, the commianding officer of the garrison, desiring a meeting with him in the open esplanade of the fort, where there could be
no one to overhear what might be said. This officer having been
long in the country, had every opportunity of knowing Bondie. He
met the agent, heard his communication, and dismissed it, by observing that Bondie was a trifling fellow, and no reliance could be
placed upon what he said. This increased the perplexity of the




214              IIsTORY OF FORT W~AYNE.
agent. He sent for Bondie and his interpreter, to have a cross examination. This being completed, it remained for the agent either
to pass the matter without notice, and incur the chances of the
siege of the Indians against the two posts, to be followed by a regular force of British troops, with artillery, without any preparation
for defence or relief from abroad, oir to report the information,
without attaching to it his official belief in its correctness, which
would have no effect. In weighing and comparing chances and
consequences, he determined that it was better that he should be
ruined in his reputation, and the government suffer all sacrifices,
consequent upon the falsity of the report, than that they should
both suffer if it proved true. -1e, therefore, sent a second time to
Capt. Rhea, and declared his intention to make the report, and give
it the sanction of his belief in its correctness. He informed him
that he had just received a dispatch from Governor Harrison, from
Vincennes, saying that he was going to Cincinnati, where he must
be addressed, if necessary, and that he should send an express.to
him, directed to that city, and another to Captain Taylor, the commanding officer at Fort Harrison. He then returned to his office
and commenced making immediate preparations for acquainting
Gov. Harrison with the information he had received regarding the9
contemplated siege of the fort. When nearly ready to dispatch
his messenger, Capt. Rhea sent a note to him requesting that he
would delay his express to Cincinnati, until he could write a letter
to the governor of Ohio, informing him of the report. Stickney
complied with this request, and the express was sent with letters to
Governor Harrison and Governor Meigs. Active preparations
were now commenced for defence. Such men as could be spared
with teams were employed to send off ladies who were there, with
children, to the frontier; and it was subsequently ascertained that
within a few hours after the messengers had started, the Indians
drew their lines of guard around the fort.
On the 5th of Aigust, Major Stickney, the Indian agent, was
prostrated by severe illness, from which lie only became convalescent, after twelve days. IHe was then conveyed friom the agency
house to the fort for safety. It was now very plain that the statement of Bondie was no fiction. He, with his Indian family, moved
into the fort. The Indian warriors, to the number of some five
hundred, as then supposed, began to assemble in the neighborhood
of the fort; and it was now evident that they had hopes of getting
possession of it by stratagem. They would lie in wait near the fort,
day after day,-a few near and in sight, but the majority of them
would be scattered about, as much out of sight as possible. Those
near were watching an opportunity to force the sentries. The sentinels were so faithful to their duty, that no chance was presented.
Stephen Johnston, who was a clerk in the United States factory
store,* feeling very solicitous about the safety of his wife, who had
*Whieh had been erected near the fort, sometime subsequent to the erection of Fort
Wayne, in 1794, for the purpose of supplying the Indians with agricultural implepments.




INDIANS ADMITTED INTO THiE FORT.         215
been sent to the frontier in a delicate situation, accompanied by
Peter Oliver, and a discharged militiaman, attempted to elude the
vigilence of the Indians, and visit the place of her abode. They
left at 10 o'clock at night. Johnston was fired upon by six Indians
and killed instantly. Before the Indians could reload their pieces,
the remaining two men made good their retreat to the fort; and for
a reward of twenty dollars, an Indian was induced to bring in the
body of Mr. Johnston.
The Indians now began to disclose their hostility and real purposes by violent and premature acts, showing most conclusively
their full designs. On one occasion two soldiers were sent out on
horseback, three or four miles to drive in some cattle..One of them
was taken prisoner, the other made his escape. The Indians obtained possession of both horses. They killed cattle and hogs near
the fort, stole horses, and committed many other minor depredations.
Both parties wished to delay the final conflict-Major Stickney,
to give tire for Gen. Harrison to send the fort the necessary relief; in compliance with his dispatch; and the Indians, from a hope
and expectation of the daily arrival of the British force, which had
been promised them. The Indians, however, did not cease to employ many devices and stratagems, to accomplish their object, before the arrival of the British. An Indian would occasionally come
near the fort, and hold conversation with an interpreter, who would
be sent out for the purpose. The interpreter would be informed
that the depredations had been committed by the young men, contrarv to the wishes of the chiefs-that the chiefs wished for peace.
At length the Indians expressed a desire to be admitted to see the
commandant of the post, that they might agree upon some terms
for a cessation of hostilities; and asked for a signal by which they
might approach the fort and be permitted to talk with their white
father. A white cloth was accordingly sent to them to be used as
a flag of truce. For several days they delayed making use of the
flag, and continued their depredations. The agent finally sent a
message to them, by an Indian, that they had dirtied. his flag, and
he could not suffer them to retain it any longer; that they must return it immediately. The next day, the whole body of Indians
moved up to the fort, bearing the Awhite flag in front. The gates
of the fort had been kept closed for a number of days. They were
in hopes of obtaining the admission of a large number of their warriors. But the agent, who was still quite weak from his recent attack, was too well acquainted with Indian character to be deceived.
Having, with difficulty, walked to the gate, he designated by name
the chiefs to be admitted, who, upon their entrance into the fort,
one by one, were disarmed by the guard, and examined very closely. Thirtden only were admitted, who at once followed the agent
to his sleeping apartment. The officers in the garrison remained
in their quarters. The agent now addressed a note to Capt. llhea,




' 216              HISTORY~ or' Four WAIYNE.
desiring that thle  llard slhould be palraded. and kept under arms
during the continuance of thle council. In accordance with the
customs of such occasions, tobacco was presented to the chiefs that
they might smoke.-'
When the pipes began to go out, XTWinnemiac a Pottawattanli
chief, rose and commlenced a speech, which he   ddressed to the
aetnt; the substatnce of which was, that the Pottawattamies hta no
hand in killing olohnston, and that the chie:s could not control tlheir
young men. The soldiers and horses had been taken wvithout the
knowledge or consent of the chiefs, in opposition to whose wishes
the young men had committed all their deIpredations.';Bat," continued Winn'emeac, 5 if my fither wishes for war I am a man."t At
this expression the chief struck his hand upon his knife, which he
had concealed under his blanket. The agent at this time did not
understand the language, but saw  there was something serious.
Bondie, who was present and understood the wlhole force of what
was said, jumped upon his feet as quick as lightning, and striking
his knife in a very emphatic manner, shouted int Pottawattamie,
"I am a man too."  At the same instant the interpreter turned quite
pale, and Winnemac cast his eyes towards the principal chief present, whose name'was An-ouk-sa, who was sitting' at a window
where he could see the guard under arms. I-e returned a look of
disappointment, and the stratagem was brought to an abrupt term.ination; while the interpreter, having sufficiently recovered fromr his
confusion, readily explained what had been said. Winnemac now
finished his speech, and the agent returned for an answer, that in all
that had been said, there appeared to be something concealed; and
that if it was for war, he was ready for it. The Indians having been
admitted under a fiag of truce, were now permitted to depart. Winnemac, howlever, who was the last to leave the room, was invited
by Capt. Rhea to his quarters, who soon sent to the agent for an interpreter, and remained in conversation witih Winnemac, half or
three quarters of an hour. The agent subsequently learned, firom
the interpreter, that Rhea professed great friendship for the chief,
and invited him to take breakfast with him the next morning.'Upon learning this, and with a view of dissuading him from  such
intimacy and want of discretion, at such a tine, the agent with
difficulty walked to th.e quarters of Capt. Rhea, rwhom he found in
such a state of'intoxication that it was useless to expostulate with
him. Returning to his quarters again, he now sent for the two lie -
tenants, Ostrander and. urtis, and told them what had taken place,' In the account of this sieoe the writer has mainly followed the statement of Major
Stickney, the Indians agent here at the time of its occurrence.
t The lwhole plan of the Indiarns on this occasion was subsequently divulged. They
were to obrtain an entrance into the fort, for as nmany as possible. Winnemac was to be
the speaker. When he should come to the expression, " I am a man," he was to dispatch the agent. Other chiefs were to rush to each of the officers' quarters, to massacre
them, and others were to open the gates of the fort, to the force without. The work
was then toQbe finished, by butchering every soul in the fort.




PERILOS ADVENTURE OF VWM. OLIVER.         217
giving it as his opinion that an attack would be made the next
morningl; and urged upon them the necessity of all possible preparation,
The next morning, aroused by the firing of rifles, the agent stepped out upon a gallery that projected from the second story of his
quarters, and saw two soldiers fall, mortally wounded, about fifty
yards from the fort. It was now ascertained that no preparations
had been made in anticipation of an attack. All was confusion in
the garrison. The two men were taken into the fort, and died
about one o'clock, that day.
About the first of September, a most interesting occurrence took
place. A white man and four Indians arrived at the fort, on horseback, " in full yell.>" It was the Indian yell of triumph. The white
man, who was foremost, proved to be William Oliver. He was accompanied by four friendly Shawanoe Indians, the brave Logan
among the number. The garrison had been for more than a fortnight in a state of suspense; not knowing whether the express to
Gov. Harrison had gotten through, or not, and every day, in expectation that the British force would arrive. All were on tiptoe
to hear the news-William Oliver had arrived in defiance of five
hundred Indians-had broken through their ranks and reached the
fort in safety.
He reported that about two thousand volunteers had assembled
in Kentucky for the relief of General Hull at Detroit, and had
marched to Cincinnati. There they heard that Hull had surrendered, and deemed it unnecessary to march any further in that direction. Harrison having received the dispatch from the agent at
Fort Wayne, had determined to march to its relief. Ohio was
raising volunteers. Eight hundred were then assembled at St.
Mary's, sixty miles south of Fort Wayne. They intended to march
to the relief of the fort, in three or four days. At Cincinnati great
fears were entertained that the fort had been captured, and its inmates massacred. When the question arose, as to how the condition of Fort NW ayne was to be ascertained, the stoutest hearts inl the
army quailed.
William Oliver was then a young man of about twenty-three
years of age. He possessed the true spirit; was at the time sutler
to Fort Wayne. Previous to any knowledge of the hostile intentions of the Indians, Oliver had gone to Cincinnati on business. He
went to Governor Harrison and made an offer of his services, individually, to obtain the necessary information. Harrison thought
the danger too great, and endeavored to dissuade him from making
the attempt; but he had determined to accomplish it, or loose his
life in the effort. When Governor Harrison shook hands with him,
he observed that he "should not see him again."
A man by the name of Worthington, an Indian commissioner of
the time, embarked with Oliver in this adventurous undertaking,
placing themselves at the head of about eighty whites, forty of




218                 I ISTORY OF FORT' VAYNrE.
whom, so perilous seemed the task before them, after a march of
about three days, returned home. The balance, however, pursued
their way to the Indian village of Waupaukonetta, where Oliver
found friends and acquaintances among some friendly Shawanoes,
and selected four of the bravest to accompany them through to Fort
Wayne, Logoan among the number.
Having pursued their course, with much care, until within some
twenty-four miles of the fort, a council was called to consider the
expediency of a further advance, when it was concluded best for
all to remain behind except Oliver, Logan, and the other Indian attendants. On the following morning, with their horses, they continued their way " with the common wariness of Indians, and without
any remarkable occurrence until they came within some four miles
of the fort. Oliver had determined to enter the fort in broad daylight."  They now began an examination of the ground with great
precaution, determining to ascertain, if possible, what movement
had taken place, and the exact locality of the Indians.
The keen eye of Logan now soon discovered that the enemy was
concealed along the road, with a view to cut off any reinforcements
that might attempt to reach the garrison.
Leaving the main road, they now moved cautiously across to the
Maumee river, whither, leaving their horses in a thicket, they advanced on foot towards the fort, in order to get a view of it, and to
ascertain, if possible, whether it still held out against the besiegers.
Being fully satisfied on this point, they again repaired to the thicket
where they had left their horses, remounted, and soon struck the
malin road again.
The moment of greatest peril and determination had now come.
The fort was to be gained at the risk of life itself; and puttino whip
to their horses, Oliver and his faithful Shawanoe companions
started in full speed for the fort.
W.hat was most remarkable, the moment the scouts gained the
fort proved to be the only safe one that had for some days presented
itself, as though a kind providence had opened the vway for the safe
arrival of the party to cheer the inmates of the perilous garrison.
First reaching the gate of the esplanade, and finding it inaccessible, they descended the river bank, and were soon admitted by
the northern gate.
Said one of the lieutenants of the fort:' The safe arrival of Oliver
at that particular juncture may be considered miraculous. One
hour sooner or one hour later, would no doubt have been inevitable
destruction both to himself and his escort. It is generally believed
by those acquainted with the circumstances, that not one hour, for
eight days and nights preceding or following the hour which Mlr.
Oliver arrived, would have afforded an opportunity of any safety."
So close was their contact with the Indians, in this fearful ride,
that they even saw the beds upon w-hich they lay as they maintained their nightly guard.




OLIV ERs AlaImVAL AT FoRT WAYxN.          219
Entering the general gateway,which was located about where now
stands the residences of the late Jas. B. Hanna, or Martin Knoll, on
Wayne street-the fort then, with several acres of ground, being
enclosed by a substantial fence-a few moments more, and all was
safety. The fort was gained, the north gate opened, and Oliver
and his companions rode quickly in, to the great astonishment and
joy of the little garrison, who eagerly gathered about the heroic
riders to learn the news.
Oliver's story was soon told. When the volunteers of Ohio, assembled at St. Mary's, learned the extent of the Indian force about
Fort Wayne, they deemed it imprudent to advance with so small a
force, and concluded to await the arrival of the Kentuckians, thus
subjecting the garrison to a still longer state of suspense. The anxiety was intense; and it was through extreme good fortune, and
mere accident, that the fort was enabled to hold out, with so little
good management-" the commanding officer had been drunk
nearly all the time, and the two lieutenants inefficient men; entirely
unfit to hold.commissions of any grade." The non-commissioned
officers and privates, eighty in number, behaved very well. The
Indian agent was feeble and incapable of much exertion. Oliver,
though a private citizen, was now the most efficient man in the fort.
Having prepared a letter, announcing to General Harrison his
safe arrival at the fort, and its beleaguered situation, Oliver immediately started his Shawanoe companions back with the letter to
Worthington, while he determined to take his chances with the occupants of the fort.
Seeking an opportune moment, Logan and his companions left
the fort safely, but were soon observed, and pursued. Their exultant shouts, however, soon revealed to the inmates of the garrison
that they had outstripped their pursuers and passed the lines unharm ed.
The Indians now again begun a furious attack upon the fort, but
the little garrison bravely met the assault, and were, in a few days
more, enabled to hail the approach of the army.
The name of Oliver deserves to be enshrined in every heart.
Such heroism is seldom met with, and who among us to-day can
fail to cherish a kindly memory and regard for so valiant and selfdevotional a spirit as the brave, determined WILLIAM OLIVEn?
At Cincinnati, the Kentucky volunteers elected Gov. Harrison to
command them' as a major-general. When he received the information from Oliver that Fort Wayne was in existence, he took up
the line of march for the scene of the beleagured garrison.
The faithful Shawanoes met the advancing army at Piqua, Ohio,
where the message of Oliver was readily delivered to Gen. Harrison, who at once drew his men together, and made them a speech.
Said he, in part:' If there is a man under my command who lacks
the patriotism to rush to the rescue, he, by paying back the money
received froml tie government, shall receive a discharge, as I do not




220               HISTORY OF FOPT WAYNE.
wish to command such." But one man responded to the proposition. His name was Miller,'of the Kentucky militia; and having
obtained his discharge, on the morning of the 6th, his comrades
not willing to let him return without some special manifestion of
their appreciation of his course, put him on a rail, carried him
around the lines tothe music of the Rogue's March, and down to
the Miami, where they took him off the rail and let him into the
water and baptized him in the name of' King George, Aaron Burr,
and the Devil." As he came out of the water the men stood on the
bank and threw handsful of mud on him, then, forming into two
lines in an adjacent lane, made him run the gauntlet, each one
throwing a handful of dirt onhim, and then let him go.
Soon after this event, on the morning of the 6th, the army began
its march for Fort Wayne, encamping that evening in the woods,
some twelve miles from Piqua. Early on the morning of the 7th,
(Monday) the army resumed its march. This day, says one of their
number,' "we made fifteen miles, and encamped on a branch,
three and a half miles this side of St. Mary's river. Next morning
a melancholy accident happened.. In the act of receiving the
guard a young man by the name of Thomas Polly, a sergeant in
Captain M egowan's company, was shot by the accidental discharge
of a gun in the hands of a sentinel by the name of Thos. Hamilton.
The ball enteied the left side, below the nipple, and passed out
near the backbone, perforating the lungs. We carried him on a
litter to St. Marys, where he lingered till the next day. This was
the first death that had occurred during our march. This day, Sept.
8th, we only marched to St. MBary'st where we lay till next day.
On this evening we were joined by two hundred mounted volunteers, under Col. Richard Mi. Johnson, who had volunteered for
thirty days, on hearing that Fort Wayne was besieged. Wrednesdav, Sept. 9th, we marched eighteen miles, to what was called
Shane's Crossing of St. Mary's. Here we overtook a regiment of
eight hundred men from Ohio, under Cols. Adams and Hawkins,
who had started on to the relief of Fort Wayne. On arriving at
this place, an Indian, of the Shawanoe tribe, a half blood, by the
name of Logan, (who had been taken when a small boy by Gen.
Benjamin Logan, of Lincoln county, Kentucky, and raised by him,
but who, after arriving at maturity, had gone back and joined his
tribe) with four others, offered his services to Gen. Harrison as spies,
which he accepted."
Logan was a remarkable Indian, and had early merited the esteem and confidence of the whites. Was some six feet inf heifht,
with robust form, broad shoulders, and prominent forehead. Was
greatly attached to General Harrison, and a warm friend to the
x- John T). White, of Lawrenceburgh, Ind.
t At this point some block-lhouses were built for the security of provisions and protection of the sick. This point had previously been known as Girty Town, doubtless
after the famous Simon Girty.




INCIDENTS OF THE ABMY IN ITS MARCH TO FORT WAYNE.  221
American cause, for which he did much valuable service as a guide
and spy.
Continues White: " Previous to our arrival, Logan had gone on
in disguise, and passing through the camp of the besieging party,
had ascertained their number to be about fifteen hundred. Logan
also went to the fort, and encouraged the soldiers to hold on, as relief was at hand. On this night, (the 9th) the sentinels fired at what
they imagined to be Indians, but, on examination, next morning, an
old horse was found shot, having strayed outside the camp. Thursday morning we marched early. Cols. Adams and HIawkins having waited several days to come up, (after ascertaining the superiority of the enemy's forces) joined our army, and we all marchecl
together. We now had about three thousand five hundred: men.
We marched ten miles and encamped. Nothing occurred of any
interest. Friday morning we were under marching orders after
early breakfast. It had rained, and the guns were damp. We
were ordered to discharge them, and re-load, as we were then getting into the vicinity of the enemy, and knew not how soon we might
be attacked. A strong detachmen't of spies under Captain James
Sugget, of Scott county, marched considerably ahead of the army.
Indications of the enemy having advanced from their position at
Fort Wayne, for the purpose of watching the movements of our
army, were manifest, and Captain Sugget came upon the trail of a
large party, which he immediately pursued. After following the
trail some distance he was fired on by an Indian, who had secreted
himself in a clump of bushes, so near to Sugget that the powder
burnt his clothes, but the ball missed him. The Indian jumped
from his covert and attempted to escape, but Andrew Johnson, of
Scott, shot him. At the crack of the gun, the Indian's gun and
blanket fell. Supposing that.he had killed him, and being eager
in pursuit of the trail, they made no halt; but before they could
overtake the.Indians, they had to give up the pursuit, on account of the lateness of the hour and the distance they were ahead
of the army. On returning to where the Indian was shot, they
found the gun and blanket, but he had escaped. They followed
the blood for some distance and found pieces of his handkerchief,
whiich he had cut into plugs to stop the blood, but he had bleed so
profusely that it had forced them out of the wound. On abandoning the pursuit of the wounded Indian, the party returned to the
camrp. We had marched about fifteen miles, and encamped an
hour before Sugget's party arrived. Logan held up the bloody
blanket and exhibited it as he rode along the line. Having repaired
to Gen. Harrison's marque, orders were immediately issued for the
troops to turn out and make a breastwork around the encampment,
which order was promptly obeyed, and before dark the same was
fortified by a breastwork, made by cutting down trees and pilingthem on each other. A strong picket guard was detailed and posted.
at a considerable distance fiom the line. After tattoo, at 9 o'clock,




22,2              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
we lay down. After which the officer of the night came round to
give us the watchword, which was'filght on.' (The watchword is
given to the sentinel as well as to the armv, in order, that, in case
of a nigiht attack, and the sentinels having to run into camp, may be
distinguished from the enemy by it.) Orders were given, that in
case of two guns being fired in quick succession, the soldiers were
to repair to the breastwork. From every indication we had strong
reasons for believing that we would be attacked before day. We
lay with our guns in our arms and cartridge boxes under our heads,
About 10 o'clock, just as the soldiers were in the enjoyment of
tired nature's sweet restorer,' they were aroused by the firing of
two guns by the sentinels, and the drums beat the alarm. In a moment all were at the breastwork, ready to receive the enemy. Just
about this time some fifty guns were fired by the sentinels, and
some came running in hallooing at the top of their voices, fight on;'
and, notwithstandingo we had orders' not to speak the watchword,
the cry of' fight on went entirely around the lines. If there had
been an attack, and the enemy had understood English, it would
have afforded them the advantage of getting into the lines by giving; the watchword.
" The Indians,were around us, and we were in momentary expectation of an onset. At last all was calm again, and we were
permitted to rest. But just as we were in the sweet embraces of
sleep, we were again aroused by the firing of a number of guns,
and again we were as prompt in repairing to our posts. We now
stood a considerable time, and all became quiet again, when we
were ordered to count off one, two, three, and every third man was
made to stand at the breastwork, and the rest were permitted to retire to their tents. At length day dawned, and the guards were
relieved. We ascertained afterward, from Indians taken prisoners,
that they came from their encampment with the design of making
a night attack on us, but on finding us so well prepared to receive
them, they declined prosecuting their designs.
" Without being able to get round the entire encampment before
daylight of the morning of the 9th, the Indians returned to their
own lines with the word that fieentzuIck was coming as numerous
as the trees.'
"Lieut. Munday, of Kuley's company, of Madison county, Ky.,
and Ensign Herring, of Hart's company, of Lexington, being officers of the guard, both left their guard fires and ran in when the
firing commenced.:      t' Saturday, September 10th, we expected to reach Fort Wayne,
but thought, in all probability, we should have to fight our way,
for the Indians lay at what was called the Black Swamp, five miles
on this side of the fort, immediately on our road. We started after
e Charges of cowardice having been preferred avainst these two officers, after the arrival of the army at Fort Wayne, a court martial -was ordered for their trial. Munday
resigned and went home. Herring proved that he stood his ground till the whole guard
had left him, and was therefore acquitted.




ARRIVAL OF THIE ARMY AT FORT WATAYNE.       223
early breakfast (if a few bare bones, boiled in water, could be
called a breakfast) and marched with much caution. From St.
Mary's we had moved in two lines, one on the right, and the other
on the left of the road, at a distance of about one hundred yards
therefrom, while the -wagons kept the road. Sugget's spies went
ahead, and on coming to where they had left the trail of the
wounded Indian, they again took it, and after following it a short
distance, found his dead body. When he found he could not survive,
he broke bushes and covered himself over, and resigned to die. The
Indians believe that if they lose their scalp, they will not be permitted to enter the favorite hunting ground which their tradition
teaches them they are to inhabit after death. Hence they use every
effort to prevent their enemies from getting the scalps of those slain
in battle; and during an engagement a number are always employed in carrying off the dead. A short distance in advance of
their camp, at the swamp, the spies returned with information that
they were there, prepared to give us battle. A halt was made,
and the line of battle formed. Col. Hawkins, of the Ohio mounted
volunteers, had left the lines and gone some distance from the road.
Being partly concealed by a clump of bushes, one of his men
taking him for an Indian fired at him and shot him through. The
ball entered between the shoulders and came out at the breastwhich, however, did not prove mortal. We again took up the line
of march, and in a short time came in sight of the smoke of the,
camp of the enemy.?"
At the first grey of the morning of the 10th of September, the
distant halloos of the disappointed savages revealed to the anxious
inmates of the fortthe glorious news of the approach of the army.
Great clouds of dust could be seen from the fort, rolling up in tihe
distance, as the valiant soldiery, under General H-arrison, moved
forward to the rescue of the garrison; and soon after daybreak, the
army stood before the fort. The Indians had beat a retreat to the
northward and eastward, and the air about the old fort resounded
with the glad shouts of welcome to Gen. Harrison and the brave
boys of Ohio and Kentucky!
And again, as on former occasions,' the Key of the Tnorthwest"
had unlocked the great door of success; and the country, though
not yet through with its trials and conflicts with a wily and relentless foe, was safe, and destined soon to triumph'over every obstacle.
The prophetic words of Washinoton, years before, were again
most fully realized; and the scene of the Miami village, more surely
than ever, pointed to' a most important post for the Union."




CHAPTER XV1IiL
All Aas flight, and for miles around,
No red man was to be found.
Flighbt of the Indians on the approach of the army —The Fort besieged teln or turel'l
days —Wooden cannon made by the Indians — The little village around the fiort
destroyed —The occupants of the houses about the fort seek safety in the fort —The
fort able to hold out against the Indians'still longer-The old well of the fort —
Captain M'Afee's account-His prophecy and that of Captain Wells as to the future of Fort Wayne —Loss in the fort during the siege-Shooting an lndian in the
St. Mary-Charmges against Captain lhea, —Rhea permitted to resign-i-The army
formed into two detachments to destroy the villages in the region of Fort WayneDestruction of corn and vegetables —The tomb of a chief-The village of Five
Medals, near where Goshen, Ind., now slands -The tomb of an Indian sorceress —
Evidences of British aid-leturn of the divisions to the fort-Arrival of new recruits at Fort Wayne-A force sent to destroy Little Turtle Town-The ground
now occupied by the city of Fort Wayne mainly cleared by order of Ganeral Harioson — An imposing scene —All approach cut off —Gen. Harrison's leport-Arrival
of Gelen. Winchester at Fort Wayne —Popularity of Gen. Harrison- Winchester to
take command of the army-Dissatisfaction amoong the soldiers at the proposei
ehlange of generals - A recunciliation-Gen. Harrison's return to Pique-l-An expedition against Detroit-Movements of Gen. Wiinchester —Indians discovered-A.
party surprised, captured, and five killed.
HE INDIANS had mainly fled the evening before the arrival
)of the army.      Some, however, were courageous enough to re-,Tmain until within a few      moments before the army reached the''fort, who "were pursued by the         Ohio horsemen, but without.;
success."   The fort had now been closely besieged for ten or
twelve days; and the Indians, in their efforts to capture it, had made
several pieces of wooden cannon, which they strengthened with
iron hoops.    Previous to the commencement of the siege, there
were several dwellings near the fort,       forming," says M'Afee, " a
handsome little village; but it was now (on the arrival of the army),
in ruins, having been burnt down by the Indians, together with the
United States' factory,"
The occupants of the dwellings surrounding the fort, as the siege
began, sought refuge within the garrison, where they remained in
safety till the army arrived.,
The fort, during the siege, was well supplied wit;          provisions.




EARLY PlROPHECY COCERNING FORT WAYNE.               225
There was a good wellP of water within the enclosure; and they
had also four small field pieces.  With these advantages, unless attacked by a formidable British force, they were well prepared to
oppose the efforts of the Indians for several days longer.
Of the fort, at this period, which was the same built by order:of
Gen.Wayne, in 1794, in connection with other relations of this point,
Captain MTMAfeet said:.' It is delightfully situated, on an eminence
on the south bank of the Miami of the lakes, immediately below
the formation of that river by the junction of the St. Mary's from
the southwest with the St. Josephs from the north. It is well constructed of block houses and picketing, but could not resist a British
force, as there are several eminences on the south-side, from which
it could be,'c ommanded, by a six or nine pouni or.
"This is the:place where the Miami Indians formerly had their
principal town; and here many an unfortunate prisoner suffered
death by burning at the stake. It was here also, that Gen. Harmar
suffered his army to be cut up and defeated in detachments after
he had burnt the town in the fall of the year 1790. For more than
a century before that time, it had been the principal place of rendezvous between the Indians of the lakes, and tlhose of the Wabash
and Illinois, and had been much resorted to about the year'56 and
previously, by French traders from Canada.    The Maum, ee is navigable for boats from this place to the lake, and the portage to the
nearest navigable branch of the Wabash, is but seven or eight.
miles, through a level, marshy prairie, from  which the water runs
both to the Wabash and St. Marys. A canal at some fature day?will unite these rivers, and thus render a town at Fort layne, as
formerly, the most considerable place in that count'ry
"The corn which had beell cultivated in the fields, by the villagers, was nearly all destroyed by the Indians; the renains served
as forage for the mounted. corps.  Captain Wells, who was massacred at Chicago, had a handsome farm in the forks of the river,
with some good buildings, which were all destroyedl in the general
devastation.?'
Durillg the siege, the garrison lost but three men. From subsequent information, it was believed that; the Indian loss was about
twenty-five. Eight were seen to fal'. One Indian was killed at a
distance of three hundred yards, while standing in the St. Mary's
river.  A soldier by the name of King, with a long heavy rifle, fired,
* The traces of this well are yet plainly to be seen. It was near the northwest end of
the fort, now to be seen just at the edge of lte south side of the canal.
+ Author of the "History of the Late War in the Western Country," published in
1816. M'Afee was here in 181 3. It is fiomr this old volume that the writer has been
enabled to draw nmany valuable and interesting facts relating to the early History of
Fort Wavne. M'Afee's words in reterence to the construction of a cana.l by this point
and the subsequent growth of a " town at Fort Wayne," have been most conclusively
realized. The writer also learned from early settlers that the unfortunate Capt. Wells,
(killed at Chicago) some years before the war of 1812, had often told persons here that
"a big ditch " would one day be dug from the lake to this locality, in which boats
would run-and that there would also be a large town here some day-but he'was not
believed,.in fact, tlhoght very ironmodera.ite in his caleulations.  (15)




226                 IISTOiRY OF FORT WAYNE.
and the ball took effect in the back of the savage, between his
shoulders, and he fell into the water. This feat was witnessed by
the whole garrison.
Immediately after the arrival of Gen. Harrison, Lieutenants
Ostrander and Curtis, preferred charges against Capt. Rhea, and
called upon Major Stickney, the agent, as a witness. The General
assembled his principal officers as a Board of Inquiry, and upon the
testimony of the agent, that Rhea was drunk six days during the
siege, the Board thought he ought no longer to hold a commission.
Gen. Harrison, mainly because of his advanced age, granted Capt.
Rhea the alternative of a resignation, (which he complied with,)
to take effect the first day of January following.
The second day following the arrival of the army here, General
Harrison formed his army into two detachments, with a view of destroying the Indian villages in the region of country lying some
miles around Fort Wayne, the frst division being composed: of the
regiments under Cols. Lewis and Allen, and Captain Garrard's
troop of horse, under Gen. Payne, accompanied by Gen. I-Iarrison.
The second division, under Col. Wells, accompanied by a battalion
of his own regiment, under Major Davenport, (Scott's regiment,)
the mounted battalion under Johnson, and the mounted Ohio men
under Adams.
In order that their means of subsistence might also be cut off, it
was determined, while destroying the Indian villages in the region,
to cut up and destroy their corn and other products.
After a march of a few miles, the troops under Payne came to
the Miami villages, at the forks of the Wabash, where, finding the
villages abandoned, the troops were ordered to cut up the corn and
destroy the vegetables in the field adjacent. At this point, says
M'Afee's account of the expedition, was observed'" the tomb of a
chief, built of logs, and bedaubed with clay." This chief" was laid
on his blanket, with his gun and his pipe by his side, a small tin
pan o'n his breast, containing a wooden spoon, and a number of earrings and brooches-all deemednecessary, no doubt, on his journey to the other world."
On the 16th of September, the body under Col. Wells had advanced to the Pottawattamie village, known as Five Medals, on the
Elkhart river, in what is now Elkhart county, near the town of
Goshen. Having crossed the river, about three miles above the
village, and forme'd in order of battle, 6 in a plain, thinly timbered,"
the division advanced to the right and left of the village, anid then
surrounded it; but, to the regret o all, the place was found desorted, the Indians having abandoned it two days before, leaving
behind considerable quantities of " corn, gathered and laid on scaffolds to dry, with abundance of beans, potatoes, and other vegetables, which furnished an ample store of provisions for the men and
forage for the horses. This village was called Five Medals, from a
chief of that name1, who made it his residence. On a pole, before




DESTRUCTION OP THE VILLAGE OF FIVE MEDALS.    227
the door of that chief, a red flag was hung, with a broom tied above
it; and on another pole at the tomb of an old woimen, a white flag
was flying. The body of the old woman was entire, sitting upright,
with her face towards the east, and a basket beside her, containing
trinkets, such as owl and hawk bills and claws, a variety of bones,
and bunches of roots tied together; all of which indicated that she
had been revered as a sorceress. In one of the huts was found a
morning report of one of Hull's Captains, also a Liberty Hall
newspaper, printed at Cincinnati, containing an account of General
Harrison's army. Several coarse bags, which appeared to have
contained shot, and pieces of boxes with London and Malden printed
on them, were also picked up in the cabin; which proved that these
Indians were intimately connected with the British, and had been
furnished with information by some one,perhaps, in our own country. This village, with some seventy acres of corn, was destroyed,
and the same evening the army, on its return. march, reached the.Elkhart river; and after a most fatiguing march, for those on foot,
and firom the effects of which one man died soon after the return of
the division, the'army arrived again at the fort on the -l8th, a few
hours after the body under Payne had returned."7*
On the day previous to the return of these divisions, (17th), Col.
Simrall, with a regiment of dragoons, armed with muskets, and
numbering some three hundred and twenty men; also a company
of mounted riflemen, under Col. Farrow, from Montgomery county,
Ky., had arrived at the fort; and on the same evening of the retuln
of the divisions urnder Payne and Wells, Gen. Harrison sent them
to destroy Little Turtle Town, some twenty miles northwest of the
fort, with orders not to molest the buildings formerly erected by
the United States, for the benefit of Little Turtle, whose friendship
for the Americans had ever been firm after the treaty of Greenville.
Colonel Simrall most faithfully performed the task assigned him,
and on the evening of the 19th, returned to, the fort.
In addition to these movements, General Harrison took the precaution to remove all the undergrowth in the locality surrounding
the fort, extending towards the confluence of the St. Joseph and St.
Mary, to where now stands Budisill's mill, and westward as far as
St. Mary, to the point where now stands the Fort Wayne College,
thence south-east to about the point of the residence of the late
Allen IHamilton, and to the east down the Maumee a short distance.
And so well cleared was the ground, including a very large part
of the entire limits of the present site of the city of Fort Wayne,
that it was said by those'who were here at that early day and to a
later period, a sentinel' on the bastions of the fort, looking westward, could see a rabbitt running across the grounds as far as so
small an object was discernable to the naked eye."
The seclusive points were thus cut off, and the Indians now had
no longer any means of concealing their approach upon the fort.
M'Afee.




228                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
and the scene thus presented by the destruction of the underbrush,
including many trees, of some growth, was said to have been quite
imposiJng indeed, Some thirty or forty acres, of what is now the Cole
farm, extending to the junction of the rivers, and just opposite the
Maumee, was then known as the Public Meadow, which, of course,
was then, as it had 1ing before been, a considerable open space.
The soldiers were thus readily enabled to observe the approach.
of any hostile movementagainst the fort, and to open the batteries,
with formidable effect, upon any advance that might be made
against the garrison, from any direction.
General Harrison now made an official report of transactions here
to the War Department;. and about the 19th of September, Brigadier-general James Winchester arrived at the Fort, with a view of
taking command of the first division of Kentucky troops, which had
early marched to reinforce the northwestern army.
General Winchester had seen service in the revolutionary struggle, as an officer of distinction, and at this period was somewhat
advanced in years. Was a man of some wealth, and resided in the
State of Tennessee, where he is said to have " lived many years in
a degree of elegant luxury and ease, which was not calculated to
season him for a northern campaign in the forest."
General Harrison was ever a favorite with the soldiers, and there
was probably no man in the country at this period who could command a greater amount of esteem from the masses, or who could
move at the head of an army with greater confidence and regard
from the soldiers under him, both officers and privates, than he
could; and when General Winchester arrived, it was soon understood that he was to take command of the forces. This produced much uneasiness among the troops, not that Winchester was
by any means an inferior officer, but that Harrison was the javorite;
and the boys wanted him to lead them. Indeed, so great was the
aversion to the change, that many of the militia were disposed not
to be under his command; and it was with much difficulty that
General Harrison* and the field officers succeeded in reconciling
them to the change of officers.
As it is a matter most essential that all raw troops should
have the largest confidence in their commander, so the militia, at
this particular juncture of affairs, needed the greatest confidence in
their commanding-general, and much of this was unfortunately lost
to the men by a change of general officers.
The men being at length prevailed on to march under General
WVinchester, with the coriofident belief that Gen. I-Harrison would
sooner or later be reinstated, and again assume command of them,
* Says M'Afee: " The troops had confidently expected, that General Harriison would
be confitmed in the command; and by this time he had completely secured the cotfi4dpge of every soldier in the army. He was affable and courteous in his manners, and'!def(ta^:g'b'in his attention to every branch of business, His soldiers seem to anticip:ate 1t~e lwil hef ot'.elnerqal;' it was only necessary to be known that hle wished some4-iing,d, oQe, and all -s'ee anxious to risk their lives in its accomplishment."




MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY UNDER GEN. WINCHESTER.      229
on the 19th of September, the command of the troops, by a general order, at the fort, were transferred to General Winchester,
placing "any part of the infantry which he might deem necessary
to the extension of his plans, at his disposal."
The same evening, after the issuance of this order, Gen. Harrison started on his return, towards Piqua, to take command of the
forces collecting in the rear; and to arrange for a mounted expedition against Detroit-intending thus to make a coup de mnain on
that point, marching by way of a route but little known, from  Fort
Wayne, up the St. Joseph, from thence to the head waters of the
river Raisin. These troops consisted of three regiments fiom Kentucky, under Barbee, Payne, and Jennings; three companies of
mounted riflemen from the same State, under Captains Roper, Bacon, and Clarke; also a corps of mounted men from Ohio, who had
rendezvoused at Dayton on the 15th, in obedience to a prior call
by Governors Meigs and Harrison, which they had made early in
September, intending to employ them against some Indian towns,
the corps being commanded by Col. Findley, who had again entered the service since the surrender of Generall-lull at Detroit.
On the 20th General Harrison met the mounted men and the
regiment of Jennings at St. Mary's (Girty Tosyn), the remainder of
the infantry being still further in the rear. The General having
left word at the fort here for Johnson's battalion and Col. Simrall's
dragoons, which were not included in General Winchester's command, to return to St. Mary's as early as possible, Major Johnson,
on the morning of the 20th, in accordance therewith, took up his
line of march, and after an advance of some twenty miles, was met
by orders from General Harrison to return to Fort Wayne again,
and there await further orders, with his dragooils, which was
promptly complied with, excepting ensign Wni. Holton, with about
twenty-five men of Captain Ward's company, who, refusing to obey
orders, started to return home, to Kentucky. The next evening,
the remainder of the corps under Johnson reached Fort Wayne
again.
General Winchester had now removed his. camp to the forks of
the Maumee; and early on the 222d of September, he moved down
the north side of that stream, over very nearly the saiie route as
that by which General Wayne's army had reached the Miami villages in 1794, intending to go as far as Fort Defiance, at the mouth
of the Auglaize, with a view of forming a junction there with the
infantry in the rear, who were to come from the St. Marys, by way
of the Auglaize,
Before leaving the forks of the Mlaumee, Winchester issued the
following order:
" The front guard in three lines,'two deep in the road, and in Indian filers on the
flanks at distances of fifty and one hundred yards, as the ground will admit. A fatigue
party to consist of one capta;n, one ensign, two sergeants, and two corporals, with fifty
men, will follow the front guard for the pur, ose of oplening the road. Thie remainder
of the infantry to march on the fliuks in the following order: colonels Wells and Al



230                HI-ISTOiRY Oi FOr'o:   WAYE.
len's ragiments on the right, and Lewis and Scott's on the left. The general and brigade baggage, commissaries and quartermasters' stores, immediately in the rear of the
fatigue party. The cavalry in the following order: captain Garrard and twenty of his
men to precede the guard in front, and equally divided at the head of each line; a
lieutenant and eighteen men in the rear of the whole army and baggage; the balance of
the cavalry equally divided on the flanks or the flank lines. The regimental baggage
wagons will fall according to the respective ranks of their commanding officers. The
officers commanding corps previous to their marching will examine carefully the arms
and ammunition of their respective corps, and see that they are in good order. They
will also be particularly careful, that the men do not waste their cartridges. No loaded
muskets are to be put in the wagons. One half of the fatigue party is to work at a
time, and the others will carry their arms. The wagon master will attend to loading
the wagons, and see that the various articles are put in, in good order,, and that each
wagon and team carry a reasonable load. The hour of march will be 9 o'clock this
morning. The oficer of the day is charged with this order. The line of battle will be
the same as that of General Harrison in his last march to Fort Wayne."
The March down the Maumee was continued with great precaution, and the camp strongly fortified every nig!ht, advancing only
about five and six miles each day. Not many miles had been
gained before a party of Indians were discovered, and the signs
were strong that there were many more in the region., A volunteer
company of spies having previously been organized, under Captain
Ballard, Lieutenant Harrison Munday, of the rifle regiment, and
Ensign Liggett, of the 17th U. S. Infantry, they were usually kept
in advance to reconnoiter the country.    On the 25th, Ensign Liggett having obtained permission; to proceed as far as Fort Defiance,
he was accompanied by four men of McCracken's company, from
Woodford, Kentucky. Late that evening, while preparing some
food, they were discovered by a Frenchman and eight Indians, who
surprised them, with a demand to surrender, being postively assured that they would not be hurt, and also be permitted to wear
their arms till they entered the British camp.   With these conditions, says VM'Afee's account,* they surrendered; but the Indians
and Frenchman, as they walked on, concocted, in their own language, and executed the following plan for their destruction: Five
of the Indians, each having marked his victim, walked.behind and
on one side of the men, and,: at a given signal, fired upon them.
Four ot them   fell dead —Liggett only escaped the first fire —he
sprung to a tree, but was shot also whiile raising his gun, to his
face. Next day, Captain Ballard, with a part of his company, being in advance, discovered the dead bodies, and a party of Indians
watching near them. Hie formed his men for action, with the Maumiee on his right; but not liking his position, and perceiving that
the Indians were too strong for him, he fell back two hundred
yards, and formed in. a stronger position. The enemy supposing
he had fled, filed off from. their right flank, intending to surround
him oon his left, and cut off hi sretreat. iHe heard them pass by on
his left without discovering him, and then filed off by the left in
their rear, Cnd by a circuitous route arrived safe at the camp.
Lieutenant Munday, with another part of the spies, presently happened at the same place, and discovering some Inidians, who still
f" His, Late War in Western Country," page 135 to page, 152.




DEFEAT OF PLAN TO MASSACRE FORTS WAYNE AND HARRISON. 231
remained there, formed his men and charged upon them, at the
same time saluting them with their own yell. They fled precipitately, and Munday, on discovering their superior numbers, took
advantage of their panic to retreat himself. Next morning, the
27th, Captain Ballard, with the spies and Captain Garrard's troop
of horse, accompanied by Major Woolfork, aid to the general, and
some other volunteers, went forward to bury the dead. The Indians were still in ambush; but Captain Ballard expecting it, approached them in a different direction, so as to disconcert their
plans. IHe attacked them with a brisk fire, and Captain Garrard
immediately ordered a charge, on which they fled in every direction, leaving trails of blood from their killed and wounded.
These Indians were the advance of an army destined to attack
Fort Wayne, consisting of 200 regulars under Major Muir, with
four pieces of artillery, and about 1000 Indians, commanded by
Elliott. They had brought their baggage and artillery by water
to old Fort Defiance, at the mouth of the Auglaize, where they
had left their boats and were advancing up the south side of
the Maumee towards Fort Wayne.
Upon the approach of Winchester, they threw their cannon into
the river, together with'their fixed ammunition, and retreated in
great haste. Gen. Winchester did not pursue them.
And thus the original plan of the British authorities, at Detroit
and Malden, to take the posts of Forts Wayne and Harrison, then
to give them up to massacre, and to turn about 1500 Indians loose
upon the frontier, to kill and lay waste, had now come to defeat.




CHAPTER XIX.
Again upon the march,'mid scenes of renownOn, withlheroic valor, to bloody Frenchtown,
Where brave ALTLSEN fell.
Situlition of Fort -Iarrison0-The stratagemi for its capture-lThe Indians, ien, womeIn,
and children, gathered there in large numbers-They. ask for food, and desire to
be admitted into the fort-One of the block-houses fired-The Ind'ians open fire
upon the fort-A critical moment-Two men, of the fort, scale the picketing-One
of thenm killed, th.e other wounded-Retreat of lhe Indians-The garrison repaired
-Captain Taylor prepares for a siege Scare -y of food-A messenger succeeds in
passing the Indian lines at night —Capt. T ylor breveted for his bravery-His
force but 50 men-Force of the Indians large-The Indians exasperated at their
defeat,-They leave the locality of Fort Harrison for the " Pigeon-Roost settlemenet "-Twvo men killed rwen wthin two miles of the settlement —lTh'e settlement
iurprised- the massacre —23 men, women, and children killed in a few minutes
-A few only make their escape-The alarm given by thiose nmaking their escapeA party reaches the scene of the massacre-The buildings burned, and the bodies
mainly consumed by the flimes-Burial, in one grave, of the remains-Trail of the
Indians —Dangers and sufferings of the pioneers-Zebulun Collings' accountRegimlents of Kentlucky-Recruits of the regular army ordered to the frontierTransportation of supplies —report of General Harrison —A movement against the
Britisl —Logari, the Shawanell  half-breed, sent to take observaitions-He and his
party overpowered-Their retreat to the canmp of Gen. Winchester-Logall suspeeted of being in complictity with the enemy-Logan's feelings greatly wounded-He resolves to prove himself truie-Logan and lhis attendants move again-'" A prisoner or a scalp "-They meet a superior party-SStratagem of Logan —A
(ietachmtent sent against the Indians on the Mississiniwsa —A sharp encounter-Loss
and flight of the Indians —Tecumseh in the region —Return of the detachmentPrivations of the armty-The government and people restless —Advance of Gen.
Winchester-Movement of troops under Lewis and Allen upon Frenchtown-The
B]ritish preparle for an att;ack-Their advance and attack —The Americans overpowered —Terrible slaugohter'-Ferocity and barbarity of the Indians-Capture of'
Gen. Winchester-Bravery and death of Col. John Allen-Great valor of Majors
Graves and Madison —''heir refusal to surrender to Gen. Proctor-Horrible
slaughter of the wounded bvythe Indians —Many burned alive —Movements of
General Harrison for the relief of the sufferers at Frenchtoywn-Confinement of Gen.
Winchester, Col. Lewis, and Major Madison at Quebec-Sad feeling of the country
at the disaster of Frenchtown —Renewed efforts, and heavy reinforcements to the
army of Harrison.               -   -- -
(9[,g  HILE     the   garrison   here    is  on the look-out for t.e wily
j1' ] foe that had now        begun to prowl about again, occasionally
o     visiting the fort in the guise of friendship, and the north-'"' western     troops are     engaged    in  active preparations for an
advance on Detroit, the attention of the reader is turned again




DEF1NSE' OF F0 FOT HARRISoN.           233
in the direction of' the Wabash and Fort Harrison. Capt. Zachary
Tlaylor was in command of this fort at this period. Sratagem, to
the time of the siege here, had well-nigh assumed an epidemical
form. with the different tribes. It was an ancient artifice. It had
often been resolrted to as'a means'of success, and seldom failed in
its operations, if cautiously engineered. Occasionally, however, a
Gladwyn, a Harrison, or a Johnson was met byI the Indians, in their
purposes and plans, and then, after a desperate effort, they usually
came to defeat.
On the 3d of September, a body of Winnebagoes and Kickapoos,
men, women, aind children, had gathered about Fort Harrison, and
desired, as on many sihmlar occasions, at other points, to be admitted into the fort, with the pretense of holding a council-insisting,
also, that they were greatly in need of food.
Two men having been killed on the 2d, Capt. Taylor at once suspected their designs, and giving them something to eat, refused to
adnilt them. But this didl not suffice. They continued to loiter
about the fort, still insisting. upon their friendship. On the night of
the 4th, tleir designs were made fully manifest. Setting fire to one
of the block-houses, a large number of warriors, who had been concealed near by, now opened a brisk fire upon the fort, which was
readily returned by the garrison. Several desperate charges were
imade by the Indians, in which an efiort was made to fire the fort
in several places, and then to enter by the breach; but they were
bravely repulsed and entirely defeated at every side. "So critical
and alarming. was'the situation of the garrison," says M'Afee, " that
two of the men jumped over the picketing, preferring the chance
of escape through the ranks of the enemy, to the pros)ect' of being
burnt or massacred in the fort; one of whom was killed, and the
other retreated back to the walls of the fort after being wounded,
and concealed himself behind some old barrels till the next morning, when the Indians retreated, though still hovering about within
view of the fort for seven or eight days afterwards."
The garrison was, now repaired and.strengthened, and Captain
Taylor prepared himself for a regular siege. The. destruction of
the block-house, in which were stored the provisions of the fort,
was severly felt, as it exposed the men to the rigors of hunger in
the lack of food. During the siege but three men had been killed,
and about that number wounded. A small amount of corn, raised
near the fort, was their only reliance for food for several days;
while an effort to dispatch a messenger to Vincennes seemed out
of the question, until, at length, a messenger succeeded in passing
the Indian encampment at night.
For his valiant conduct in defending the fort, Captain Taylor received much praise, and was therefob soon after breveted a major.
His force in the garrison cdid not exceed -fifty men, many of whom
were sick. The force of the enemy wras quite large, comprising




234              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
about all the Indians that could, at that time, be collected in that
part of the counitry.
Greatly perplexed and exasperated at their failure, a large part
of the Indians engaged against Fort Harrison, now soon started for
a little settlement, known as ".the Pigeon Roost settlement," at the
fork of White river, in what is now Scott county, in this State. This
settlement was founded in 1809; embraced an.opening of about one
square mile, and was,about five miles distant from any other settlement. When within about two miles of the settlement, the Indians discovered two men of the same, who were hunting bee trees.
These were killed, and then moving forward to the settlement, they
surprised and massacred, in a few moments, twenty-three men, women, and children, a few only succeeding in making their escape.
"The children," says M'Afee, "had their brains knocked out against
trees,? etc.
A large party now soon collected, and repaired to the scene of
the massacres where the bodies, many of them partially constimed
in the flames of the ruined buildings, were collected together, and
buried in one grave.
Many of the Indians engaged in this massacre, were Shawanoes,
and their trail was followed for several miles, in the direction of the
Delaware towns, at the head of White river, but without success.
A Mr. Zebulun Collings, who resided about six miles from the
Pigeon-Roost settlement, thus relates the dangers and vicissitudes
under which he proscuted his farm labors, and lived from day, to
day during much of those early times, which will doubtless also
serve as an example of the hardships and dangers of most of the
pioneers of those early days. Sayshe: "The manner in which I
used to work, in those perilous tines, was as follows: On all occasions I carried my rifle,' tomahawk, and butcher-knife, with a
loaded pistol in my belt. When I went to plow, 1 laid my gun on
the plowed ground, and stuck up a stick by it, for a mark, so that I
could get it quick in case it was wanted. I had two good'dogs. I
took one into the house, leaving the other out. The one outside
was expected to give the alarm, which would cause the one inside
to bark, by which I would be awakened, having my arms always
loaded. I kept my horses in a stable, close to the house, having a
port-hole, so that I could shoot to the stable door. During two years
I never went from home with any certainty of returning -not knowing the minute I might receive a ball from an' iiiknown hand; but
in the midst of all these dangers, that God who never sleeps nor
slumbers, has kept me."
The regiments of Colonels Wilcox, Miller, and Barbour, of the
Kentucky militia, were now on their march to Vincennes, but they
did not arrive in time to meet the Indians at Fort Harrison. Col.
Russell being advised of its -critical situation, collected some companies of rangers and Indiana militia, and, by forced marches, arrived there on the 13th, to the great joy of the garrison, who were




TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES.            235
in a starving condition. Several wagons with provisions were now
ordered up to the fort, under an escort of 13 men, commanded by
lieutenant Fairbanks, of the regulars. After Colonel Russell had
met and passed this party on his return, they were surprised and
literally cut to pieces by the Indians, two or three only escaping.
Major f'Gary, with a battalion of Colonel Barbour's regiment, was
at the same time on his way with provisions for the garrison; and
being reinforced with some companies of RIussell's rangers, they
arrived in safety at the fort, having buried the mangled remains of
the regulars on their way.:In the Illinois and Missouri Territories,
depredations had also been committed by the Indians. Governor
Edwards, of the Illinois Territory, had been very attentive to these
matters. He had sent spies into the Indian country, by whom he
had ascertained, that they were greatly elated with their success
and the prospect of driving the white people over the Ohio rive',
and were determined to carry on a desperate war against the frontiers in the month of September. To meet the emergency, he had
called, under authority fiom the war department, on the governor
of Kentucky for a regiment of men; and Colonel Barbour's regiment had been ordered by Governor Shelby to march to Kaskaskia; but General Gibson, the acting governor of Indiana, ordered it
to Vincennes when Fort Harrison was in danger, conceiving that he
was authorized to take such a step, as the lieutenant of Governor
Harrison, who was commander-in-chief of all the forces in those
Territories. Governor Edwards, though deprived of this aid, made
vigorous exertions to defend his settlement. He embodied a portion
of the militia, which he held in readiness to act whenever danger
might present. Several companies of rangers were also encamped
on the Mississippi, above St. Louis, and on the Illinois river. These
troops served to keep the savages in check in those regions.*
General I-Iarrison continued his headquarters at Franklinton and
Delaware, for the most part employing himself in the superintendence of supplies, and early in October he ordered "' all the recruits
of the regular army in the western States to be marched to the
frontiers.
For several months the army was now chiefly engaged in the
transportation of supplies over the different routes they had, or
were sooner or laerrto, march. In this relation many difficulties
arose, which were most fully set forth by General Harrison at the
time, in his report' to the President and war department. On the
22d of October, he said:'" I am not able to fix any period for the
advance of the troops to Detroit. It is pretty evident, that it cannot be done, on proper principle, until the frost shall become so severe as to enable us to: use the rivers and the margin of the lake,
for the transportation of the baggage on the ice. To: get supplies
forward, through a swampy wilderness of near two hundred miles,
in wagons or on packhorses, which are to carry their own provis*'Afee.




2836             H-'ISTORY OF FOuT WAYNE.
ions, is absolutly impossible."  The object, said he, "can be accomplished by using the margin of the lake as above mentioned, if
the troops are provided with warm clothing, and the winter is such
as it commonly is in this climate." "No species of supplies are
calculated on being found in the Michigan Territory. The farms
upon the river Raisin, which might have afforded a quantity of
forage, are nearly all broken up and destroyed. This article, then,
as well as the provisions for the men, is to be taken from this State
-a circumstance which must at once put to rest every idea for a
land conveyance at this season-since it would require at least two
wagons with forage, for each one that is loaded with provisions and
other articles."
The most important events,, of a military character, that had
transpired, up to the 22d of November, were a somewhat success1hl, though perilous movement upon a party of British and Indians
at the Rapids, by a small body of troops under General Tupper,
wherein the former were mainly put to flight, but after the retreat
of the British and many of the Indians,-a few of Tupper's men
having unthoughtedly given chase to a number of hogs for a distance of half a mile from the main body,-four of them were killed
by the Indians. The British and Indians now fell back upon the
river Raisin.
Soon after this movement, Capt. James Logan, the faithful Shawanoe chief, mentioned in a previous chapter, in connection with
thelarrny in its efforts to succor the fort here, in the early part of
September, by orders from General Harrison, had proceeded with
a small number of his tribe, to make observations in the direction
of the Rapids. Having met and been closely pursued by a superior force, when near that point, he and his men -were obliged to
disperse and retreat; and Logan, with but two of his comradesCapt. John and Bright-Horn-succeeded in reaching the camp of
Gen. Winchester, where he faithfully recounted what had occurred.
There were some persons in the camp, however, who suspected him
of having been in complicity with the enemy, and so intimated,
greatly to the displeasure and mortification of Logan, who at once
determined to refute the charge by a still further manifestation of
his fidelity to the American cause.
Accordingly, on the 22d of November, accompanied by Capt.
John and Bright-Horn, he started a second time in the direction of
the Rapids, resolved to bring in a prisoner or a scalp. Having
proceeded down the north side of the Maumee, about ten miles,
theymet with a British officer, the eldest son of Col. Elliott, and five
Indians.' Four of them being on horseback, and too strong for
them, and having no chance of escape, Logan at once determined
to pass them under the pretense of friendship and a desire to communicate to the British certain information. With this determination, they confidently advanced to the party, one of whom proved
to be Winnemac, the Pottawattamie chief, with whom the reader




DEATH OF LOGAN, THE SHAWANOE GUIDE AND SPY.     237
is already familiar, who unfortunately knew Logan well, and was
fully aware of his regard for and adherance to the Ameriean cause.
But, nevertheless, Logan persisted in his first course, telling them
he was on his way to communicate with the British. After a conversation of some time with them, they moved toward the British
lines, whereupon Winnemac and his companions turned and followed them, desiring to accompany them thither. As they traveled on together, says M'Afee, Winnemac and his party closely
watched the others, and when they had proceeded about eight
miles, he proposed to the British officer to seize and tie them. The
officer replied that they were completely in his power; that if they
attempted to run, they could be shot; or failing in that, the horses
could easily run them down. This consultation was overheard by
Logan; he had previously intended to go on peaceably till night,
and then make his escape; but he now formed the bold design of
extricating himself by a combat with double his number.
Having signified his resolution to his men, he commenced the attack by shooting down Winnemac himself. The action lasted till
they had fired three rounds apiece, during which time, Logan and
his brave companions drove the enemy some distance, and separated them from their horses. By the first fire, both Winnemac and
Elliott fell; by the second a young Ottawa chief lost his life; and
another of the enemy was mortally wounded about the conclusion
of the combat, at which time Logan himself, as he was stooping
down, received a ball just below the breast bone; it ranged downwards and lodged under the skin on his back. In the mean time,
Bright-Horn was also wounded, by a ball which passed through his
thigh. As soon as Logan was shot, he ordered a retreat; himself
and Bright-Horn, wounded as they were, jumped on the horses of
the enemy and rode to Winchester's camp,:a distance of twenty
miles in five hours. Captain John, after taking the scalp of the
Ottawa chief, also retreated in safety and arrived at the camp next
morning.
Logan had now rescued his character, as a brave and faithful
soldier, from the obloquy which had unjustly been thrown upon
him. But he preserved his honor at the expense of the next best
gift of Heaven-his life. HIis wound proved mortal. He lived
two days in agony, which he bore with uncommon fortitude, and
died with the utmost composure and resignation. " More firmness
and consummate bravery has seldom appeared on the military
theatre," said Winchester, in his letter to the commanding general.
He was buried with all the honors due to his rank, and with sorrow as sincerely and generally displayed, as I ever witnessed,"
said Major Hardin, in a letter to Governor Shelby. His physiognomy was formed on the best model, and exhibited the strongest
marks of courage, intelligence, good humor and sincerity. It was
said by the Indians, that the British had offered one hundred and
fifty dollars for his scalp. He had been very serviceable to our




238               HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
cause by acting as a guide and spy. He had gone with General
Hull to Detroit, and with the first Kentucky troops, who marched
to the relief of Fort Wayne.
Captain Logan, it will be remembered; had been taken prisoner
by General Logan, of Kentucky, in the year 1786, when he was a
youth. Before the treaty of Greenville, he had distinguished himself as a warrior, though still very young. His mother was a sister
to the celebrated Tecumseh and the Prophet. He stated, that, in
the summer preceding his death, he had talked one whole night
with Tecumseh, and endeavored to persuade him to remain at peace,
while Tecumseh, on the contrary, endeavored to engage him in the
war on the side of the British. His wife, when she was young, had
also been taken prisoner by Colonel Hardin, in 1789, and had remained in the family till the treaty of Greenville. In the army he
had formed an attachment for Major Hardin, the son of the colonel,
and son-in-law of General Logan, and now requested him to see
that the money due for his services was. faithfully paid to his family.
He also requested, that his family might be removed immediately
to Kentucky, and his children educated and brought up in the manner of the white people. He observed that he had killed a'great
chief; that the hostile Indians knew where his family lived, and
that when he was gone, a few base fellows might creep up and destroy them.
Major Hardin having promised to do everything in his power
to have the wishes of his friend fulfilled, immediately obtained permission from the general to proceed with Logan's little corps of Indians to the village of Wapoghconata,where his family resided.
When they came near the village, the scalp of the Ottawa chief
was tied to a pole, to be carried in triumph to the council house; and
Captain John, when they came in sight of the town; ordered the
guns of the party to be fired in quick succession, on account of the
death of Logan. A council of the chiefs were presently held, in
which, after consulting two or three days, they decided against sending the family of their departed hero to Kentucky. They appeared
however to be fully sensible of' the loss they had sustained, and
were sincerely grieved for his death.
About the time that Tupper's expedition to the Rapids was in execution, General Harrison determined to send an expedition of
horsemen against the Miamies, assembled in the towns on the Mississiniwa river, a branch of the Wabash. A deputation of chiefs
from those: Indians met General Harrison at St. Mary's, early in
October, and sued for peace-they agreed to abide by tle decision
of the President, and in the meantime to send in five chiefs to be
held as hostages. The President replied to the communication of
the general on this subject, that, as the disposition of the several
tribes would be known best by himself, he must treat them as their
co'nduct and the public interest might in his judgment, require. The
hostages were never sent in, and further information of their in



I[MOVEMENTS ON THE MISSISSIN1WA.        239
tended hostility was obtained. At the time of their peace mission,
they were alarmed by the successful movements which had been
made against other tribes from Fort Wayne, and by the formidable
expedition which was penetrating their country under General
Hopkins. But the failure of that expedition was soon afterwards
known to them, and they determined to continue hostile. A white
man by the name of William Connor, who had resided many years
with the Delawares, and had a wife among them,.but who was
firmly attached to the American cause in this war, was sent to the
towns to watch the movements of the Miamies. He visited the villages on the Mississiniwa river, and was present at several of their
councils. The question of war with the United States and union
with the British was warmly debated, and there was much division
among the chiefs, but the war party at last prevailed. The presence and intrigues of Tecumseh, and afterwards the retreat of General Hopkins, rendered them nearly unanimous for war.
To avert the evils of their hostility, was the object'of the expedition against Mississiniwa. Said Harrison: " The situation of this
town, as it regards one line of operations, even if the hostility of
the inhabitants was less equivocal: would render a measure of this
kind highly proper; but from the circumstance of General -opkin's failure, it becomes indispensable. Relieved from the fears
excited by the invasiohi of their country, the Indians from the upper
part of the Illinois river, and to the south of Lake Michigan, will
direct all their efforts against Fort Wayne and' the convoys which
are to follow the left wing of the army. Mississiniwa will be their
rendezvous, where they will receive provisions and every assistance
they may require for any hostile enterprise. From that place they
can, by their runners, ascertain the period at which every convoy
may set out from St. Mary's, and with certainty intercept it on its
way to-the Miami (Maumee) Rapids. But that place being broken
uip, and theprovisions destroyed, there will be nothing to subsist
any body of Indians, nearer than the Potawatamie towns on the
waters of the St. Josephs of the Lake."
This detachment numbtered about six hundred mounted men,
armed with rifles. They left Franklinton on the 25th of November,
by way of Dayton and Greenville; and reached the Indian towns
on the Mississiniwa towards the middle of December, "suffering
much With the cold. In a rapid charge upon the first village, eight
warriors were.killed, and' forty-two taken prisoners, consisting0 of
men, women and children.' About half an hour before'day; the
morning following this charge, the detachment was attacked by the
nidians, and after a sha rp but short encounter, with a loss of eight
killed, and forty-eight wounded, several of whom afterwards died,
the enemy, despairing of success, fled p'recipitately, with a heavy
loss.
Learning from a prisoner, that Tecumseh was within eighteen
miles of them, with a body of six hundred warriors, with the numn




240              HISTORY OF FORT WATYE.
her of wounded then to be cared for, it was deemed advisable to
return, and the detachment, having previously destroyed the towns
they had approached, together with all the property therein, started
upon their return march, and reached Dayton during the early part
of January.
"The good effect;,of the expedition was soon felt," says M'Afee.
It let us distinctly know who were our friends and who were our
enemies. amono the Indians."
The winter being, severe, and unfavorable to transportation, the
army suffered many privations for the want of a sufficiency of provisions and clothing.
Though General Harrison had repeatedly presented the many
difficulties attendant upon' a movement, at this period, against Detroit and other points, the government and people were yet restless,
and a continued anxiety was manifest for a forward march against
the British.
On the 10th of January, 1813, General Winchester, having previously received orders to advance towards the British lines, reached
the RIapids, preceded by a detachment of six hundred and seventy
men, under General Payne, who had been ordered to attack a party
of Indians gathered in an old fortification at Swan Creek.
A. large stone house was now built within the encampment, at
the Rapids, to secure the provisions and, baggage. A considerable quantity of corn was also gathered.in the fields, and apparatus
for pounding and sifting it being made, it suppplied the troops
with very wholesome bread.*
It now soon became apparent that an attack was meditated by
the British upon the forces under Winchester, they having heard,
through some Indians, of the advance of the army,
On the morning of the 17th, General Winchester detached Col.
Lewis, with five hundred and fifty men, for the river Raisin; and a
few hours later, Lewis' detachment was followed by one hundred
and ten more under Col. Allen. On the morning:of this day Gen.
Winchester also sent a message to General Hatrison, acquainting
him with the movements made, and desiring a reiniorcement, in
case of opposition in an effort to possess and hold Frenchtown.t
With this express was also sent word that four hundred Indians
were at the river Raisin, and that Elliott was expected from Mailden, with a detachment destined to attack the camp at the Rapids.
Early on the morning of the 19th, the messenger reached and
acquainted General Harrison with the word sent by General WinFhester upon which he ordered another detachment to proceed at
once to the Rapids, withwhich he also proceeded, whither he arrived on the morning of the 20th.
In the meantime, on the 18th, the troops underLewis and Allen,
who had proceeded towards the river Raisin, with a view of occuM'Afee.
t Which was situated between Presque'lsle and Malden.




ENGAGEMENT AT FRENCHTOWN, AND DEATH OF COL. ALLEN. 241
pying Frenchtown, had been attacked by the enemy, who were
driven back with considerable loss, leaving the town in the possession of Allen and Lewis' troops.
This movement was soon communicated to Gen. Winchester, at
the Rapids, who at once set out, with a small body of men, for the
relief of the forces at Frenchtown, and arrived at the river Raisin
on the 20th. The British, from Malden, were now preparing to renew the attack of the 18th, and, on the night of the 21st, had advanced, unobserved, to a point very near the lines of Lewis and
Allen's forces, who had, since the former engagement, been joined
by Gen. Winchester, with two hundred and fifty men.
Early on the morning of the 22d, the British, with a large body
of Indians, having approached within about three hundred yards
of the American lines, began to open a heavy charge of cannon
and musketry upon them, and soon succeeded in nearly surrounding them.
The Americans fought bravely, but were soon overpowered, and
an indiscriminate slaughter was begun by the Indians.  In their
confusion and dismay," the Americans " attempted to pass a long
narrow lane, through which the road passed.firon the village. The
Indians were on both sides, and shot them down in every direction.
A large party, which had gained the wood, on the right, were surrounded and massacred without distinction, nearly one hundred
men being tomahawked within the distance of one hundred yards.
The most horrible destruction overwhelmed the fugitives in every
direction.
" Captain Simpson was shot and tomahawked at the edge of the
woods, near the mouth of the lane. COLONEL ALLEN,* though wounded in his thigh, attempted to rally his men several times, entreating
them to halt and sell their lives as dearly as possible. He had
escaped about two miles, when, at length, wearied and exhausted,
snd disdaining perhaps to survive the defeat, he sat down on a log,
determined to meet his fate. An Indian chief, observing him to be
an officer of distinction, was anxious to take him prisoner. As
soon as he came near the Colonel, he threw his gun across his lap,
and told him in the Indian language to surrender, and he should be
safe. Another savage having, at the same time, advanced with a
hostile appearance, Colonel ALLEN, by one stroke with his sword,
laid him dead at his feet. A third Indian, who was near him, had
then the honor of shooting one of the first and greatest citizens of
Kentucky. Captain AMead, of the regular army, who had fought by
the side of Colonel Daveiss, when he fell in the battle of Tippecanoe,
was killed where the action commenced. Finding that the situation
of the corps was rendered despeiate by the approach of the enemy,
he gave orders to his men-" My brave f'llows,' (cried he,) " charge
upon them;" and a moment afterwards he was no more.
eMentioned in a preceding chapter as the person after wholm Allen County was
named.                     (16)




242              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
" A party with Lieutenant Garrett, consisting of fifteen or twenty
men, after retreating about a mile and a half, were compelled to
surrender, and were then all massacred, but the lieutenant himself.
Another party of about thirty men had escaped near three miles,
when they were overtaken by the savages, and having surrendered,
about one-half of them were shot and tomahawked. In short, the
greater part of those who were ih the retreat) fell a sacrifice to the
fury of the Indians. The snow was so deep, and the cold so intense,
that they were soon exhausted, and unable to elude their pursuers.
Gen. Winchester and Colonel Lewis, with a few more, were captured at a bridge, about three-quarters of a mile from the village.
Their coats being taken from them, they were carried back to the
British lines, where Colonel Proctor commanded."*
A small party, under Majors Graves and Madison, having placed
themselves behind some picketing, where they maintained their
position and fought bravely, until an order, reported as coming from
General Winchester, was brought by Proctor, who was accompanied
by one of his aids, desiring them to surrender. Major Madison remarked " that it had been customary for the Indians to massacre
the wounded and prisoners after a surrender, and that he would not
agree to any capitulation, which General Winchester might direct,
unless the safety and protection of his men were stipulated." To
which Proctor replied:'" Sir, do you mean to dictate to me?" "No,"
said Madlison; "1 mean to dictate for myself, and we prefer selling
our lives as dearly as possible, rather than be massacred in cold
blood."
Terms, embodying positive protection to all, having at length
been agreed upon, Madison surrendered, and his party reached
Maiden in safety. But the Indians soon returned to the scene of
disaster, and began an unmerciful slaughter of the wounded, stripping them, and even setting fire to the houses in which many of
them were sheltered, burning them with the buildings. About 300
Americans were in this way and in the struggle that preceded the
burning of the bodies, killed, and 547 taken prisoners.
Such was the sad fate of this expedition. Suoh was the merciless spirit of British warfare at this period of our history. And the
unwillingness of the troops to advance from Fort Wayne at the
announcement of a change of general commanders, after the rescue
of the garrison here from the wily efforts of the besiegers, would
have seemed to have foreshadowed the terrible result of the engagement of Frenchtown.
General Harrison, on the morning of the 22d, (the news of Winchester's attack having reached him at the Rapids,) ordered Perkin's brigade to proceed to his relief, and soon followed himself, in
the rear of some reinforcements under Payne, which he is said to
have soon overtaken. But they had not proceeded far, when they
were eet by some men from the scene of defeat, who readily told
-M''Afe.




EFFECTS OF THE DEFEAT OF FRENCETOWN.        243
the sad story of the fate that had befallen their comrades in arms.
But General Harrison was only nerved to push on with greater
speed. Soon again, however, after proceeding some distance towards the scene of disaster, another party was met, and, after a
council as to the wisdom and safety of proceeding further, it was
deemed proper to venture no nearer the scene of conflict and disaster, feeing assured that no succor could be rendered the victims of
the furious red men and merciless British opponents-that a further advancement would only tend to furnish more material for
massacre and defeat; and so the main body returned to the Rapids.
General Winchester, Colonel Lewis, and Major MIadison, were
finally sent to Quebec, where, and at Beaufort, they were'confined
till the spring of 1814.
The gloom that had spread over the country at the receipt of the
news of the sad disaster to the flower of the Kentucky troops at
Frenchtown, was indeed great; but the people soon rallied agaiun
and it was not long till large reinforcements began to swell the
ranks of the regular army for a determined and vigorous effort
for the overthrow of British rule and future safety from Indian
atrocities.'Z    ava




CHAPTtER XX.
"Upward, onward, in the battle,'Never resting, never weary,
Till victory crowns the fight."
Situation of affairs after the slaughter of Frenchtown-Heavy draft on Kentucet-.
Efforts of the British-The importance of placing the Kentucky militia at Fort'Wayne —The British commander determines to march the American army to Montreal-Advance of the British and Indians on Fort Meigs-The British again
occupy old Fort Miami, at the foot of the Rapids —Indians invest the American
camp-Gen. Harrison's address-.Bombaldment of Fort Meigs by the British —
Efforts of Tecumseh and the Prophet —Futher movements of the British-Their
batteries silenced by the Americans —Reinforcements under Gen. Green Clay —Order to Gen. Clay, and its execution —.Capture of Fort Miami —The Americans
overpowered, and many captured and killed —Orders not obeyed, and disaster
the result-Removal of American prisoners-Success of Gen. D)earborn at Fort
George, and evacuation of old Fort Miami by the British-Indians dissatisfied.
~il  FTER the terrible slaughter of Frenchtown, but little of great
importance occurred until the latter part of April, 1813.      On
~,pthe 16th of February, of this year, the Governor of Kentucky,
"-' in compliance with a law that had been recently passed in that
State, had ordered a draft of three thousand men, to be organized into four regiments, under Colonels Dudley, Boswell, Cox, and
Caldwell, under the command of General Green Clay. As the season advanced, it became evident that the British would soon make
an attack on the American lines at Fort Meigs; and this was made
the more certain from the fact that the enemy had recently learned
the situation of affairs in the American army from a prisoner they
had ta.ken.
This condition of affairs being communicated to the war department, " the propriety of calling out the balance of the Kentucky
draft, to be placed at Fort Wayne to keep the Indians in check, was
pressed on the attention of the government.7?*
Both the American and British armies now soon became active
in their movements against each other; and the British commander
made bold to assert that he would march the northwestern army,
under Gen. tHarrisol, to Montreal by the first of June.'i.'Afee.




INVESTMENT OF FORT MEIGS BY THE BRITISH AND INDIANS. 145
During the latter part of the month of April,the British had often
been seen, in small bodies, near Fort Meigs, by scouts sent out by
the commanding-general; and on the 26th of April, the enemy's
advance was observed at the mouth of the bay, within a few miles
of Fort Meigs. On the 28th of April, as Captain Hamilton was
descending the Maumee, with a small reconnoitering party, he beheld the whole force of the British and Indians approaching within
a few miles of the fort.
The British now soon drew up at old Fort Miami, just below the
scene of Wayne's engagement with the Indians, in 1794, on the
opposite side of the river, nearly fronting Fort Meigs, and began
at once to land and mount their guns, the Indians being at once
removed to the south-west side of the river, where they readily began to invest the American camp-yelling and firing their muskets.
General Harrison was now most attentive and energetic in his
efforts; and on the following morning, he addressed the troops in
language and feeling which had the effect to inspire all under him
with the largest courage and determination. Said he: " Can the
citizens of a free country, who have taken arms to defend its rights,
think of submitting to an army composed of mercenary soldiers,
reluctant Canadians, goaded to the field by the bayonet, and of
wretched, naked savages? Can the breast of an American soldier,
when he casts his eyes to the opposite shore, the scene of his country's triumphs over the same foe, be influenced by any other feelings than the hope of glory? Is not this army composed of the
same materials with that which fought and conquered under the
immortal Wayne? Yes, fellow-soldiers, your general sees your
countenances beam with the same fire that he witnessed on that
glorious occasion; and although it would be the height of presumption to compare himself to that hero, he boasts of being that hero's
pupil. To your posts, then, fellow-citizens, and remember that the
eyes of your country are upon you."
About the first of May, the British having completed their batterteries, they commenced a heavy cannonading against fort Meigs,
which was continued for five days, with but little effect. The
American batteries returned the fire with good effect, but with no
great amount of energy, not wishing to waste their balls and amunition.
Tecumseh and the Prophet, with a body of some six hundred Indians, since the fatal affair of Frenchtown, (Tecumseh not having
been present at that engagement) had joined the British, and were
now most active in their efforts against the Americans.
About the time of the opening of the British batteries, General
HI-arrison had expected a reinforcement under General Green Clay;
and when the movements of the British became fully apparent, Captain Oliver, accompanied by a.white man and an Indian, was sent
as a messenger to General Clay, with letters also for the Governors of Ohio and Kentucky.




246               HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
Fears had been entertained that the enemy would at length make
an effort to gain a nearer approach to the fort, from the opposite
side of the river, and there erect a battery; which soon became
evident, and on the 3d, three field pieces and a howitzer were opened upon the American camp from a clump of bushes on the left,
but were soon hushed by a few eighteen pounders from the American batteries. Changing their position, their batteries were again
opened upon the American camp. but with an air of mistrust and
with but little effect. Says Colonel Wood, of the American forces:'4 With a plenty of ammunition, we should have been able to have
blown John Bull almost from the lMiami (Maumee.)' *' It
was extremely diverting to see with what plea sure and delight the
Indians would yell, whenever in their opinion considerable damage
was done in camp by the bursting of a shell. Their hanging about
the camp, and occasionally coming pretty near, kept our lines almost constantly in a blaze of fire; for nothing can please a Kentuckian better than to get a shot at an Indian-r-iand he must be indulged." 
With a reinforcement of some twelve hundred Kentuckians, General Clay soon drew. near.  Captain Oliver had met him at
Fort Winchester. General Harrison immediately sent an order to
General Clay, which wvas delivered by Captain Hamilton, requesting him to detach " about 800 men fiom his brigade, and to land
them at a point he would direct, about a mile, or a mile and a half
above camp Meigs. I will then conduct the detachment," continues General Harrison, in this order,' to the British batteries on
the left bank of the river. The batteries must be taken, the cannon
spiked, and carriages cut down  and the troops must then return
to their boats and cross over to the fort. The balance of your men,"
said he, " miust land on the fort side of the river, opposite the first
landing, and light their way into the irt (Miami) through the Indians."
This order was readily complied with.' Colonel Dudley being
the oldest Colonel, led the van. As soon as Captain HIamilton had
delivered the orders, General Clay, who was in the thirteenth boat
from the front, directed him to go to Colonel Dudley, with orders
to take the twelve front boats and execute the plans of General
H-arrison on the left bank, and to post the subaltern with the canoe
on the right bank, as a beacon for his landing.'"
Though somewhat " marred in the execution," yet the plans of
General Harrison proved'a success; and after some effort, with
skillful manceuvering, the point of attack was,gained, and the
British flag cut down, to the infinite delight of the troops in the
American garrison above.
General Harrison, who had been watching, with great concern,
through his spy-glass, from a battery n'ext to the river, the movements of the troops in the execution of this order, had discovered
the enemy approaching the fort below (Miami) by a route that
M'Afee.




RE-CAPTURE OF FORT MIAMI, BY THE BRITISH.    247
would enable them to surprise the men under Dudley; and at once
began to make signs for them to retreat to their boats, but without
success. The General finally sent a messenger to warn them of
their danger. Lieutenant Campbell undertook the mission; but he
could not reach them in time. A party of Indians had fired upon
the spies sent out, who were soon reinforced, by command of Colonel Dudley. Many of the men rushed rapidly forward in pursuit
of'the Indians. The left column still holding their position, were
now soon encountered by the British artillerists, largely reinforced,
who overpowered the Americans, capturing some at the battery,
while others fled to the boats. The Indians had also been reinforced, and began their usual work of tomahawking, etc,
The greater part of the men were captured by the Indians or surrendered to the British. Colonel Dudley had received a wound,
and was finally tomahawked by the savages. The number:that
escaped and regained the fort was less than two hundred. Had orders been strictly obeyed, which was not tho case, says M'Afee,
"the day would certainly have been an important one for the
country."
" The prisoners," says Colonel Wood, "were taken down to headquarters, put into fort Miami, and the Indians permitted to garnish
the surrounding rampart, and to amuse themselves by, loading and
firing at the crowd, or at any particular individual. Those who
preferred to inflict a still more cruel and savage death, selected their
victims, led them to the gateway, and there zunder the eye /f general 7Prootor, and in the'presence of the whole British army, tomahawked and scalped them n'
For about two hours these acts of unmitigated ferocity and barbarity to prisoners of war was permitted and continued;  during
which time, upwards of twenty prisoners, defenseless and confined,
were massacred in the presence of the magnanimomus Britons, to
whom they had surrendered, and by the allies, too, with whom
those Britons had voluntarily associated themselves, knowing and.
encouraging their mode of warfare. The chiefs, at the same time,
were holding a council on the fate of the prisoners, in which the
Pottawattamies, who were painted black, were for killing the whole,
and by their warriors the murders were perpetrated. The Miamies
and Wyandotts were on the side of humanity, and opposed the
wishes of the others. The dispute between them had become serious, when Colonel Elliott and Tecumseh came down from the batteries to the scene of carnage. As soon as Tecumsel beheld it, he
flourished his sword, and in a loud voice ordered them'for shame
to desist. It is a disgrace,' said he,'to kill a defenseless prisoner.'
His orders were obeved, to the great joy of the prisoners, who had
by this time lost all hopes of being preserved. In this single act,
Tecumseh displayed more humanity, magnanimity, and civilization
than Proctor, with all his British associates in command, displayed
through the whole war on the northwestern frontiers."*
*M'Afee.




'248              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNS.
Retaining the prisoners in this place till pight, many of the
wounded for hours experiencing " the most excruciating torments,"
they were placed in " the British boats and carried down the river
to the brig Hunter, and a schooner, where several hundred of them
were stowed away in the hold of the brig, and kept there for two
days and nights. Their sufferings in this situation," says Colonel
M'Afee," are not to be described by me: I leave them to be imagined by those who can feel for the wrongs of their country." Being
finally liberated on parole, however, these prisoners were "landed
at the mouth of Huron river, below the Sandusky bay."
At the conclusion of the disasterous movement at Fort Miami,
but little of interest occurred while the British continued the siege;
and having soon learned of the capture of Fort George, by General
Dearborn, the British commander, on the 9th of May, evacuated
the old Fort at the foot of the Rapids. Alarm had not only taken
sudden possession of the Bridish on receipt of the capture of Fort
George, but the Indians, too, had snuffed the air of defeat, and
had become much disaffected by the movements and success of
the Americans against their British father; and before the evacuation of Fort Miami had been fully'consummated, it was thought
by many inthe American army that they had measurably left the
British standard.
The Prophet and his followers had been promised the Michigan
Territory, and General Harrison was to be delivered up to Tecumseh. But all was now disaster to them, and their former hope
of one day being able, by the aid of their British father, to drive
the Americans beyond the Ohio, had vanished forever from their
hearts.




CHAPTER XXI.
*   A.   #   5.  *    5.
"And has the West no story
Of deathless deeds sublime?
Go ask yon shining river."
Movements at Fort Wayne —Plan of Richard M. Johnson —Communication of the
Secretary of War to Gen. Harrison-Mounted volnnteers under Col. Johnson-His
address-Ordered to proceed to Fort Wayne, and to scour the northwestern frontier
-Demand for more troops-Johnson's regiment-Indian guides-Anthony Shane
-Johnson's march to Fort Wayne-Boat fired upon by the Indians, near lthe Fort
-Pursuit of the Indians-An expedition-Anticipated attack from the BritishHarrison's intervie w with the Indians-Movements towards Lower Sandusky-Reinvestment of Fort Meigs by the British and Indians-Surprise of a picket-guard
-Depredations by the Indians-Movements of Tecumsehl-Heavy firing on the
Sandusky road-Movements of the British-Council of war-Fort Stephenson —
Bravery of the American troops-Valor of Major Croghan, and high appreciation
of his course-A Wyandott scout.
I URING much of the time since the transfer of the theatre of
strife and siege from Fort Wayne to points below, along the
Maumee and elsewhere, but little had occurred here of marked
interest.    The garrison had been watchful; the Indians had
been active in the region, but their attention had mainly been
called away by the action and command of their British father below and about the Rapids of the Maumee.
The principal object of the expeditions against the Indians, from
Fort Wayne and other points, as the reader will remember, was to
destroy their provisions and means of subsistence, thereby effectually disabling them   for renewed efforts in the following spring
(1813); and Richard M. Johnson, who had witnessed the effect of
these movements and the efficiency of the mounted riflemen, on his
return to Congress, had laid before the war department a plan for
a mounted expedition against the tribes, as already referred to, during the winter of 1812-'13.
The good effects of the expeditions were stated by him to be:
"Security to the northwestern frontiers from    Fort Wayne to the
Mississippi-to the convoys of provisions for the northwestern
army, when its force was diminished in the spring, and the neutral



250              I-ISTORY OF FOET WAY\rNE.
ity of the savages in future, from the powerful impression that
would be made on their fears; that the winter season would be
most favorable for the moveme-etenabling the horsemen, while
snow was on the ground, and the leaves off the bushes, to hunt out
and destroy the Indians prowling about."
With this view, two regiments, consisting of about 1280 men, were
proposed to be employed, which weie then considered sufficient to
traverse the entire Indian country, from Fort Wayne to the lower
end of, and beyond, Lake Michigan, by way of the Illinois river,
back to the river Ohio, near Louisville, Ky.; and " to disperse and
destroy all the tribes of Indians and their resources to be found
within that compass." Colonel Johnson also presented this subject
to the Governor of Kentucky; and, the same was finally submitted,
by the Secretary of war, to General I-arrison, on the 26th of December, 1812. Said the Secretary, in this communication "The
President has it in contemplation to set on foot an expedition from
Kentucky of about 1000 mounted men, to pass by Fort Wayne, the
lower end of lake Michigan, and round by the Illinois back to the
Ohio near Louisville, for the purpose of scouring that country, destroying the provisions collected in the Indian villages, scourging
the Indians themselves, and disabling them from interfering with
your operatious. It is expected that this expedition will commence
in February (1813); and it will terminate in a few weeks.. I give
you the information, that you may take it into consideration in the
estimate of those arrangements, you may find it necessary to make,
for carrying into effect the objects of the government. I send you
a copy of the proposed plan, on which I wish to hear from you
without delay. You will particularly state, whether you can effect
these objects in the manner which is suggested, by adequate portions of the force now in the field; and in that case, whether it will
be better to suspend the movement of this force until the spring.."
In the expedition under Colonel Campbell,. in the middle of the
winter, to the towns on the Miissssinewa, as the reader4will remember, General Harrison had already anticipated the plan of Colonel
Johnson.
After having further considered the proposition of Colonel Johnson, General Harrison made the following reslonse:
"I am sorry not to be able to agree with my friend, Colonel Johnson, upon the propriety of the contemplated mounted expedition.
An expedition of this kind directed against a particular town. will
probably succeed. The Indian towns cannot be surprised in siuccession, as they give the alarm from one to the other with nore
rapidity than our troops can move. In the months of February,
March, and April, the towns are all abandoned. The men are hunting, and the women and children, particularly to the north of the
Wabash, are scattered about making sugar. The corn is in that
season universally hid in small parcels in the earth, and could not
be found. There are no considerable villages in that direction.




RESPONSE OF GEN. HARRISON TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 251
Those that are there are composed of bark huts, which the Indians
do not care for, and which during the winter are entirely empty.
The detachment might pass through the whole extent of country
to be scoured, without seeing an Indian, except at the first town
they struck, and it is more than probable, that they would find it
empty. But the expedition is impracticable to the extent proposed.
The horses, if not the men, would perish. The horses that are now
to be found, are not like those of the early settlers, and such as the
Indians and traders now have. They have been accustomed to
corn, and must have it. Colonel Campbell went but 70 or 80 miles
from the frontiers, and the greater part of his horses could.scarcely
be brought in. Such an expedition in the summer and fall would
be highly advantageous, because the Indians are then at their
towns, and their corn can be destroyed. An attack upona particular town in the winter, when the inhabitants are at it, as we know
they are at Miissssinivway, and which is so near as to enable the
detachment to reach it without killing their horses, is not only practicable, but if there is snow on the ground is perhaps the most
favorable."
These practical suggestions of the General were sufficient. The
plan was abandoned, and " the attention of government was directed to the organization of a mounted corps for the spring; " and
Colonel Johnson was " authorized to organize, and hold in readiness, a regiment of mounted volunteers-which he readily complied
with, on his return to Kentucky, at the close of the session of Congress, and sodn moved towards the scene of action.
Addressing his men, he said: " The regiment of mounted volunteers was organized under the authority of the war department, to
await its call, or to meet any crisis which might involve the honor,
the rights and the safety of the country. That crisis has arrived.
Fort Meigs is attacked. The northwestern army is surrounded by
the enemy, and under the command of general aarrison is nobly
defending the cause of the country against a combined enemy, the
British and Indians. Theywill maintain their ground till relieved.
The intermediate garrisons are also in imminent danger, and may
fall a bleeding sacrifice to savage cruelty, unless timely reinforced.
The frontiers may be deluged in blood. The mounted regiment
will present a shield to the defenseless; and united with the forces
now marching, and the Ohio volunteers for the same purpose, will
drive the enemy from our soil. Therefore on Thursday, the 20th
of May, the regiment will rendezvous at the Great Crossings in
Scott county, except the companies, &c., which will rendezvous on
the 22d at Newport; at which place, the whole corps will draw
arms, ammunition, &c."
Calling upon General dHarrison, who, at this time, w-as at Cincinnati visiting his family, who then lived there, Colonel Johnson's
regiment was accepted, and he was ordered by General Harrison to
proceed immediately to Fort Wayne, to take command here and of




152               HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
the posts on the Auglaize; also " to make incursions into the country of the Indians; to scour the northwestern frontiers; and, if
possible, to cut off small parties who might infest the forts, or be
marching from the Illinois and Wabash towards Malden and Detroit
-never to remain at one place more than three days."
An officer from each regiment was at once sent back to raise
another body of men. The regiment under Johnson was composed as follows:
R. AM. Johnson, Colonel; James Johnson, Lieutenant-colonel.
First battalion-Duval Payne, Major; Robt. B. M'Afee,* Riichard
Matison, Jacob Elliston, Benjamin Warfield, John Payne, (cavalry)
Elijah Craig, Captains.
Second battalion-David Thompson, Major; Jacob Stucker, Jas.
Davidson, S. R. Combs, W. M. Price, James Coleman, captains.
Staff-Jeremiah Kertly, Adjutant; 1. S. Chambers, Quartermaster; Samuel Theobalds, Judge-advocate; L. Dickinson, Sargeantmaj or.
James Sugget, Chaplain and Major of the spies; L. Sandford,
Quartermaster-sargeant; subsequently added, Dr. Ewing, Surgeon,
and Drs. Coburn and Richardson, surgeon's mates.
The regiment arrived at Fort Meigs on the first of June, 1813.
From this point Colonel Johnson proceeded alone to the Indian
village of Wapoghconata, on the Auglaize, " to procure some
Shawanoe Indians to act as guides and spies;" and after a few
days returned with thirteen, Indians, among whom was the halfbred, Anthony Shane, whose father was a Frenchman, and in whom
the largest confidence was placed by those who knew, him in the
northwestern army. Shane had been an active opponent of Wayne,
in 1794, but after the treaty of Greenville, had been a most faithful
friend of the United States.
On the 5th of June, the regiment under Johnson again took up
its line of march for Fort Wayne. When the troops reached Shane's
crossing of the St. Mary, about forty miles from Fort Wayne, they
were halted and drilled for some time, and here remained over
night. Heavy rains having but recently fallen, the St. Mary was
found impassible; and on the following morning a rude bridge was
formed over this stream by felling trees across it, upon which the
army crossed with their baggage and guns, while their horses were
gotten over by swimming them by the side of the fallen timber.
The remainder of the route to Fort Wayne proved very difficult;
" all the flats and marshes being covered with water, and the roads
very miry."t
Reaching the Fort on the evening of the 7th of June, it was
found that the boats had all gained the common landing place, at
the base of the hill, just below the garrison, in safety, but one,
which had stranded on a sand-bar a short distance above, in sight
of the fort; and while attempting to get the boat off, the boatmen
Author of " History of the Late War in the Western Country."  tM'Afee.




AN EXPEDITION FROM FORT WAYNE.           253 
were fired upon by some Indians lurking near, and two of the men
killed, while the third, in attempting to swim to the shore, was
drowned.
Arriving a little in advance of the regiment, Colonel Johnson
and staff, as soon as it was possible to get ready, mounted their
horses and crossed to the boat. The Indians at once fired upon
their advance, and then retreated.
The spies having now suggested that the Indians were considerably stronger than the party under Colonel Johnson, a pursuit was
deferred until the arrival of the regiment, when a chase was
immediately commenced and continued for some ten miles; but rain
beginning to fall heavily, the party was compelled to return to the
fort again, without having gained sight of the Indians.
But a further pursuit was at once determined upon; and the next
day, (the 8th) after a council of officers, and some necessary preparation, an expedition was formed to proceed in the direction of
the southeast end of Lake Michigan. With this view, the regiment, towards evening, deposited their heavy baggage in the fort;
supplied themselves with ten days' provisions, and soon crossed the
St. Mary, to encamp for the night in the forks, opposite the garrison,
where the river had now just begun to rise;" though,"l says M'Afee,
"on the evening of the 5th, it had been at the top of its banks at
Shane's crossing, but forty miles from its mouth by land. Hence,"
continues he, " if we suppose the current to run three miles an hour,
(which is near the truth), the distance by water would be two hundred miles, so extremely crooked is the course of the river.'
Early on the following day, the regiment took the Indian trail
again, leading towards the old Pottawattamie village of Five Medals, which had been destroyed, as the reader will remember, the
previous year, but whichwas now thought to have been rebuilt. The
regiment marched forty miles this day, before night. Stopping
now to rest and permit the horses to graze, with a view to an attack
upon the Indian village at daylight the next morning, a heavy rain
came up, preventing the execution of the plan; but " after encountering many obstacles in crossing high waters and marshes, they
arrived at the Elkhart river before it had risen so as to be impassable, and in half an hour afterwards the village of Five Medals was
gained and surrounded;' but found unoccupied.
Determining now to visit a village on the other side of the St.
Joseph of the Lake, known as Paravash, on the morning of the
11th, the regiment began its march for that point, but, upon arriving at the St. Joseph, and finding it impassable, further movement
upon this village was abandoned. A rapid advance was now made
upon the White Pigeon's town, arriving there in the afternoon of
that day, meeting a few Indians on the way, who madebtheir escape
in a canoe across a stream on the route, which was also found impassable. The village of White Pigeon had long been the most
extensive Indian town in that region; and the main trace of the




254                HIsTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
Indians, front Chicago and the Illinois country to Detroit, passed
directly through this town, but appeared to have been but' little
traversed that spring. Here, near this village, the regiment encamped till the following day, when, having fulfilled his instructionsto visit this trace, with a view to intercepting any movements
of the enemy that might be making by this route, and finding also
that the provisions of the troops had, been considerably. damaged
by the rains encountered, Colonel Johnson determined to return to
Fort Wayne; and, as there was an Indian path; at that time leading
direct from the White Pigeon town to Fort Wayne, the regiment
now began its return march over this trail for the Fort, whither, after
a march, in all, with heavy rains every day, of some two hundred
miles, on the 14th,. the troops again drew up at the Fort here, considerably fatigued, though as determined and earnest as ever in
their patriotic efforts.
Though not encountering the Indians in his route, or finding
them at either of the villages visited, yet the movements of the expedition under Colonel Johnson greatly increased his knowledge
of the country; and it was now soon ascertained that all the Indians in the British service, and who had principally been engaged
in the siege of Fort Meigs. were still mainly held and maintained
in the vicinity of Malden.
After a few days' stay at Fort Wayne, and finding themselves
much rested from their late fatiguing and most disaoreeable march,
the regiment under Johnson proceeded down the Maumee, with an
escort of provisions, to Fort Winchester. The provisions were
placed in boats, with a number of men to man them, while the
troops continued their way along the road opened by General Winchester, on the north side of the Maumee, encamping every night
with the boats. Arriving at Fort Winchester, Colonel Johnson received a dispatch from General Harrison, recommending him to
make an attack on the enemy at Raisin and Browntown. To this
suggestion, though by no means explicit, Colonel Johnson at once
began to give his attention, feeling, from his high sense of patriotism and regard for General Harrison and any suggestion emanating
from him, that the plan should be executed, if possible.
Having, just before this suggestion to Colonel Johnson, heard of
the success of the American arms below Fort Meigs, and " that
General Proctor was ordered in that direction to assist in repelling
the invaders; and believing that Proctor had left Malden with a considerable portion of his force, the General supposed that an excellent opportunity had offered to attack his savage allies in the Michigan Territory, by a coup de main, with the mounted regiment."
But Colopel Johnson, owing to the fact of his horses being much
exhausted from the effects of their late expedition from Fort Wayne,
as well as for lack of a sufficient number of men, a detachment of
his regiment having been engaged in escorting provisions from St.
Mary's, was unable to carry out immediately the plan proposed by




RELIEF OF FORT MEIGS.              2955
General Harrison. The execution of the plan proposed was considered most hazzardous indeed  and to have attempted a march,of a " hundred miles, through swamps and marshes, and over difficult rivers, with guides not very well acquainted with the country,"
and with horses greatly worn down," to attack a body of Indians
who could, in a few hours, raise more than double the force of the
regiment of 700 men then under Johnson, required some consideration as well as time and preparation. " But fortunately for the regimeat, on the next day an express arrived from General Clay, commanding at Fort Meigs, with information that the British and Indians threatened to invest that place again, and with a request that
Colonel Johnson would march his regiment there immediately for
its relief. Orders to march were given without delay  and such
was the zeal and promptitude of both officers and men, that in half
an hour they were all ready to march, and commenced crossing the
Maumee, opposite the fort.  - ~':       The heads of the
column were then drawn up in close'order, and the Colonel, in a
short and impressive address, instructed them in their, duties. If
an enemy were discovered, the order of march was to be in two
lines, one parallel to the river, and the other in front, stretching
across from the head of the former to the river on the right. He
concluded with saying:' We must fight our way through any opposing force, let what will be the consequences, as no retreat could be
justifiable. It is no time to flinch — we must reach the fort, or die
in the attempt.' Every countenance, responsive to the sentiments
of the speaker, indicated the same desperate determination. The
ground on which the enemy had gained their barbarous triumph
over Dudley was again to be traversed,; and his allies woulddoubtless
hope to realize another 5th of May, in another contest with Kentucky militia. The march was again resumed, and the regiment
arrived at ten o'clock in the night, opposite Fort Meigs, without
molestation, and encamped in the open plain betwPen the river and
the hill on which the'British batteries had been erected,'1:
Apprehensions of an attack were now strong. Information, gained from a Frenchman and an American prisoner, who arrived at
Fort Meigs on the 20th of June, was to the effect that the British
were determined to renew the attack on the fort, and were to start
for that purpose about that period. At this time, General Harrison was at Franklinton, where he was made acquainted with the
determination of the British.
Before quitting Franklinton for other points in view, he held an
important council with some chiefs of the friendly Indians of the
Delaware, Shawanoe, Wyandott, and Seneca tribes; informing
them " that a crisis had arrived, which required all the tribes who
remained neutral, and who were willing to engage in the war, to
take a decided stand either for the Americans or against them-that
the President wanted no false friends-that the proposal of General
Proctor to exchange the Kentucky militia for the tribes in our friend*M'Afee.




256              HISTORY OF FORT WAYAs
ship indicated that he had received some hint of their willingness to
to take up,the tomahawk against the Americans-and that to give
the United States a proof of their disposition, they must either remove with their families into the interior, or the warriors must
accompany him in the ensuing campaign and fight for the United
States. To the latter condition, the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed; and said they had long been anxious for an invitation to fight for the Americans. Tale, the oldest Indian in the
western country, who represented all the tribes, professed, in their
name, the most indissoluable friendship for the United States. General Harrison then told them he would let them know when they
would be wanted in the service-" but," said he, " you must conform to our mode of warfare. You must not kill defenseless
prisoners, old men, women, or children." By their conduct, he
also added, he would be able to tell whether the British could restrain their Indians from such horrible cruelty. For if the Indians fighting with him would forbear such conduct, it would
prove that the British could also restrain theirs if they wished to
do so —humerously telling them he had been informed that General
Proctor had promised to deliver him into the hands of Tecumseh,
if he succeeded against Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior
might think proper. " Now," continued he, "if I can succeed in
taking Proctor, you shall have him for your Prisoner, provided you
will agree to treat him as a squtaw, and only put petticoats upon him;
for he must be a coward who would kill a defenseless prisoner."
The subject being now strongly pressed upon the government,
the Indians were soon reluctantly employed by the United States
against the Indians in the employ of the British; and the movement, says M'Afee, " was perfectly justifiable, as a measure of selfdefense; yet," continues he, " there is only one reason which reconciles me to it-we thus demonstrated that the north-American savage is not such a cruel and ferocious being that he cannot be restrained by civilized man within the bounds of civilized warfare.
In several instances," he further remarks, " strong corps of Indians
fought under the American standard, and were uniformly distinguished for their orderly and humane conduct."
On the first of July, General Harrison set out from Fort Meigs
for Lower Sandusky, accompanied by seventy mounted men, under
command of Captain M'Afee.
Soon after his departure, the Indians had begun again to invest
the vicinity of Fort Meigs; and late on the evening of the 20th of
July, the vessels of the British army were to be seen in the Maumee,
some distance below the fort.
Early on the following morning, a picket-guard, of some eleven
men, having been sent to a point about three hundred yards below
the fort, were surprised by the Indians, and seven of them
killed. At this time a large body of British and Indians were seen
encamped below old Fort Miami, on the north side of the river;




SHAM MOVMENTS OP THE BRTISH ON TB SADUSKy ROAD. 257
and the woods in the rear of the fort was soon after possessed by
the Indians, who began to commit some depredations, by occasionally firing into the fort, and capturing some horses and oxen.
General Harrison was at once apprised of the siege, while all
in the garrison were attentively engaged in preparing for the movements against the fort; and General Clay was most vigilant in all
his efforts.
On the 23d, with a body of some eight hundred Indians, Tecumseh was seen moving up the river, with a view, as was supposed, of
attacking Fort Winchester. On the 25th, the enemy removed his
camp to the south side of the river, which superinduced the belief
that an attempt would be made by the British to take the fort by
storm.
General Harrison was still kept advised of the movements of
the British; but his force was not sufficient to enable him to reach
the garrison as he had wished, though he continued to assure General Clay that all needed aid would reach him from Ohio and'other
points in good season. On the evening of the 26th, some hours
after the arrival at the fort of the express from General Harrison,
heavy firing was commenced on the Sandusky road, about the
distance of a mile from Fort Meigs. The discharge of rifles and
musketry, accompanied by the Indian yell, could be clearly distinguished; and by degrees the apparent contest approached towarrds the fort, though sometimes it appeared'to recede. It lasted
about an hour, and came in the end near the edge of the woods.
The general pronounced it a sham battle, intended to draw out the
garrison to relieve a supposed reinforcement. A few discharges of
cannon at the fort, and a heavy shower of rain, at length put an end
to the scheme, no doubt to the great mortification of its projectors.
The express from General Harrison had providentially arrived in
time to preserve the garrison from the possibility of being deluded
by this artifice of the enemy. On the next day the British moved
over to their old encampment, and on the 28th embarked in their
vessels and abandoned the siege. The force which Proctor and
Tecumseh brought against the fort in this instance was about
5000 strong. A greater number of Indians were collected by them
for this expedition than ever were assembled in one body on any
other occasion during the whole war.
Having raised the siege of Fort Meigs, the British sailed round
into Sandusky Bay, while a competent number of their Indian
allies moved across through the swamps of Portage river, to cooperate in a combined attack on Lower Sandusky, expecting, no
doubt, that General Harrison's attention vfould be chiefly directed
to forts Winchester and Meigs. The General, however, had calculated on their taking this course, and had been careful to keep
patrols down the Bay, opposite the mouth of Portage river, where
he supposed their forces would debark."
General Clay now took care to acquaint General Harrison with
*M'.&W~~~ fye.  ~(17)




'5SI             HISToY. OF  ORT WAYTE
the movement of the British,. and on the 29th of July, the messers_
ger from Fort Meigs having reached him, he inmmediately called a
coucil of war, consisting of CM'Arthur, Cass, Ball, Paul, Wo.od
Hukill, -lolmes, and Graham, which resulted in a determination
to evacuate and destroy Fort Stephenson, if necessary.
By the 31st of July, the enemy had approached so near this fort
as to be able to throw their shells about i; and a flag was soon
seen approaching, the garrison, which was promptly met by En-'sign Shipp, by command of. Major Croghan. The bearer of the
flag' had' been instructed by. Gen. Proctor, who accompanied,the
fleet, to demand a sur:en der of the fort, which was positively refused, Shipp replying that it Was the determination of the eomhisandant of the garrison to defend it to the last extremity, and to
disappear amid the conflagration that should destroy it.
The Indians, as on former occasions, were not to be restrained,
and te earer.tho e flag; thought it "a great pity that so fine a
young man should fall into the hands of the savages.`'
" An Indian,"7 says Captain INFAfee,' at this moment came. out
of an adjoining ravine, and. advancing to the ensign, took hold of
his sword and.attempted to wrest it fiom him. Dickson interfered, and havilng restrained. the Indian, affected great anxiety to get
him safe into the fort.
The enemy now,' continues. M'Afee " opened their fire from
their 6-pounders in the gunboats and the howitzer on shore, which
they continued through tlhe night with but little intermission, and
wvith verylittle effect. The. forces of the en1emny consisted of 500
regulars, and about 800 Indians, commanded by Dickson, the
whole being commanded by General Proctor in person. Tecumseh was stationed on the road to6 fot, Meigs with a body of 2000
Indians, expecting to intercept a reinforcement on that route."
The enemy had, directed their fire againist the. northwestern
angle of the fort, which induced the commandant to believe that
an attempt to strm his works would be made at that point., In
the night Captain Hiun'ter was directed to remove the six-pounder
to a blockhouse from which it would rake that angle. By great
industry and personal exertion5 Captain Hunter soon accomplished
this object in secrecy. The embrasure was masked, and the piece
loaded with a half charge of powder, an.d double charge, of slugs
and grape shot.
Early on the morning ot the 2d, the enemy open.ed their fir
from, their howitzer and three six-pounders, which they landed in
the night and planted in a point of woods about two hundred and
fifty yyards from the foat. AboUt 4 o'clock1 p. m., that day, they
concentrated the fire of all their gun on the northwest angle,
whicht convinced Major Croghan that they would. endeavor to
make a breach and storm the works at that point.
Late in'the evening, when.the smoke of the firing had completely enveloped.the fortt, the enemy proceeded to make the




ATTACK ON FORT STEPHIENO0N-VALOR OF MAJ, CROGHAN.  2O9A
sault, Two feints were made towards the southern angle, where
Captain,Hunter's lines were fiorrmeld; and at the same. time, a
column of 350 men Were discovered advancing through -the smoke
within twenty paces of'the nolthwestern angle..A- Aheavy galling
fire of musketry was! now opened upon lthem from the fort,: which
threw them into some confusion. Colonel Short, who; headed the
principal column, soon rallied his men, and led Ithem with: great
bravery to the brink,of a ditch near. Aft er a momentary pause,
he leaped into the ditch, calling to his men to fo1low him, anld in a
few minntes it was full. The masked por:t-hole was now opened,
and the shix-pountde, t the distance of thirty feet,, poured such
destruction among. the-Lm, that bt  wo ad entered the ditch
were fortunate, enough' to -escape. A precipitate and'confused
retreat was the immediate consequence, although:some of. the
officers *attempte&d to rally their men., The other, column, which
was led by Colonel Warburton.and,,iajor:Chambers, was also
routed in confusion by a destructive firb from the line commanded
by- Captain Hunter. The whole of them fied into the, adjoining
wood, beyond the reach of the small arms of:the fort. Duringthe
assault, which lasted, half an hour, the enemy kept up.ian incessant fire from their howitzer an fifive six-pounders. They left
Colonel Short, a lieutenant, and twenty-five privates dead in the
ditch; and the total nuimber of prisoners,taken, was twenty-:six,
most of them badly wounded. Major Muir. was; knocked down in
the cditch, and lay among the dead till the; darkness of tie inight
enabled him to escape in safety-. The loss of the garrison was
one killed and one slightly wounded. The, total loss of the enemy'was calculated a aabout onel hundred and fifty killed and wounded.
When night camne o:n, which was,soon: -ater the.:assault, the
Vwounded- inA the -ditch;were- found'to be in a desperate situation.
Oomplete relief could not be, brought to them'by either side with
any degree of safety. - Major Croghlan, however, relieved them, as
much as possible conveying -themrn water,.over: tthe picketing, in
buckets, anad a ditch was also opened un-der the picketings, by means
of which, those.who were able and willing, were encouraged to
crawl into the:fort.
About 3 o9ciock, on the. morning:of the 3d, the w;hole British
and Indian force commenced a disorderly retreat. So great was
their precipitation, says M'Afee's narration, that they left a sail
boat behind, containing some clothing and a considerable quantity
of military stores; and on:the nert day seventy stanid of arms
andrsome- braces of. pistols were,picked p: round.the fort. Their
hurry and confusion was caused by the apprehension of an attack
from  General Harrison, of whose: position and force they had
probably received an exagerated account.
At the.council held with {M'Acthur, Cass,, and others, about the
1st of August, it was determined that Miajor Croghan should
a.bandon Fsort Ste.pheenuso as "un.tenable againsst;:heavy artilery;'
^M'Af pf




260              HISTORY OP FORT WAoN.
and as this fort was considered as of but little value as a military
post, it was also concluded to destroy it at the moment of evacuation. To this end General Harrison immediately dispatched an
order to Major Croghan, but which, owing to the messenger and
his Indian guides having lost their way, failed to reach him in time,
and deeming it then unsafe, in view of the near approach of the
enemy, to attempt an evacuation and retreat, after a council with
his officers, the most of whom readily coincided with him, Major
Croghan at once started the messenger on his return to General
Harrison with the following note:
Sir, I have just received yours of yesterday, 10 o'clock P. M.,
ordering me to destroy this place and make good my retreat, which
was received too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain this place, and by heaevns we can."
His main reason for writing thus positively was, that he feared
that the messenger might be captured, and the note fall into the
hands of the British; and'when received by General Harrison,
without knowing fully the motive of Croghan in thus replying to
his order ot evacuation and retreat, presuming it to indicate a
disobeyal of orders, on the following morning, Colonel Wells, with
an escort, was sent to take his place, and Croghan at once ordered to repair to the post of General Harrison. Arriving at the
headquarters of General Harrison, Major Croghan readily gaVe a
satisfactory explanation of his course and the meaning of his note,
which received the ready approval of Harrison, and Croghan was
at once ordered to return to his post and resume its command,
with written orders similar to those he had received before."
In an official report of Croghan's course in this siege, General
Harrison said:'a It will not be among the least of General Proctor's mortifications, to find that he has been baffled by a youth,
who has just passed his twenty-first year. He is, however, a hero
worthy of his gallant uncle, George R. Clarke."
All under his command at this siege were highly praised by Major Croghan. "Never was there," said General Harrison,'  a set
of finer young fellows, viz: Lieutenants Johnson and Baylor of
the 17th, Anthony of the 24th, Meeks of the 7th, and ensigns Shipp
and Duncan of the 17th." Lieutenant Anderson, of the 24th, was
also commended for marked good conduct on this memorable
occasion; and soon after the siege of Fort Stephenson, Major
Croghan was breveted a Lieutenant-Colonel by President Madison, then President of the United States; while the ladies of Chilicothe, Ohio, presented him with a splendid sword, accompanied
by an appropriate address.
A little party of Wyandott Indians, after the retreat of the
British from Fort Stephenson, were sent down the bay, with other
Scouts, for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the enemy.
Succeeding in capturing a few British soldiers, who' had been left
in the general retreat. the Indians "brought them to the camp,




INDIAN SCOUTS AND BRITISH PRISOERS.      261
without doing them  any injury; and, conscious," says M'Afee,
" that they had done their duty, they were frequently seen telling
the story to their brother warriors, and laughing at the terror
which had been manifested by the soldiers, who, no doubt, expect
ted to be massacred or carried off and destroyed by torture."




CHAPTER      XXII.
"Come thou, old Erie, worthy of thy name,
Bearing the trophy of tIhy hero's iame —
Perry the young, Perry the bold and brave."
Ohio:ud Kentucky again aroused —lHeavy reinforcement-s —-Operations on the LakeCommodore Perry in command of the Lake fleet —-Activity of the British —Movement of troops -from Ohio and Kentucky —-Heavy engagement on the Lake, and
victory of Commodore Perry —-The British commander sends out a reconnoitering
party —-Evacuation and destruction of Malden —-Arrival of the American forces at
Malden —-Retreat of the British towards Sandwich —-Restless feeling of the Indians —-Tecumseh proposes an abandonment of efforts against the Americans —-He
sees ruin ahead —-His speech.
OTH    Ohio and Kentucky, friom which points, at that time, and
during some years previous, was:derived the main support
o1:'of the West in a military point:of view, m ere now       again
a aroused, and a large number: of volunteers came forward at
the call of Governors Meigs and Shelby.
The general attention of the country was now turned to operations on the Lake, of which the British then had the main control, with a considerable fleet afloat; and it became most important that the American government should begin to exercise the
largest industry in naval affairs.
Two brigs and several schooners had been laid at Erie early in
the month of March of this year, (1813) and Commodore Perry
had been sent to superintend their construction and equipment.
The enemy had also been most active in this relation, and had
built a twenty-gun brig at Malden.
About the 2d of August, having conpleted his equipments and
gotten his heaviest vessels over the bar at the mouth of the harbor, Perry "crossed the Lake to Long Point, and then proceeded up
the British shore some distance without discovering their fleet,
which had, in fact, returned to Malden for their new brig and additional reinforcements on discovering the force which Perry was
able to bring against them."
About the 9th of September, volunteers began to quit Urbana,




1PERRY S' VICTOnB OiN Ta LAka.         263
Ohio', where they had assembled from different parts of that State
and KRentucky, for Upper Sandusky-the Kentuckians headed by
the venerable'Governor Shelby.
In the meantime, (on the 10th) the vessels' n the Lake had
come to close'quarters; and- after an" engagement; of four h.ours,
during which time it was most difficult to determine which would
succeed, the British vessel at length surrendered, and very sOon
after, much as if the:heroic spirit of Wayne had momentarily
hovered about' the mind of Perry, the followingi laconic note was
addressed to: General'Harrison:' Dear General-We have met the enemy and they are ours —
two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and a sloop.
" Yours, with great respect and esteem,
" OLIVER HAZARD P1ERRY.l
Immediately upon the receipt of the, news of theloss of the:
British vessels, Proctor had sent spies to reconnoiter the forces of
General,Harrison; wh.o soon obtained a distant view  of, the;
Kentuckians while encamped on the plains of Sandusky, at once
reporting, their number to the British comimander at from ten to
fifteen thousand.
Upon the receipt of this information, Proctor at once determined
to burn Malden, and make good his retreat up the Detroit;and
Thames rivers, then to make his way to the lower parts-of the
province. Accordingly, on.the 26th, Maiden was evacuated and
destroyed.,,On the following day, (27th) agreeble to previous orders, the
American army set sail from the Middle Sister Island for M alden,
where the. whole arrived in good order about three o'clock- in the
afternoon of that day, only to.behold the ruins of the place.
Proctor had retreated to Sandwich,' under the impression that
there were at least ten thousand Kentuckians coming against him.'l
The Indians in the service-of the British had now become very
restless and uneasy. General Harrison had some time before these
events sent some:friendly- Wyandotts among the'ndians allied. to
the British with a view to neutrality xwith them. Tecumsehhhad
previously urged an abandonment of the efforts of' the India'ns
against the Americans, but without.success; and the efforts of the
friendly Wyandotts, sent by the General, had met with' no' better
success.;Sorme 15,000 rations had been daily is'suede -to- the Iindians-warriors, women. and,children —by the' British, for some
time, before the retreat of: General Proctor,:rwhich Waxas quntea
weight upon the British government —too heavy to be borne lo'ng.
The impressive mind of Tecumseh saw ruin ahead.' He did not
like: or approve of the course pursued by General Proctor in ti' 
destructiop and evacuation of Mailden. As early as the lShf of
September, he had delivered. a stirring speech to.the Briti h cornmander, in the name of all the chiefs and warriors in the employ




264               HtIsroBY OF FORT WAYrE.
of the British, which, by order of General Proctor, was written
down and preserved by him until the defeat of the British at the
battle of the Thames, when; among other papers left behind by
the British in their retreat from the scene of the conflict there, it
was found and brought away by the Americans. As the representative of their British father, the King of Great Britain, Tecumeh, in this speech, had appealed to General Proctor, who,
doubtless, in view of the momentary approach upon his quarters
at Malden of the American forces, was too much disturbed to hear
the words of Tecumseh fully explained by the interpreter, or to
read the speech himself, when written down. Said the Shawanoe
chieftain 
"FATHER, listen to your children! You have them now all before you.
The war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his
red children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead.
In the war, our father was thrown on his back by the Americans,
and our father took them by the hand without our knowledge; and
we are afraid that our father will do so again at this time.
"Summer before last, when I came forward with my red brethren, and was ready to take up the hatchet in favor of our British
father, we were told not to be in a hurry, that he had not yet determined to fight the Americans.
" Listen! When war was declared, our father stood up and gave
us the tomahawk and told us that he was then ready to strike the
Americans; that he wanted our assistance; and that he would
certainly get us our lands back, which the Americans had taken
from us.
"Listen! You told us, at that time, to bring forward our families
to this place; and we did so; and you promised to take care of
them, and they should want for nothing; while the men would go
and fight the enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about
the enemy's garrisons; that we knew nothing about them, and that
our father would attend to that part of the business. You also
told your red children that you would take good care of your garrison here, which made our hearts glad.
"Listen! When we were last at the Rapids it is true we gave
you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like
groundhogs.
"Rather, listen! Our fleet has gone out; we know they have
fought; we have heard the great guns; but we know nothing of
what has happened to our father with that arm. Our ships have
gone one way, and we are much astonished to see our father tying
up every thing and preparing to run away the other, without letting his red children know what his intentions are. You always
told us to remain here and take care of our lands; it made our
hearts glad to hear that was your wish. Our great father, the king,




SPEECH or TECUMSi To T HE BRITISH COMMAXDEInL   65
is the head, and you represent him. You always told us that yon
would never draw your foot off British ground; but now father,
we see you are drawing back, and we are sorry to see our father
doing so without seeing the enemy. We must compare our fathers, conduct to a fat dog, that carries its tail upon its back, but
when afrighted, it drops it between its legs and runs off.
" Father, listen! The Americans have not yet defeated us by
land; neither are we sure that they have done so by water; we
therefore wish to remain here and fight our enemy, should they make
their appearance. If they defeat us, we will then retreat with our
father.
At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Americans certainly
defeated us; and when we retreated to our father's fort at that
place the gates were shut against us. We were afraid that it would
now be the case; but instead of that, we now see our British
father preparing to march out of his garrison.
"  ather! You have got the arms and ammunition which our
great father sent for his red children. If you have an idea of going away, give them to us, and you may go and welcome for us.
Our lives are in the hands of the Great Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and if it be his: will, we wish to leave our
bones upon them."




CHAPTER XXIII.' The, victory's lost and won."-.''The battle's o'er! the din is past;
Night's mantle on the field is' cast."
Long live-those honored namesThe valiant conquerors of the, Thame.
Pursuit of the British from Malden —-Harrison's letter to the War Department —-Fright
and flight of the Canadianis —-Capture of Tecumseh's chief counselor —-His account
to'Colonel Johnson —-Discovery of the bones of the massacred men of' Frenchtown
-— Excited feelings of the Keintuckians —-MIoAvement of the army in the,pursuit of
the British —-Arrival at the mouth of the Thames —-'Capture of British dragoons —An omen of victory —-The bird of Liberty hovering over the ariny of Ha{rrison —-A
sow-shoat follows the army from Kentucky to Bass Island —-The army near the
Moravian Towns —-Capture of a British wagoner —-The British army near, in order
of battle, lying in wait —-Near approach of Colonel Johnson to the British lines —The great hour of defeat or victory at hand —-Formidable position of the British
and Indians —-Preparations for an attack —-Daring plan of Colonel Johnson —-A
sudden dash to be made upon the British lines —-Advance of the American army
Distant fire of the British —-Intrepid charge of the cavalry under Johnson —-Confusion and flight of the British. —-Contest with the Indians —-Pursuit of Proctor —-His
sword and carriage captured —-Loss sustained —-Death of Tecumseh -— Who killed
him? —-Estimates of the forces of the armies —-The charge of the mounted infantry
wonI the victory of the Thames —-Order for the return of tthe troops —-Manly and
cheering address of Governor Shelby.
iHE     Amnerican forces having encamped about the ruins of
I)Malden on the night of           th of  of  eptember, with a view:->  of pursuing the retreatingi larmy       of Proctor the following
J   morning, General Harrison, on the evening of the arrival of
the army, in a letter to the war department, said:'I will
pursue the enemy to-morrow, although there is no probability of
overtaking him, as he has upwards of 1000 horses, and we have
not one in the army.      I shall think myself fortunate to collect a
sufficiency to mount the general officers.      It is supposed here, that
general Proctor will establish himself upon the river Trench, or
Thames, 40 miles from Malden."
Proctor had pressed into his service all the horses of the inhabitants, which they had not effectually concealed.          One only, and
that a very indifferent one, could be procured.         On it tke venerable Governor of Kentucky was mounted, and proceeded with the




FPI.Gc'? oF THE CAAtANa^x.        2,7
army towards Sandwich, where they arrived on the 29th1, without
meeting any obstruction from the enemy;;except that'the bridge
over the Aux Canada river had been torn'up, buit w as soon repaired ~again. There had been; considerable' expectation':among
the commanding officers that a formidable- resistance Would, be
made at this bridge, but no'enemy was to be seen; and. on a:rriving at Sandwieh'it was ascertained tnhat General.Proctor had'retreated fron that place early'on the precedin g day.': The Indians,
however, were in considerable'force in the suburbs of Detr oit, the
inhabitants of which, who had a'leady been very much plundered,
were in great apprehension of an' immediate massacre; but a few
discharges of grape * shot from: the fleet, rwhich had come up the
river soon'compelled them to fly to'the woods foir safety. General
M'Arthur went over with *his brigade and i'tookIpossession of the
town'; and on thie same evening'General Harriso0n'issued h1is proclamation, for re-establishing. the civil government of' the!territory.
All persons wo ihad been in office at the time of the'capitulation,
were directed to resume t their function  and administer' the laws'
which had then been in force."
The Canadians, like the K'saskaskians at" the; time of Clark's
moverment upon Kaskaskia,: in 1778, hadl heard, terrible; accounts
of the barbarity and ferocity of thieKe'ntuckians, aad on -the
approach -of the American ibrces, had fled in the wildest consternation: and fear, expecting to be massacred and plundered by the
LonIg Knives, (the Kentuckian's) but in this, they were destined to
meet' with agreeable disappointment.
On the 20th of September, Lieutenant Griffith having retl rned
with a scouting party friom the river Raisinl, bought with him  an
Indian by the name of Misselewetawj a chief counsellor'to Tecumseh, and uncle to the famous Logan.p IHe had led the Pigeon Roost
massacre, as detailed in a former chapter. When captured, he was
asleep in a house at the'river Raisin;. - He told Col. Johnson, says
M'Afee, that the Indians had been watching the movements of
his army; had examined hisi eneam pmenits, and' seen-himn arrive at
fort Meigs; and tthat tey estimatled is forces to be at least 2400.
He further stated that the Indians about Browhstow.n, a umounting
to 1750 warriors, had determined' to give him battle at the river H'uron  and that they were still ignorant of the fate of the British fleet.
He was an Indian of excellent iinformation, aind had been the-constant companion and friend of Tecumseh. Being under:an impression that he would now certainly have to die, he gave Col. -Johlson
a long' and appcarently very'candid'account of past transactions,
since the treaty of Greenlville to that time -- Hesaid the - British
had supplied the Prophet's party with arms and aimunition before
the battle of Tippecano6e that;,Trecumseh's plan for a comm on
property in their lads had' been strong'y Tecommended and praised
by Col. Elliott; and that the: Britisli had used every means's in tiheir
power, since the year'1809, to secure the friendship:: anid -aof the
*M'Afeo.




268                HISTORY oF FORT WAYNIS
Indians, in the event of a war with the United States-having
often invited them to Malden and made them presents for that purpose; and having also represented to them that they should receive British aid to drive the Americans over the Ohio river, after
which they should live in the houses of the inhabitants and have
their daughters for wives. He said he was now convinced that
the British had again deceived.them, and that the Great Spirit had
forsaken him in his old age for his cruelty and wickedness.
Since the massacre of the river Raisin, the bones of the Kentuckians had remained exposed until sometime in June, 1813, when
Colonel R. M. Johnson had collected and buried a large number of them, which, after his departure, had again been dug up
and scattered over the fields. On the evening of the 25th of September, orders having been received at Fort Meigs for the regiment under Colonel Johnson to march again for the river Raisin,
on the following morning, after due preparation, the regiment moved forward, and on the second day after starting, reached the scene
of massacre, where the bones of the slain were to be seen scattered about in every direction. Frenchtown was now generally deserted, and " the fine orchards of peach and apple trees were loaded with excellent fruit."' The sight of the bones," says Captain
M'Afee, "had a powerful effect on the feelings of the men. The
wounds inflicted by that barbarous transaction, were again torn
open. The bleaching bones still appealed to heaven and called on
Kentucky to avenge this outrage on humanity. We had heard
the scene described before,"' says he,-" we now witnessed it in
these impressive memorials. The feelings they excited cannot be
described by me-but they will never be forgotten-nor while
there is a recording angel in heaven, or a historian upon earth,
will the tragedy of the river Raisin be suffered to sink into oblivion. Future generations will often ponder on this fatal field of
blood; and the future inhabitants of Frenchtown will long point
out to the curious traveler the garden where the intrepid Madison
for several hours maintained the unequal contest of four to one,
and repulsed the bloody Proctor in every charge. Yonder is the
wood, where the gallant ALLEN fell! Here the accomplished Hart
and Woolfolk were butchered! There the brave Hickman was
tomahawked and thrown into the flames! That is the spot where
the lofty Simpson breathed his last! And a little farther doctors
Montgomery, Davis and M'Ilvain, amiable in their manners and
profound in science, fell in youth and left the sick to mourn their
loss! The gallant Meade fell on the bank in battle, but his magnanimous lieutenant, Graves, was reserved for massacre!"
At this point an express arrived from the main army, which the
messenger had left on the Island of the Middle Sister on the morning of the 26th. He had been sent, while General Harrison was
reconnoitering off Maiden, by the attentive and watchful Governor of Kentucky, to apprize Colonel Johnson of the progress and




PURSUIT OF THE BRITISH A.tMY.            269
prospects of the army, that he might regulate his march accordingly. Next morning, before the regiment marched, their faithful
guide, Anthony Shane, the Shawanoe half-breed, observed that he
knew the spot where Captain Simpson had been killed. The
Colonels, with Captain M'Afee and Dr. Ewing, went with Shane
to the place, and found the bones, which they buried. The frame
of Captain Simpson was easily known from the others, by its length,
the Captain having been upwards of six feet and a half high.*
On the 30th of September, the whole regiment under Colonel
Johnson, had safely reached Detroit, where they soon crossed the
river to Sandwich.
It was now concluded, in a council between General Harrison
and Governor Shelby, that Proctor might be overtaken in three or
four days' rapid marching; and the Governor was accordingly requested to collect his general officers at headquarters, with a view
to arrangements for the plan of pursuit. Two courses were suggested-one, to follow up the Strait by land-the other, to embark
and sail down Lake Erie to Long Point, then to move rapidly
across by land, some twelve miles, to the road, and intercept the
course of the enemy's retreat. Governor Shelby was of the opinion that the route by land, up the Strait, would be the best; which
was unanimously agreed upon; and on the morning of the 2d of
October, at sunrise, the army was in motion, the vessel troops moving some hours in advance of the brigade of General Cass, which
was detained on account of their blankets and knapsacks having
been left at the Island of the Middle Sister. The mounted reginents were also detained a short time in drawing provisions. But
alter a march of some twelve miles, the mounted troops overtook the advance corps.
It having been ascertained that the Indian chiefs, Five Medals
and Mai-pock, with other chiefs, in connection with the Miamies,
Pottawattamies, and other tribes, had remained on the west side of
the Detroit river, General M'Arthur's brigade was left at Detroit
to hold them in check.
Upon the arrival of the army at the mouth of the Thames, a
small body of British dragoons was discovered by the spies, under
Major Sugget, just below that point, who were pursued and
captured, just after an effort, on their part, to destroy a bridge over
a small stream near the place of capture. "This little affair, the
first fiuits of the pursuit," says Captain M'Afee, " had a very great
effect in animating the pursuers."
As the army drew up at the mouth of the Thames, all eyes were
turned upward. An omen of victory was hovering over the scene
in the form of the glorious bird of Liberty-the American eagle!
( A presage of success!" remarked General Harrison; "as it i~
our tutelary bird." A similar event had occurred to the fleet of
Commodore Perry, befbhe his victory, on the morning of the 10th
of September.
i.w'A feo.




270             HrSTOR1t or FoaT.'WAYNTE.
And it may be remarked just here that another somewhat singular manifestation was presented-for the thoughtful- consideration
and amusement of the army just prior to the appearance of the
eagle at the mouth of the Thames. A sow-shoat had followed a
company of mounted volunteers from the interior,, of Kentucky
to the point rhere the army drew up for further orders at Lake Erie.
Keeping:" constantly withh the army, she became generally known
to the soldiers, who called her the governor's pig, and were carefil to protect her, as they deemed: her conduct an auspicious omen.
At the margin of the lake," runs the account,' she embarked with
the troops and went as far as Bass island."  Being,:offTered a passage: into Canada fronm.this point, she. "i obstinately refused to embark the second time;" and. though her conduct.; was, jocosely
attributed "' to constitutional scruples "-some of the men of the
army humerously suggesting that "it. was contrary to the constitution-to force a militia pig over the line," yet. she.could not by
any means be pursuaded to cross over to Canada, and was accodingly permitted to "return to the regiment at Portage.";
Early on the morning of the 5th of October, the army was. again
in. motion, and continued its march, without special interruption,
until within a. short distance of the Moravian Towns, some ninety
miles northeast of.Detroit, where, capturing a British wagoner,
the army received the intelligence that 6 the enemy were lying in
order of battle, about three hundred yar ds before them,"' awaiting
the approach of the American forces. Colonel Johnson, with
Afajor Sugget and his.spies, now advanced within view; of the
British lines, for t.he purpose of obtaining as much information as
possible as to the position, &c., of the enemy, which was readily
comrmunicated to General Harrison.
The great.hour that was to decide the triumph, of American
arms in the full establishment and maintenance of political rule
over the vast territory of the; Great West was now at hand; and
the forces under Geer G ral.Hrrison were halted: and formed for the
conflict!
The British commander had selected a formidable position for
the prosecution of'his plan of attack.. The ground upon which
the British forces,had halted extended along near the margin of
the river Thames, the ground being covered principally, wvith
beech, sugar-tree, and oak: timber, with bu-t little underbrush.
Running nearly parallel with the river, for about two miles, was
a somewhat extensive marsh, whichi, grew narrower as one advanced up the stream. Where the British forces were stationed, there
was a narrow swamp,: some three hundred yards from the Thames,
lying between which and the miain swamp extending up the river,
there appeared a spot of solid ground. In two lines, their left
resting on the river, and their; right extending to the.first swamp,
the: British regulars were ranged, with,their artillery plal ted in
the road, Pear the bank o'f the river. The Iadniana, all ra.nged along




BATTLr OF e oF.lTHAMEi             271'the first swarmp,.their left at a point where Tecumseh commanded,
occupying.tl "i-the isthmus between the samps,. on which the undergrowth w.as tolerably thick; and their: right extending a considerable distance down the main marsh, the margin of which, at
this place, receding very fast from the river, formed a very obtuse
anbglewith the lines ": of the. American forces.
At the out-set, in the order of arrangement for battle, the.mountted regiment under. Colonel Johnson-; occupied the space between
the river. and the first swamp. On approaching.this regiment
andd learning of. the discovery of the enemy, as well as. satisfying
himself, as Cto the sithuation of the British fqrces, by personal observation,, General Harrison at once directed Colonel Johnson, on the
approach of. the infantry,, tp assume:a position at the left, from
thence, if possible; to turn the rig'ht of the Indians.
The British regulars were, drawn up in open order. A daring
plan was now readily conceived by Colonel Johnson, and as quickly agreed upon. It was for the mounted infantry to make a sud-.den dash upon the British. lines, confusing and breaking them at
once; and the two mounted regiments were.accordingly ordered
to be.formed, "in two charging columns, in short lines, and, on receiving the enemy's fire, to charge througlh, his ranks, form in his
rar, an and act as circuimstances might require."?: ~ 
The rear ]and flanks being well secured against attacks, the foot
troops,, embracing five brigades; averaging some three hundred
men each, were well arranged along the rear, the river, the swamp,
the road, near the river, &c., and Governor Shelby was ordered to
take his position —a very important one -at the angle between the
swamps, while. GeneralHarrison:tookhis position at the head of
the front line, in order the.etter to observe. the charge, and render ready and efcient  pprt up to the horsemen
All was now readiness for the charge and; the whole army
advanced in.the order'? already, presented, ".until the front of the
first battalion received a distant fire from- the. British lines," which; some;what frigihtened the horses, and caused. a little, confusion at
the heads of the columns; thus. retarding the cha-lge, and giving
the enemy time to prepare for a secoxd fire, which soon followed
the. first.!".But in a moment, the American columns "were conpletely in motion, and rushed uqpon the.British with irresistable
impetuosity,'7 causing their front line to precipitately break away
in every direction, and their second, alsoi.some thirty paces in the
rear of the front line, after,a single fire, 7 was broken and thrown
into confusion.?- The grand idea of the onset of the mounted
troops under Cololnel Johnson had now consummated its purpose; ands sure victory at e pvery point was already. perching upon
the American, ebanner.:.The bird of.Liberty had indeed proved
"a presage of success,'   and he had not yet ceased to spread
his glorious pinions over the region of the, scene of conflict! Such
was the'pa triotic fervor and heroism nof that eventful hour of our




27T              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
country's history-such the fierce contest between the receding monarchial element of the time, seeking dominion and control
over the northwest, with a view to the overthrow of Republicanism,
and the supplanting upon the ruins thereof the power and rule of
of the British crown, onone hand, and the valiant pioneer soldiery
and patriots of the West, striving to widen the avenues of free
institutions, free government-to open the broad domain of the
Great West for the cultivation of a boundles unity of goodness,
order, truth, industry, and all the conditions and elements then
and thereafter germanly pertaining to the welfare, general wellbeing, progressive education, and safety of a free people-the
protection and perpetuation of a generous and progressive government, on the other. And the powerful will of the latter, intensifled and impelled by a broad and glorious spirit and sense of freedom and hope of future governmental unity, charged upon the
enemy with an undaunted and even reckless determination to
achieve the end sought to be attained, viz: an unconditional victory
over a common foe to republican institutions and a free, untrammeled government!
At this stage of the conflict, the American columns, having now
passed through the broken lines of the enemy, " wheeled to the
right and left, and began to pour a destructive fire on the rear of
their disordered ranks;" but the contest was only momentary-for,
says the narration of the very truthful and intelligent Captain
M'Afee, a participant in this eventful struggle, " No sooner had our
horsemen charged through their lines and gained their rear, than
they began to surrender as fast as they could throw down their
arms. And thus, in a moment, the whole British force, upwards
of eight hundred strong, was totally vanquished, and the greater
part of it captured by the first battalion of the mounted regiment
under lieutenant-colonel James Johnson, before the front line of
our infantry had got fairly in view of them. General Proctor,
however, made his escape, escorted by a small party of dragoons
and mounted Indians, who were immediately pursued as far as the
Moravian town, by a party of the mounted regiment, consisting
chiefly of officers.
"' The contest with the Indians on the left," continues the narration of M'Afee, " was more obstinate. They reserved their fire till
the heads of the columns and the front line on foot had approached within a few paces of their position. A very destructive fire
wag then commenced by them, about the time the firing ceased
between the British and the first battalion. Colonel Johnson,
finding his advanced guard, composing the head of his column,
nearly all cut down by the first fire, and himself severely wounded, immediately ordered his column to dismount and come up in
line before the enemy, the ground which they occupied being unfavorable for operations on horseback. The line was promptly
formed on foot, and a fierce conflict was then maintained for seven




BATTLE OF THE THAMES-FLIGHT OF PROCTOR.     273
or eight'minutes, with considerable execution on both sides; but
the Indians had not sufficient firmness to sustain very long a fire
which was close and warm, and severely destructive. They gave
way and fled through the brush into the outer swamp, not, however, before they had learnt the total disconfiture of their allies,
and had lost, by the fall of Tecumseh, a chief in whom were united the prowess of Achilles and authority of Agamemnon.
"As soon as the firing commenced between the Indians and the
second battalion, Governor Shelby, who was posted at the crotchet
in its rear, immediately ordered that part of the fiont line of infantry which lay between the first swamp and the crotchet, being
a part of Colonel Donelson's regiment, to march up briskly to the
aid of the mounted men. They rushed up accordingly into Colonel Johnson's lines, and participated in the contest at that point.
This was the only portion of the, infantry which had an opportunity
of engaging in any part of the battle. The Governor also dispatched General Adair, his aid-de-camp, to bring up the brigade
of General King to the front line; but before this could be accomplished the enemy had fled from Colonel Johnson, and a scattering,
running fire had commenced along the swamp, in front of General
Desha's division, between the retiring Indians and the mounted
men in pursuit, who were now commanded by Major Thompson
alone, Colonel Johnson having retired in consequence of his
wounds. This firing in the swamp continued, with occasional
remissions, for nearly half an hour, during which time the contest
was gallantly maintained by lMajor Thompson and his men, who
were still pressing forward on the Indians. Governor Shelby in
the meantime had rode' down to the left of General Desha's division, and ordered the regiment of Colonel Simrall, which was posted on the extreme left, to march up on the right flank of the enemy
in aid of Major Thompson; but before this reinforcement could
reach the scene of action, the Indians had given up the contest.
Soon after the British force had surrendered, and it was discovered that the Indians were yielding on the left, General Harrison
ordered Major Payne to pursue General Proctor with a part of his
battalion; which was promptly done, and the pursuit continued,
by the greater part of the detachment, to the distance of six miles
beyond the Moravian town, some Indians being killed, and a considerable number of prisoners, with a large quantity of plunder,
captured in'their progress.  Majors Payne, Wood, Todd, and
and Chambers; Captain Langham, and Lieutenants Scorgin
Bell, with three privates, continued the pursuit several miles further, till night came upon them-but Proctor was not to be taken.
The pursuers, however, at last pressed him so closely, that he was
obliged to abandon the road, and his carriage and sword were captured by the gallant Major Wood. The prisoners, about 50 in
number, were brought back to the Moravian town, where they
(18)




274                HISTORY OF FORT WAVYM,
were left in charge of Captain M'Afee, with 100 mounted meii
Itm1 it M:ajor Gano arrived, about midnight, with a reinforcement; of
1.50 infantry. At the head. of the town, six pieces of brass artillery
v er'e taken, three of which had been captured in the revolution,
at Sa ratoga and York, and surrendered again by Hull in Detroit.': The exact loss which either side sustained in this battle," continues Captain M'Afee, " has never been correctly known. According to the best information, however, which has been received, the
total loss of the mounted regiment on that day, was 17 killed and
30 wounded. The loss of the infantry was much less, though considerable also, at the point where they reinforced Colonel Johnson,
which was the principal theatre of our losses. The Indians left
I ihity -three dead on the battle lground, and had ten or twelve killed
in different places by their pursuers. The British had 1S killed
and 26   QoulLded, besides 600 prisoners captured, including 25
officers. Among our killed was Colonel Whitley, a veteran who
lad beeni a'distirngished soldier in former Indian wars, and had
been no less conspicuous and serviceable in the present campaign,
in whcih the accompanied Colonel Johnson. Captain Craig and
Lieutenalnt Logan died of their wounds a few days after the battle.
Col. Johnson and Captains Davidson and Short were also wounded severely, but recovered. The Colonel was shot through his
thigh and in his hip, by the firsfirire of the Indians; and shortly
afterwards he was shot through his left hand, by a ball which ranged up his arm, but did not enter his body. He continued, however, in front' of his men, gallantly fighting the enemy as lonig as the
action lasted at that place. The white mare on which he rode
was also shot so severely that she fell and expired soon after she
had carried her rider within the lines of the infantry.
"Tecumseh was found among the dead at the point where Col.
Johnson had charged upon the enemy in person; and it is generally believed that this celebrated chief fell by the hand of the
Colonel.-' It is certain that the latter killed the Indian with his
pistol who shot him through his hand, at the very spot where Tecumseh lay; but another dead body lay at the same place, and
Mr. King, a soldier in Captain Davidson's company, had the' honor
of killing one of them.' From the best information lthat has been received, it appears
that there was no material difference in the strength of the two
armiies in this battle. The troops under B-arrison had been greatly reduced in lnumber by detachments left as guards and for other
purposes, and by those who were sick and otherwise unable to
i: The qe-;'o;,s  WO who hl'cd'Teet;o'eh' ha'l; lneel been  dc'c' ed.  Drakle, In h;a'-;'rie,,: Lfe o  hi -: nol.e  eh e::", devotes so.ne tv/c'ie,., p:'c.; to  hie o ol itioal o  this lolng
i8answt erl'e.   0',te:;'ionl,  ), 1  o:'lIy  o0.''i\  at kh L  i!'e  ote  concl,:; io0."  tlhaL so iebooy  kil'ed
ihe  Shiwnaloe C l;ef!? ft the bS.iu;le of tie Thame,3.
WVi  ]e  i.lO nL  t  ol:Iia.F,.pce'h.;,''o  co,.  ope'.. n o r 0e;'':;;3  bseott i   le O ltle  s:tr: g le
o"''VL.?2-1d3, i' f  0oiec.It tLie cl  om(dl a.lhed'  hilo.'11edT('l'e Tinyi?"  Tio wiv ch Co.  o J't 1i
son.plied:  " I cali!lOt tell; 1  is proba.blet:  a  I'',..:. eotl'ly  p"o,.:le  i.'l.  I
S dl'-,."  One of oar Wr es; e.  poe.ieS, t. le  La,.e.(.ilalClc  A. Jo'Jef,.io  t Uioq., of Cinc: inaii, O-lio




TRnIBUE TO TECUMSEII.                        275
keep up on forced marche     s.   The distance from Sandwich        to the
Moravian town is upwards of eighty miles, which our army marched in three days and a half, though frequently harrassed by skirmishing and forming in order of battle, and delayed by repairing
bridges and procuring supplies.       A body of undisciplined militia,
urged along and regulated alone by their patriotism          and military
ardor, would necessarily be much reduced by such a journey. The
whole of the regulars had been left behind, except the small fragment of a regiment under Colonel Paul. The brigade of General
M'Arthur had been left at Detroit to protect the inhabitants against
the Indians; and that of General Cass had been left at Sandwich,
waiting for the baggage of the men, which delayed them so long
that they were enable to come up with the army before the battle
had been fought.      The whole way       from  Sandwich to the battle
ground was filled with scattering parties of the militia.          Hence,
our force at the place of action was believed to be less than 2500
men, which was very little more than lthe force actually engaged
on the part of the enemy.        The British part of that force appears
to  have been about 845 strong.        Its loss in killed, wounded, and
captured, was 645; and the adjutant-general of the British forces
soilme years a.go, hi the columns of the ": H;:SPERIIN," p-id the fo.lowing bea ui; u  -',..,e
to the great warrior:
"TECUMSEH, THE LAST KING- OF'HE OHII'.
< Wheere rolls.the dark and turbid Thames, " Art thou a soldier?-doJt t1 hou not
His co-nsecrated wave along,          O'er deeds chisvall;e love to mule?
Sleeps one, than whose, few are the names Here stay thy step'-what holier spot
More wo.thy of the lyre and song;    Couldst thou for (ontemplaltilon choose
Yet o'er whose spot of lone repose    The earth beneath is holy ground,
NIo pilgrim eye:; are seen to weep;   It holds a thousand valiant b r:ve:.;
And no memorial marble throws         Tread lightly o'er each little mound,
Its shadow where his ashes sleep.     For they are no ignoble graves.
" Stop, Stranger, there Tecumseh lies;  Thermopylse and Marathon,
Behold the lowly resting place        Though elassic earth, can boast no more
Of al1 t.hat of the hero dies;        Of deeds heroic than yon slu
The Csesar-Tully-of his race,         Once saw upon this lonely shore,
WhVose a-:m of strength and firey tongue,  When in a gallant nation's l:-'t
Have won him an immortal name,        And deadliest strugglc, io..; own,
And from the mouths of millions wrung  Tecumseh's fiery spirit passed
Ieluctant tribute to his fame.        In blood, and soughthis fa-her's throne.'* Stop-for'tis glory claims thy tear,' Oh, softly fall the summer dew,
T: ue worth belongs to all mankind,   The tears of -Ieaven upon his sod,
And he whose ashes slumber here,      For he in life and death was true,
Th-ough man in form, was Gdd in mind;  Both to his country and his god;
What matter he was not like thee,     For oh, if God to man has given,
In race or color?-'tis the soul       From his bright home beyond the skies
That marks man's true divinity-         One feeling that's akin to Hoaven,
Then let not shame they tears control.'Tis his who for his country dies.' Art thou a patriot?-so was he-     Rest, warrior, rest-though not a d.ro
His breast was Freedom's holiest shrine;  Is thine beside the wailing,blat;
And as thou bendest there thy knee,   Time cannot in oblivion merge
His spirit will unite with thine;     The lIght thy star of glory ca -'. 
A1 that a man can give, he gave-      Wh'le heave yon high hills to lhe'-7,
His life-the country of his sires    "W[i e olls yon (arl: and it1.: d I  i.e,
F;.o:n t:ie oppres:sor',-: gr':-::p to si.ve-  Thy name and f:c.le can never ( --
In va.nn-quenchd arce lhiis natons f-es.  Whom F,..edom loves will l've fo:eve-:.




276              EHISTORY OP FoRT WAYNEZ
soon afterwards officially acknowledged that 204 of those who
escaped had assembled at Ancaster on the 17th of October. This
calculation is also confirmed by the official return of the troops at
Malden on the 10th of September, which made them 944 in number —affordifig an excess of 100 above our estimate to meet the
losses experienced on tee retreat before the battle. As for the
amount of their Indian force) when it is shown by their own offi
cial papers, captured with the army, that 15,000 rations were issued daily to the Indians before the retreat, and that the greater
part of them' accompanied Proctor up the Thamtes, it is certainly a
reasonable calculation to estimate them at 15, 18, or even 20 hundred warriors in the battle. The whole force of the allies must
hence have been at least considerably above  00b0-yet a large
portion of that force was captured, and the balance entirely driven off by the single regiment under Johnson, aided at one point
only by a portion of the infantry, and making altogether, it is believed, much less than half the army. But had our force been
greatly superior, the nature of the ground, and position of the
enenay, would have rendered its superiority useless; for a larger
force than his could not have been brought efficiently into action,
had his resistanice been so great as to render it necessary. The
mounted regiment had but 950 men in the battle-hence the force
of the battalion, which was led into action by Lieutenant-Colonel
Janmes Johnson, could not have been much more than half as great
as the British force which it shattered in a moment by its impetuous charge.
"Our important and glorious victory, it is evident, was principally achieved by the novel expedient of charging through the
British lines with mounted infantry.  The measure,' says General
Harrison, who conceived it at the moment for its execution, was
not sanctioned by anything I had seen or heard, but I was fully
convinced that it would succeed. The American backwoodsmen
ride better in the woods than any other people. A musket or rifle
is no impediment to them, being accustomed to carry it on horseback from their earliest youth. I was pursuaded, too, that the
enemy would be quite unprepared for the shock, and that they
could not resist it.' The shock was indeed so unexpected and impetuous that all the resistance they were able to make amounted
to nothing. Two or three killed, and a few more wounded, was
all the execution done by upwards of eight hundred veterans, many
of whom surrendered without giving a second fire. 6 It is really
a novel thing,' says Colonel Wood, 6 that raw militia, stuck upon
horses, with muskets in their hands, instead of sabres, should be
able to pierce British lines with such complete effect, as did Johnson's men in the affair upon the Thames; and perhaps the only
circumstance which could justify that deviation from  the long
established rules of the art military, is the complete success of the
result. Great generals are authorized to step aside occasionally



INDIANS TO DELIVER THEIR PRISONERS AT FORT WAYNE.  277
especially when they know that their errors will not be noticed by
the adversary.?'
On the 6th the American troops continued to occupy the battle
ground, and the Moravian town, about two miles above it, being
employed in burying the dead and collecting the public property of
the enemy, of which a considerable quantity was found in different
places. In addition to the artillery already mentioned, and a great
variety of military stores, there were at least 5000 stand of small
arms captured by the American troops and destroyed by the enemy on this expedition. A large proportion of them had been taken
at the surrender of Detroit, the massacre of the river Raisin, and
the defeat of Colonel Dudley. Early on the 7th, Gen. Harrison
left the army under the immediate command of Governor Shelby
and returned to Detroit; and in the course of the same day the
different corps commenced their return home, having embarked the
greater part of the property they had captured in boats on the
Thames, and set fire to the Moravian town, which was a very inconsiderable village, occupied chiefly by Delaware Indians, who
professed to be of the Moravian sect of religion. On the 10th all
the troops arrived with their prisoners at Sandwich. It now began
to snow, and the weather was extremely cold and stormy. For two
or three days the wind blew down the strait with such violence,
that it was impracticable to cross it, and the vessels bringing down
the public property, were greatly endangered, and much of it was
lost.
In the meantime, an armistice was concluded by Gen, Harrison
with the Indians. Before he marched in pursuit of the British, a
deputation of Ottawas and Chippewas had sued for peace, which
he had promised them on condition that they would bring in their,families, and raise the tomahawk against the British. To these
terms they had readily acceded; and before his return the Miamies
and Pottawattamies had solicited a cessation of hostilities front
General MABArtur on the same conditions. Even the ferocious and
inveterate Mai-pock, of the Pottawattamies, now tendered his submission, and an armistice was concluded with seven of the hostile
tribes, which was to continue till tlhe pleasure of the President was
known. They agreed to deliver up all their prisoners at Fort Wayne,
and to leave hostages in security for their good behavior. Separated from their allies, by the American victories on the Lake and
the Thames, from whom they had received subsistence and council,
they were now glad to accept the American friendship on any
terms, which would save them from extermination by famine and
the sword.* 
On the 12th the storm had so far abated, that the mounted regiment crossed over the strait to Spring Wells; and on the next day
the Kentucky infantry crossed at the mouth of the river Rouge.
On the 20th of October, a general order having been issued for
— M'Afee.




278              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
the return of the troops to Kentucky, Governor Shelby said: " Although, in the course of this campaign, you necessarily encountered
many difficulties and privations, yet they were met with that
cheerfulness, and sustained with that imianly fortitude which the occasion required. The uninterrupted good fortune which has attended us, is a source of the most pleasing reflection, and cannot fail to
excite the warmest feelings of gratitude towards the Divine Being,
who has been pleased in a peculiar manner to favor us, and to
crown with success the exertions we have made for our country.
"In the course of the very active operations which we have
performed, it is possible that expressions may have dropped, tending to irritate and wound the feelings of some who were engaged
in them. The Commanding General hopes, that with the campaign
will end every unpleasant sensation, which may have arisen from
that source, and that we shall return home united as a band of
brothers, with the sweet solace of having served our country from
the purest motives, and with the best of our abilities."
In pursuance of this order, the troops returned to Kentucky, and
were discharged by Major Trigg, at Limestone, on the 4th of November. The mounted regiment was detained a few days at
Detroit, till the Indians had dispersed, after the armistice, and then
returned home without any remarkable occurrence.




CHAPTER XXIV.
" See! again, the smoke is curling
From the friendly calumet,
And the club of war is buried,
And the star of slaughter set."
-0 —
Furtlher movements of the American Army-Holmes' expedition against ti;e 3ritish
near the old battle-ground-He posts his men on a height, and gives the enemy
battle-The Americans again victorious-Movement against Mackinaw-Expedition of General M'Arthur-Resignation of General Harrison-The treaty of
Greenville-Chief Pe-con-Durability of the old fort-Succession of commanders
here-Destruction of the old fort and building of a new one-Peaceful attitude of
the Indians after the war-Spirit of order and desire for peace among the Indians
-Their close observation and intuition-New-comers-An incident-James Peltier, the interpreter, and the Indian.
-0~    LTHOUGH the defeat of the British, at the battle of the
Thames had virtually terminated the struggles: in the northwest, yet there was a determinatiou to push the war still
further.   In February following, (1814,) an expedition was
formed under Captain Holmes, to invade Canada, the enemy
having, in the month of January, again taken a position at the point
of Proctor's defeat, against which Holmes aimed to direct his expedition; but learning tha ththe British were advancing with a superior
force, he took his position upon an elevated point a few miles from
the old battle ground, and at once proceeded to fortify himself.
Here he was now      soon attacked   with much vigor, but after
considerable loss, the British were again forced to retreat.
The next was a movement against Mackinaw, which had first
been proposed soon after the battle of the Thames, but the unfavorable condition of the weather prevented the safe navigation of
the lakes, and the purpose was abandoned.    In the following April,
however, the plan was again proposed, and put into execution for
the double purpose of destroying some vessels the British were
supposed to be building at Gloucester Bay, and to capture Mackinaw; which, through some misunderstanding, resulted in a fruitless
effort, and was at length abandoned.   It was again revived, late
in the month of July following, from further information received




280               HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
relative to the building of vessels at Gloucester Bay. Failing at
length to reach the point in question, the vessels sailed to St.
Joseph's, where a trading house was destroyed, and the goods
thereof seized. A portion of this fleet at once sailed for Mackinaw,
and on the 4th of August made a landing upon the west side of the
Island, where a rather spirited action occurred, in which Captain
Holmes and 11 others were killed, which induced an abandonment
of any further attempt to capture Mackinaw. The British were now
somewhat successful in several efforts against the Americans.
M'Arthur, on the 26th of October, with seven hundred and twenty
mounted men, left Detroit. Soon reaching Oxford, he proceeded
to Burford, whence, instead of joining General Brown, at Fort Erie,
as had been previously proposed, he moved towards the lake, by
the Long Point road, and there defeated a body of militia, who
had thought to stop his further march; destroyed also some five
or six mills, and then made his retreat along the lake shore towards
Sandwich, pursued by a body of regulars, nearly double his own
number, arriving at Sandwich, on the 17th of November, with a
loss of but one man; and this closed the struggles in the Northwest.
General Harrison, feeling, for certain manifest reasons, that the
Secretary of War entertained a dislike for him, resigned his position
as commander-in-chief of the western forces, on the 11th of May,
1814. Prior to his resignation, however, he had arranged for a
treaty at Greenville, where, on the 22d of July, with General Cass,
on behalf. of the United States, they had met the friendly Wyandotts, Delawares, Shawanoes, Senecas, and concluded a peace with
the Miamies, Weas, and Eel River Indians, and certain of the
Pottawattamies, Ottawas and Kickapoos; all of whom had engaged
to join the Americans, should the war continue. On the 24th of
December, the treaty of Ghent having been signed, by the representatives of the two governments, the difficulties ended, and
the proffered aid of the Indians was no longer required.
The treaty of July, 1814, at Greenville, was one of the largest
treaties that had ever been held with the tribes. Pe-con,* the
successor of Little Turtle, as the representative of the Miamies,
with one hundred and thirteen others, were signers to this treaty.
The old Fort, as originally built by order of General Wayne, in
1794, had withstood the ravages of time and the efforts of the
Indians to destroy it, remarkably well. From the period of General Hamtramck's occupation of it, after the departure of General
Wayne, to its final evacuation, in 1819, it had been in charge of
many commandants. After the resignation of Captain Ray, in
1812, Captain Hugh Moore, assumed command, who, in 1813, was
superseded byJos. Jenkinson. In the spring of 1814, Major Whistler became its commandant, who in turn was superseded by Major
* Chief Pe-con died soon after this treaty, near the old residence of his successor,
Chief Richardville, some four or five miles up the St. Mary's river.




PEACEABLE CHARACTER OF THE INDIANS.       281
Josiah H.Vose, in 1815, who continued in command until its final
evacuation, 19th of April, 1819.
At the close of the struggles in 1814, soon after the arrival of
Major Whistler, to assume command here, it was feared that the
Indians might again make an effort to capture the post, and being
much out of repair, and most uncomfortable for the garrison in
many respects, Major Whistler applied to the War Department for
permission to rebuild it, which was granted by General Armstrong,
and the main structure was replaced by new pickets and other
necessary timber for the rebuilding of the officers and other quarters within the enclosure.
Though many Indians continued, for several years after the war
of 1812 to congregate here for purposes of trade; to receive their
annuity; and also from a feeling of sympathy and attraction for
the scene of their old home and gathering-place, aside from some
petty quarrels among themselves, in which they would often kill
each other, nothing of a war-like nature was ever again manifest
between the Indians and the whites.
During 1818, a year remarkable for the congregation of many
Indians here the red man is referred to as presenting a general
spirit of order and love of peace, not surpassed by many of the
whites of the time, and well worthy of emulation in many instances. It was no unconmmon thing in their visits to Ke-ki-on-ga,
seeing a new hut, to enquire whether the new-comer was quiet-if
he "make no trouble for Injun," &c. And their intuition and
close observation were presented very often in the most striking
and remarkable light.
On one occasion, about this period, an elderly Miamie had come
to the village to trade a little. Soon meeting his old friend, Jas. Peltier, the interperter, his observing eye, in looking about the place,
soon fell upon a hut near, that had but recently been built. " Ugh!"
ejaculated the Indian; " new wigwam 1' He now became most anxious to know if the white man was peaceable-whether he come to
make trouble for Injun? The two now soon entered the hut of the
new-comers, and shook hands with the inmates. The Indian at once
began to look about him, and to enquire how many warriors (children) they had, &c. Eyeing the matron of the house or squaw, as the
Indian called her, and observing that she was quite sad, the Indian
became anxious to know what was the matter with her-he was
sure she was sick. The woman averred that she was not sick.
But the Indian knew she was. Turning to his old friend P. again,
after looking at the woman and striking his hand upon his breast,
exclaimed, "White squaw sick at heart;" and was anxious to
know if she had not left something behind, at the settlement from
which they came to Fort Wayne.     In response to this, the
woman quickly replied, that she had left her only son, by her first
husband, at Piqua, and that she was anxious to have him with her,
but her present husband did not want him to come. 6 Dicdnt I tell




282                  HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
you white squaw sick at heart!" replied the Indian, much elated.; and
fie at once proposed to go to Picqua and bring her son to her, ii Mr.
P. would giv, ihim a blanket —whichi was readily agreed to. Receiving a note from the mother, the next morning early, with two
Indian ponies, the generous red man wvas on the road to Piqua; and
in five cays from t1hat time returned with the boy! Thle woman's
heart was eased, and as the faithful Indian gazed upon the happy
meeting of the mother and-the son, lAis ]ear t w(lrmled within him,
and turning to his friend Peltier, he exclaimed:' Is'nt tllhat good
medicine for the white scquaw!
The Indian now became the faitlh:ful protector and friend of the
woman and her son, assuming the speci.al guardianship of the latter-telling the husband that if he ever hear( al word of complaint,
either from the son or mother, as to ill treatL;-ent, " he would have
his hide, if he had to lay in the Malltmee river unt-il the moss'' had
grown six inches on his back."
For six or seven years the Indian continued his visits to thel hut of;the new-comers, always bringing them supplies in lth.e forml  of
venison, and animals of different kinds; and the boy very often accompanied his kind benefactor to the forest in pursuit of game.'
"It was a custo)m witl the Inldians in warfare, lwhen see;ingl to revenge'themsc.eles
uplon some one, often to cover their bacls with m oss or wveeds, and thus to cree': from
point to point, surprising and I.illinlo their opponenlt:.
iAs related by Jas. Peltier'co i is soI Louis Peltier, rolm rwhom the wvri'tit eceived
the narration.




CHAPTER XXV.
"Broad plains-blue waters-hills and valleys,
That ring with anthems of the free! "
----  ----
Fort Wayne regarded as an object of marked value to the country —Commanding officer's and soldiers' garden-Main road and general scenery from the fort-Burial
grounds-Exhumation of Indian bones, &c.-Hospitality of the garrison-Early
navigation of the St. Mary's and Maumee- Fhe general landing-place —Dams and
mills —The fur-trade-"Packs" —Richardville-His wealth —French tradersTreaties at St. Mary's, Ohio-Occupants of the fort in May, 1814 —Return of chief
Richardville to Fort Wayne in 1814-His refusal to attend the treaty of Greenville
-Rebuilding of the fort-Early traces-The " Big Elm" —A fourth-of-July party
-Arrival of the mail —Removal of Major Whistler, and appointment of Major J.
H. Vose and Lieutenant Clark-Abandonment of the garrison —Loneliness of the
settlers-Captain J ames Riley's visit to and early impressions of Fort Wayne -nd
vicinity —Early buildings-Settlers of 1815 —Army contractors —Admission of Indiana as a State —The convention at Corydon —Vincennes the seat of government
for the Indiana Territory —Whatis now Allen County, early formed a part of Randolph County on the south, of which Winchester was long the county-seat —Large
gathering of Indians at Fort Wayne —How they drew their rations —The old
Council-house and well-Letter of Major B. F. Stickney —Early traders —Visit
here of General Cass and H. R, Schoolcraft-Formation of State Districts and election of Representatives.
-0S WITH the heat of summer and the frost of winter, so the
effects and agitated state of the war element only gradually
disappeared, again leaving the atmosphere of the general
3 mind in a state of comparative passivity and reconciliation.
Still remote from the " settlements," Fort Wayne continued
as in former years, to exist as an object of special interest to the
nation, not knowing what trials and conflicts might sooner or later
call it into action again, in defence of the northwest; and for some
years after the achievements of 1812-14, the soldier still continued
to stand guard at its portals.
Attached to the fort, running west to about where the " Old Fort
House " is located, and where David Comparet's warehouse stands,
embracing about one acre of ground, was an excellent and well
cultivated garden, belonging to the commanding oflicer, always
filled, in season, with the choicest vegetation. Still to the west of this
was the company's garden, extending to about where the Hedekin
House now stands, which was also well tilled.     The road then main



284:               HISTORY OF FORT WAYNEo
ly used, extended westward' from the fort along what is now the
canal, to the corner of Barr and Columbia streets.
In general appearance, in the summer of 1814, looking out upon
the surrounding scene from the fort, the country and vicinity was described as of the rarest beauty. Nature everywhere wore an aspect
of grandeur. The surface, as cleared by order of General Harrison,
in 1812, to thwart the efforts and designs of the Indians, was now
formed, here and there, with beautiful lawns of tall blue grass, of
the finest growth, undisturbed, from season to season, save by the
tread and hunger of a few stray ponies.
Just to the south of the fort. in what is now " Taber's Addition,"
was located the burial-ground of the garrison; and where also were
deposited others not immediately connected with the fort. Lieutenant Ostrander, mentioned in a former chapter, who had unthoughtedly fired upon a flock of birds passing over the fort, had
been repremanded by Captain Ray, and because of his refusal to
be tried by a court-martial, was confined in a small room in the
garrison, where he subsequently'died, was among the number
buried in this old place of interment. Another place of burial,
where also a number of Indians were interred, extended along the
northwest corner of Columbia and Clinton streets, and to the adjoining block. Many bones were removed from this point some
years ago, in digging cellars, and laying the foundations of buildings.
In 1846, in the progress of excavating for a foundation wall,
immediately to the west of the northwest corner of Main and
Calhoun streets, were dug up and " removed the remains of an Indian, who had;long before that been buried, with a gun excellently
mounted, some trinkets of silver, and a glass pint flask of whisky,
which liquid was still preserved in at least as good a state as when
buried. The hair was also in a fair state of preservation, though the
skull was much decayed, as were the gun mountings carroded.:'
Another burial ground, used principally by the Indians, within
the recollection of some of the early settlers here,extended from about
where Messrs. Hill & Orbison's warehouse stands, across the basin
to the brewery, and beyond. And often had been seen, years ago,
swinging from the bough of a tree, or in a hammock stretched between two trees, the infant of the Indian mother; or a few little
log enclosures, where the bodies of adults sat upright, with all their
former apparel wrapped about them, and their trinkets, tomahawks,
&c., by their side, could be seen at any time for many years, by the
few pale faces visting or sojourning here.
In those hospitable periods in the northwest, when it was the
pride as well as pleasure of every one to freely' help his neighbor,
in any way that each could be serviceable to the other, the appearance of a stranger at the fort, from the settlements, or any part of
the country, was a treat not to be lightly considered; and such an
*"jFort Wayne Times," 1858.




EAREIL  NAVIGATION-THE FUJ          TRADE.              285
arrival was always hailed with unbounded pleasure by all, and entertained with the freest and most gratifying hospitality.
One of the principal ways by which Fort Wayne was reached at
this period, was by water, either by way of the St. Mary's or Maumee
rivers, usually in flat boats and what was then known as pirogues,
embarking at St. Mary's,Ohio,when coming by way of the St. Mary's
river.  The boat landing was just below the fort, about where the
Maumee bridge is, and in the bend of this river-a road leading
obliquely down the embankment from the fort to the landing; and
up to 1838, it was no uncommon thing to see pirogues and flatboats,
laden with various articles of merchandise, whisky, flour, furs, &c.,
land and unload, and re-load, at this point.       But many dam.s having been subsequently erected along the St. Mary's, with a view
t'o the establishment of mills, navigation atlength became impeded,
and finally abandoned altogether.        Among the early mills built
along the St. Mary's and near Fort Wayne, was one erected by
Captain James Riley, in 1822, at a point familiarly known as the
Devil's Race Ground," or what is now Willshire, Ohio; in 1824-5
Samuel Hanna and James Barnett built a mill some three miles
from Fort Wayne, now known as " Beaver's mill."
Great quantities of hides and peltries arriving here on horses,
familiarly called " packs,"7 or by water, across'by portage,        -from.
the Wabash, &c., were placed in pirogues, and re-shipped to Detroit,
and other points below.      And this business was for many years
the principal commerce of the place-in fact, the coizt itself, by
which notes and " promises to pay," were usually liquidated'; and
it was through these that goods of various kinds were generally
iThis business of the portage or transporting of goods and furs to and from the waters
of the Maumee and W abash, had, before the erection of the fort, become of considerable
importance. For some time previous to about the year 1800, it had been pretty much
monopolized by the mother of the late chief Richardville, who usually employed a
considerable number of men-Indians-and horses for that purpose. The extent and
profit of the business was such, that the Indians, upon the grant of a tract of land on
Little river, at the treaty of Greenville, endeavored to have reserved to themselves the
exclusive right of transportation across the portage, a portion of which was included
in the grant; and it was stated that as much as one hundred dollars had been yielded
from this source in one day. It is quite certain that this woman amassed a considerable fortune at the business. Afterwards, Mr. Louis Bourie, of Detroit, who had a trading house here, principally carried on this business, from about the year 1803, to 1809.
His clerk, here, who usually employed a number of men and horses for the purpose, acted also as a kind of forwarding merchant for the traders. Upon.the deposit of goods
in their absence,he issued regular receipts for the same,and paid off the charges of freight
and duties at the post of Miami. The traders would purchase their goods in Detroit
or Canada, usually in the summer or fall; transport them in pirogues, in case of purchase from the former, to Detroit or Post Miami, where they paid duties; thence they
ascended the Maumee river, by the same road to the portage at Fort Wayne; crossed
the same by pack horses to the head waters of the Wabash, and down the same by pirogues to their respective establishments  In the spring they returned, in the same
manner with the furs they had collected in winter, to the marts of Detroit and Canada,
whence they were sent to Europe. We can scarcely conceive, at this day, of the immense quantities o furs, consisting principally of beaver, bear, otter, deer, and coon,
which were formerly collected on the Wabash and Illinois rivers, and nearly all of which
passed over this portage. They were the principal staple of the country, and among
the traders the only currency-when debts were contracted, or payments to be made,
wotes were usually drawn payable in furs. Such notes are found extending back in




286                HIISTORY OF FORT WAYNtE
obtained in exchange-such as dry goods, boots, shoes, haidware,
&c-which were sold at exorbitant prices to the Indians, and others,
and by which means, and the early purchase of lands, at a very
low figure, many in after years became very wealthy. Richardville, the late chief of the Mliamies, who was licensed as a trader
with the Indians at this point, as early as 1815, amassed an immense
fortune, mainly by this trade and the sale of lands. Schoolcraft
estimated his wealth some years prior to his death at about $200,000
in specie; much of which he had had so long buried in the earth
that the boxes in which the money was enclosed, had mainly decayed, and the silver itself greatly rusted and blackened.
In 1818, several French traders came here, but not meeting with
such inducements as they had desired, passed on, after a few days,
to the more remote regions of the West, where furs were supposed
to be more abundant.
In this year there were also a number of treaties held with the
Indians at St. Mary's, Ohio, on behalf of the United States, under
the direction of Governor Jennings and Benjiamin Parke, of Indiana, and General Lewis Cass, of Michigan; at one of which, on
the 6th of October, a purchase of a considerable body of land
lying south of the rivers St. Mary and Wabash, was effected.
When Major Whistler assumed command of the garrison, in
May, 1814, aside from the little band of soldiers here, were the two
daughters of the commandant, Mrs. Laura Suttenfield,* George
and John E. Hunt; Lieutenant Curtiss, and William Suttenfield,
husband of Mrs. L. Suttenfield. Soon after the war broke out, with
many other members of the tribe, including his family, Chief
Richardville, made his way to the British lines for protection, and
with a view, doubtless, to render some aid to the enemy; for, as
the reader already knows, but few among the tribes of the northwest
remained neutral, or failed to give aid in some way to the British
cause. At the close of the troubles in 1814, he again returned
to this point, and soon passed on up the St. Mary's, about three
miles from Fort Wayne, where he encamped.tl  Major Whistler,
desiring to see him, at once sent an interpreter to him by the name
of Crozier, requesting him to come immediately to the fort, with
which he readily complied. The treaty of Greenville, already referred to, was now about to take place, and the Major desired
that the chief should be present, and so requested him; but Richardville was very indifferent about the matter, hesitated, and soon
returned to his camp again. A few days subsequently, however,
he came back to the fort, where he was now held as a hostage for
some ten days, when he at length consented to attend the treaty,
and was soon after accompanied thither by Chief Chondonnai, of
(late from 1810 to as early as 1738; at which latter period Kaskaslia was the enpori
u At of the trad,> of theWest.- C. B. Lasselle, from Fort Wayne Democrat, Feb. 20th 1867.
~:8eo sklethe of her in. back part of this volume.
[T'wa.s not far from thiis point where the government, a few years later, built himr a
-relv near; brick hiouse, in. which he resided for several years afterwards.




REBUILDTNG OF THE FORT.              287
one of thle lower tribes, (who'lad )een a party to thle Chicago massac:re,) Iobert L. Forsyth, and Win. Slttenfield.
5Much of the season of'1S15, was spent in rebuilding the fort;
and when completed, as with the firs' erected in 1794, was a most
substantial affair. Trle timber with which it had been built, was
obtained principally'froil what is now the east end, about Nwhere
stands the dwelling of HI. B. Taylor, James Embry, and the late
Samuel Hranla —the pickets consisting of timber, some twelve and
a half feet in length, "i in sets of six, with cross pieces, two feet
from the top, let in and, spiked, andc  a trench dug, two and a half
feet deep, into which they were raised.2': As the old pickets were
removedl, the nlew ones took their place.
At this early period the roads leading frloml the fort were mere
traces; one leading to Fort Recovery, and known as the "Wayne
tl'race," passing through what is now Allen County, thence into
Adams, to the nlorth of Monmouthi; from. thence passing not far
froml Willshire to " Shane's Crossing," and so on. There was also
a t'ace to (Captau.li Well's place, on the banks of Spy Runn; two
tr.aces led dowAi- tlhe M3naumee on either side; and one extended in
tihe direc.tioll ol" l'o:l; o Dearborn, (Chicago;) between which point
and Fort W'a:Cle, i io house was then visible, nor indeed, in any other
direction, with, pel.laps, one or two exceptions, short of the settlenmeints in Ohio. The two common:fording places at that time and for
some years later, w. ere above and below.the iMarmee bridge-the
one below the brid.lce vwas better known as" 1Iarmer's Ford," both
of which are now i,.,ost entirely obliterated..
1i- was below til.is latter ford, near a path leading towards Detroit,
under the cheerful shade of what was then and long after known as
the " BigE Elm," on lthe,4tl of July, 1810, that Captain Ray and a few
others fiom the fort, were enjoying themselves most agreeably,
partaking of a dinner, in honor of the glorious occasion, when an
express came up the tLrac e from Detroit, with the private mail and
Government despatches. Here Captain Ray took possession of
the " mail matter,t all gathering around to receive their favors,
which. were then duly diistibulted by first Postmaster Ray; and the
old Elnm was thereafter known as "the Post Office." What has
become of this " old familiar tree "-whose o' erhanging bows
formed the shadow of the Jirsi. post office in the region of Fort
Wayne, is now unknown. Perhaps some unsparing axeman long
since cut ii down.
IL was by way o. Fort Wayne at this period and some years after
that the troops at Chicago a1nd GLreeu Bay received their regular
mail by military express.
Major Wvhistler, in, 1817, being rei-oved from this point to what
is now St. Charles, iMo., w\as succeeded by [Major J. H. Vose, of
the 5th regiment of regulars, who held command until permanently evacuated, iln April,..819. The departure of the troops is
* "Fort'Wayne Times," 185:.




288             HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
said to have " left the little band of citizens" then here " extremely lonesome and unprotected. The cessation of the therefore daily
music of the troops in the fort was eupplied by the stillness of
nature, almost overwhelming. The Indians were numerous, and
their camp fires and rude music, the drum, made night more dreaded; but to this the inhabitants of Fort Wayne soon became familiarized."'"The punctilio of military life was gradually infused
into the social circle, and gave tone to the etiquette and moral
habits of the citizens of " the fort.*
It was in this year, about the 24th of November, (1819,) that
Captain James Riley, the surveyor, paid a visit to Fort Wayne.
The following are some of his impressions as then dotted down.
" At every step, in this country," said he of General Wayne
and the fort, "every unprejudiced mind will more and more admire
the movements and achievements of the army, conducted by this
veteran and truly wise and great commander; (General Wayne.)
By occupying Fort Wayne, the communication between Lake Erie
and the Ohio, through the channels of the Maumee and the Wabash
(which is the shortest and most direct water route from Buffalo to
the Missisippi river,) was cut off, or completely commanded." He
also suggested the importance of a canal, by way of the portage,
from St. Mary's to Little river, and said such " might very easily
be cut six miles long, uniting the Wabash to the St. Mary's, a little
above its junction; and from what I saw and learned from others,"
said he, "it is my opinion that the swamp might afford water sufficient for purposes of Canal navigation.
" The country around Fort Wayne," he continued, " is very fertile.
The situation is commanding and healthy, and here will arise a
town of great importance, which must become a depot of immense
trade. The fort is now only a small stockade; no troops are stationed here, and less than thirty dwelling houses, occupied by
French and American families, from the settlement. But soon as
the land shall be surveyed and offered for sale, inhabitants will
pour in from all quarters; to this future thoroughfare, between the
East and the Mississippi river."
A year later, November, 1820, Captain Riley, writing to HIon.
Edward Tiffin, surveyor-general, said he " was induced to visit this
place for curiosity, to see the Indians receive their annuities, and
to view the country." It was at this period that he levelled the
portage ground, from the St. Mary's to Little river, and presented
also some very practical suggestions, which, in after years, came
to be highly serviceable. Every freshet at that time, brought
many boats down the St. Mary's, which had, for some years, been
quite common. This, (Fort Wayne,) said he, is " a central point,
combining more natural advantages to build up and support a town
of importance, as a place of deposit and trade, and a thoroughfare,
than any point he had seen in the western country."
At this period, he remarked, there were about one thousand
* "Fort Wayne Times," 1858;




AccouNT OF CAPTAIN RILEY-TRADE WITH THE INDIANS.  289
whites here from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and New York, trading
with the Indians during the payment season, who had brought a
great abundance of whisky with them, and which they dealt out
to the Indians so freely as to keep them continually drunk, and unfit for business; horse-racing, drinking, gambling, debauchery,
extravagance, and waste were the order of the day and night; and
that the Indians were the least savage, and more christianized;
that.the examples of those whites were too indelicate to mention;
all of which he thought could be remedied by a speedy survey of
the lands, and then to dispose of them as soon as possible, from
the mouth of the Maumee to Fort Wayne; and from thence down
the Wabash, which would superinduce a rapid settlement, and
give spur and energy to agriculture, commerce, and manufactures;
and farther suggested that the p'ace should Ie laid out in lots, and
sold, the money to be applied uy the President, giving a place and
lands on which to erect buildings of a public character for "' this
fultdure Emporium? of ]Idicana"' And he finally purchased, this
year, at the Piqua Land Office, a number of tracts of land at the
Rapids of the St. Mary's, (Willshire,) where he soon moved his
family, laid off a town, and, two years later, (1822,) built a grist
mill, and surveyed all the country, on both sides of the St. Mary's,
embracing Fort Wayne; and also about twenty townships, of six
miles square, between the St. Mary's and the Maumee.
Such were the prophetic words-such the spirit and energy of
that stirling pioneer, Captain James Riley. And he will certainly long live in the memory of the people of Fort Wayne.
The trade with the Indians now constituted, for some years after
the organization of the county, in 1824, the main life and business
activity of the place; the principal features of which have been most
fully presented in the foregoing, by Captain Riley.
As illustrative of what Captain Riley has said of the adventurous sptrit of the time, on one occasion, at a later period, in the
history of this old carrying-place, an Indian had come to Fort
Wayne, upon a very fair pony, and alighted in front of a little
grocery and liquor store, which then stood on the west side of
what is now  Oalhoun street, a little north of the north-west corner of Aain and Calhoun streets. The Indian wanted money, and
offered to sell his pony for a moderate sum, to a white man standing near the point at which he stopped. The man looked at the
pony somewhat scrutinizingly, and said to the Indian that he would
6" like to ride him up the street a piece, and if he liked him, would
buy the pony." The Indian assented, and the man sprang upon the
animal and rode towards Wayne street. At that time, and for
some years subsequent, the old jail, a rather substantial, though
rough-looking log building, stood on the south-west corner of the
the present enclosure of the court-house. Coming to this old edifice, the man turned the corner, eastward, p ssed the jail, and putting whip to the pony, was soon beyond the iimits of the town I The
(1.9)




290             1rISTORTa o FORT WAYM,.
pony was gone. None could tell him- of the rider; and the Indian
never saw him more.
In 1815, a few houses began to appear some distance from the
fort, but usually in range of the bastions; so that, in case of attack,
they might easily be destroyed, or the enemy driven away. One
of these was built about the centre of what is now Barr street, near
the corner of Columbia, which, some years afterwards, being removed from its former locality, formed a part of the old Washington Hall building, on the southwest corner of Columbia and Barr
streets, destroyed by fire in 1858.
Among those who came to this point in 1815, were a Mr. Bourie,
grandfather of L. T. Bourie; Dr. Turner, Dr. Samuel Smith, from
Lancaster, Ohio, and John P. Hedges returned here froml Cincinnati, whither, and to Bowling Green, Ky., he had gone after the
battle of the Thames. The following year Dr. Trevitt came.
John H. Piatt, of Cincinnati, beginning with 1812, furnished.
supplies to the army here, with Nwhom, in 18.14, became associated
Andrew Wallace. This contract was subsequently disposed of to
Rob't Hugh Glenn and Jacob Fowles, who, mn turn, disposed of:it
(in 1817,) to Major Wi. P. Rathbo'ne, of New York City.
In 1816, Indiana having been admitted as a State, in compliance
with an act of Congress, a Convention was held at Corydon, with
a view to the formation of a State Constitution, in which body this
part of the State, then a portion of Knox county, was represented
by John Badolet, John Benefiel, John Johnson, Win. Polk, and
Benjamin Parke, all now deceased.
The. seat of government of Knox county was at Vincennes,
which had for several years been the seat of government for the
Indiana Territory; and all judicial matters relating to the vicinity
of Fort Wayne, were settled at Vincennes up to 1818, when this
portion of tie State, extending to Lake Michigan, was embraced in
Randolph County, of which Winchester was the county seat, up to
the formation of Allen County, in 1823.
During  815, after the declaration of peace, the Indians began
to gather here in large numbers, to receive their rations, &c., as
per treaty stipulations, at Greenville.
Being admitted intb the fort, on such occasions, in parties of six
or eight, the Indians would present a little bundle of short sticks,
to represent the number of rations they wished to draw. The council-house which had been destroyed by the siege of 1812, was
rebuilt in 1816, upon the site of the old one, which was again occupied by the former Indian agent here, Major B. F. Stickney.
The same well that was used at the time of its occupancy at this
early period, is still used by Mr. IHedekin, whose residence now
occupies the site of this old edifice.
The year following the rebuilding of the old council-house, (1817,)
Major Stickney addressed the following letter to Thomas L. M'Kiu



LETTEI OrF IMAJO     B. F. STIOKNEY.               291
hey, then superintendent of Indian Affairs.       This letter bears date
"F* ort Wayne, August 27th, 18172" and at once presents to the mind
of the reader the true condition of the Indians here at that period.
Said Mr. Stickney:
"I shall pa i every attention to the subject of your letter, developing the exalted
views of philanthropy of the Kentucky Baptist Society for propagating the gospel
among the heathen. The civilization of the Indians is not a newsubject to me. I
have been, between five and six years, in the habit of daily and hourly intercourse
with the Indians northwest of the Ohio, and the great question of the practicability
of civilizing them ever hefore me. That I might have an opportunity.of casting in
mny mite to the bettering of the condition -of these uncultivated human beings, and
the pleasure of observing the change that might be produced on them, were the principal inducements to my surrendering the comforts of civilized society.
Upon my entering on my duties, I soon found that nfy speculative opinions
were not reducible to practice. What I had viewed, at a distance, as flying clouds,
proved, upon my nearer approach, to be impassable mountains. Notwvithstanding
these discouraging circumstances, I am ready to aidyour views by all proper means
within my power; and, in so doing, believe I embrace the views of the government
of which I am. agent.': - *  it will be proper for me to be more particular,
and give you something of my ideas of.the nature and extent of the obstacle to be
met.'"First. —The great, and, I fear, insurmountable obstacle is, THE INSATIABLE
THIRST FOR INTOXICA TING LIQUOIRS that appears to be born with all the yellow-skin inhabitants of America: and the thirst for gain of [some of] the citizens of the United States appears to be etpable of eluding all the vigilance of the governmrent to
stop the distribution of liquor among them. When the Indians can not obtain the
meansiof intoxication within their own limits, they will travel arn distance to obtain it. There is no fatigue, risk, or expense, that is too great to obtain it. In. some
cases, it appears to be valued higher than life itself. If a change of habit in this
can be effected, all other obstacles may yield. But if the whites can not beirestrained from furnishing them spirituous liquors, nor they from the use of them, I
fear all other efforts to extend to them. the benefits of civilization will prove fruitless.
The knowledge of letters serves as the medium of entering into secret arrangements
with the whites, to supply the means of their own destruction, and, within the limits' of my intercourse, the principal use of the knowledge of letters or civilized language has been for them to obtain liquor for themselves and others.
"Secondly.-The general aversion to the habits, manners, customs, and dress
of civilized people; and, in many cases, an Indian is an object of jealousy for
being acquainted with a civilized language, and it is made use of as a subject of reproach against him.
" -hhirdly.C-General indolence, connected with a firm conviction that the life of a
civilized man is that of slavery, andthat savage life is manhood, ease and independence.
" Fourthly. —Tb unfavorable light in which they view the character of the citizens of the United St ates-believing that their minds are so occupied in trade and
speculation, that they never act from any other motives.'* Their opinion
of the government of the United States is, in some degree, more favorable; but
secretly, they view all white people as their enemies, and are extremely suspicious
of every thing coming from them.
" All the MNiamies, and Eel river Miamies, are under my charge, about one thousand four hundred in number; and there are something more than two thousand
Pottawattamies who come within nmy agency. The proportion of children can not
be ascertained, but it must be less than among the white inhabitants of the United
States. They have had no schools or missionaries among them since the time of the
French Jesuits. They have places that are commonly called villages, but, perhaps
not correctly, as they have no uniform place of residence. During the fall, winter,
and part of the spring, they are scattered in the woods, hunting. The respective
bands assemble in the spring at. their several ordinaryplaces of resort, where some
have rude cabins, made of small logs, covered with bark; but more commonly, some
po:es stuck in the "gr-ound and tied togethher with plialnt slips of bark, and covered
fith large sheets of bark, or a kind of mats, made of fiags,




292                  HISTORY OF FOT I WAYE.
6 Near these places of reqort they plant some corn. There are eleven of these
places of resort within my agency. The Mianmies and Eel river Miamies reside,
principaly, on the Wabash, Mlissisineewa and Eel river, and at the head of White river,
The Pottawattamies [reside]' on the Tippecanoe, Kankakee, Iroquois, Yellow river,
St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the Elkhart, M3iami of the lake, the St. Joseph emp.
tying into it, and the St. Mary's river. They all believe in a God, as creator
and governor, but have no idea of his will being communicated to man, except as it
apry irs in the creation, or as it appears, occasionally, from his providential gorernment. Some of them had been told of other communications having been made
to the white people a long time since, and that it was written and printed; but they
neither have conception nor belief in relation to it. Their belief in a future existence iS
a kind of transubstantiation —a removal from this existence to one more happy, with
similiar appetites and enjoyments. They talk of abad spirit, but never express any
apprehensions of his troubling them in their future existence."
Among those engaged in the Indian trade at this point and at
what is now South Bend, in 1821, were Francis Comparet, with the
Pottawattamies, at the latter piace, and Alexis Coquillard, with the
Miamies, at the formner. Win. G and Geo. W. Ewing arrived here
in 1822, and began to trade with the Indians.
En route for the Mississippi, General Lewis Cass and the historian, H. R. Schooleraft, made a short stop at this point in June 1822,
reaching here in a canoe by way of the Maumee, fiom Detroit,
whence this little vessel was hauled across the portage to Little
river, from whence they proceeded on their journey to the Father of
Waters.
The following year, (1823,) the State being divided into two
Congressionel Districts, John Test, of Dearborn county, was selected representative from the district, then embracing Allen, &c., at
which period there were but about fity votes polled in the whole'
north part of the State of Indiana.




CHAPTER XXVI,
Scenes varied-new life —
New acts in the drama;
Still in the " forest deep and -wild."
Establishment of a land of-ice at Fort Wayne, and sale of lands-Purchase of Bapr and
McOorkle —-The original plat —Donation of ground for burial purposes, and upon
which to erect a meeting hoise and seminary —-Purchase of Judge Hanna —- he
first school-house of Fort Wayne —-Earlv school-teachers — Great abundance of fish
in the Maumee —- Ianufacture of oil —-'What the Indians thought —-Buildings and
business of 119 —-Store of Samuel Hanna and James Barnett —-Appearance of the
sountry in 1819 —-Searcity of settlers —-The Quaker trace —-Settlers between Fort
Wayne and Richmond, Ind. —-Recollections of John Stritten —-Early purchasers
of land here —-The Wells pre-emption —-Organization of Alien County —-First Ma8onic organization here —-First plat of Fort Wayne recorded at Winchester —First election of couinty officers-First meeting of the County Board —-County officers —First Justices of the peace —-Early tavrsr rates — iaxation —-Reort on taxable property —-Wolf-scalp cert ificates- First circuit court —-First grand jury —-First
ease on docket —-First application for divorce —-Tavern license —-Application for citizenship —-Pay of officers —-Meeting of court —-Attorney's device for seal —-Miles C.
Eggleston- -Associate Judges —-Report of Grand Jury —-The county jail —-Imprisonmlent for debt —-Court sessions — First will of Allen County —Murder by an Indian Chief, (Big Leg) —-His trial —-First restrainin case —-Term  of 1831 —-County
officers —-Judge Hanna and John Right —-Judge Right and Pat. McCOarty —-Daniel
Worth —-Organization of Delaware County —-Thle three per cent fued —-Grant of
land by Congress for canal purposes- Action of the land office- -Cession of land
tothe State of Ohio — Canal stipulations —-Canal commissioners —-Hon. Oliver H.
Smith —-Trip to Fort Wayne, by Mr. Smith, Judge Eggieston, and James Rariden
--— Election of John Test and Jonathan McCa'ty —- Election of Mr. Worth, of Randolph County —-Formation of Randolp-h, Alen, Delaware, and other territories,
adjoining into a senatorial district- -Re-election of Mr. Worth —-Election of Mr.
Holman —-Allen, Randolph, St. Joseph, Elkhart, auid Delaware counties formed.into a senatorial district —-Election of Miessrs, Worth, Hanna, Crawford, and
Colerick- -County Board of commissioners —-( ounty addition —-Taber's addition —First Probate Court —-Letters of administration —-Court terms —Estate of Chief La
Gross —-Appointment of W. G. Ewing — Judge McCulloeh —-Lucien B. Ferry —Elections and appointments —-Abolition ot the Probate Court and organization of
the Common Pleas Court — Election of Judge Borden —-Organization of a CriminCourt —- Marriage records.
-0o— HROUGH an act of Congress, approved by the President of the
United States, i;lay 8th, 1822, a land office was established at
-' Fort Wayne.       By this act the district for the sale of lands at this
point was also defined, and the President appointed Joseph Hol- man of Wayne county, Register, and Captain Samuel C.Vance,




294                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE,
of Dearborn county, Receiver. After the survey of the lands, the
President issued a proclamation for their sale, to the highest bidder,
the minimum price being ^,25 per acre; and the sale began on the
22d of October, 1823, at the fort. Considerable rivalry having been
awakened, touching that portion which embraced the town and
immediate settlement-some forty acres, in the immediate locality
of the fort, being reserved for the use of the Indian Agent-the
most extensive purchasers thereof wiere Barr, of Baltimore, Md., and
McOorkle of Piquas, Ohio. This portion of the city is marked on
the city maps' Old Plat to Fort Wayne," and originally designated as "the north fi'action of the south-east quarter of section two,
township thirty, north of range twelve east;" and it was on this that
Messrs. Barr and MIcCorlkle laid off the original plat of the' Town
of'lort Wayne,' as surveyed by Robert Young, of Piqua, Ohio.
This plat was embraced in one hundredl and eighteen lots.'*
In this plat, Messrs, Barr and McCorkle set apart and donated, by
deed, a body of ground, some four rods square, as a free place of
burial, with the privilege to any denomination, that might form. a
first organization here, to build a Church thereon. They also set
apart a lot, of similar dimensions, and adjoining the foregoing,
upon which to erect an educational institute or seminary.
But all marks of these donations have long since been destroyedthe pointt alone remaining to remind the reader of the thoughtful
character of the donors.
In subsequent years, Judge Hanna having purchased all the Barr
and MtcOorkie claims here, and the lots donated, as in the foregoing,
being laid off by Mr. Hanna as a part of the place, for general
building purposes, the dead of the grave-yard, were, in 1838-9, removed, at public expense or by loved friends, to the general cemetery, west of Fort Wayne.
Of the seminary or school-house erected oun the donation of Barr
and lMcorkle, the "' Fort Wayne Times," as late as 1858, in some
sketches of the place by the editor, says:' In this old schoolhuose, many of those, then young, but now past middle life who
yet live here; many dead, and others absent, had ltheir early training for usefulness; and many there experienced that joy only once
to be enjoyed in -alife-time; while, perhaps, nearly every teacher,
vho there disciplined the youthful mind, has gone to his final ac~ount, and soon here to be entirely forgotten.'' This
old school-house was built of brick, in 1825, and was then quite
* Running io'th to Water street, on the bank of the slough, where the
w ater from the City MATills now discharges, south to the alley south of the
first Presbyterian Church, west to Calhoun street, and east to a line running
iust east of Barr street. The reason, for the.peculia.r direction of the streets, as variant.rtomr a north and south line, is this, that some buildings had been put up by the. setle: s and temporary streets.thus adopted, which caused the proprietors to adopt the surrey to tle convenience of those squatters, who would, it was thought, buy the lots on
vhliicl their improvements should haDpen to fall.-' Fort Wayne Times," 1S58.
I Just westl of the county jail, on Calhoun street, and north of what is now Water
ta<Iet.




GREAT QUrANrITES OF FISH IN THE MA1UMEE.     295
large enough for all nedede purposes.:   *   It was only
one story in height, and served, for many years, not only as a schoolhouse, but as the place of religious worship, town meetings, Masonic installations, political speeches, cc.".
J. P. Hedges, who still survives as " one of the old ones of the
old ones," of Fort Wayne, was among the first, teachers in this
old pioneer school-house. In the winter of 1826, he had it plastered at his own expense, that it might be the more comfortable
and neat. A   iMr. A. Aughinbaugh also taught in this old schoolhouse at an early period. Mr. A., previous to 1833, had charge of
the county seminary, at which latter period, it is presumed he took
charge of a school in the old brick school-house.. It will not be
out of place here to remark that the old county jail, which, up to
1847, stood on the south-west corner of Calhoun and the court-house
square, was used for some time as a school-room, in which Henry
Cooper, Esq., taught; and Ir. Cooper is clarimed as the. first schoolteacher of the place.
The Indians, perhaps for centuries, had been accustomed to look
to the streams here for much of their food in the form of fish, so
abundant were they from Lake Erie to this point, and for some
distance up the St. Mary's and St. Joseph. During seasons of freshets, in great quantities, and some of them very large, they would
find their way up the Maumee from the lake, and when the high
water subsided, they were often so numerous, that it was difficult
to ride a horse or drive a team across the streams here without the
animals or the wheels of the vehicles running over some of the finny
tribe; and some years ago, a company from Cincinnati began, aCnd
for several years carried on, the manunfacture of oil from the fish
caught here. Mlany boys and Indians made very good wages by
catching the fish for the comUpany. The Indians had always been
of the belief that the Great Spirit had thus filled these streams with
fish for their special benefit, and when, a few years subsequent to
the period in question, a dam was built near the mouth of the
Maumee, at the'Lake, and the fish prevented from getting into this
stream, as their number gradually dirminisheds and the company
compelled to cease its operations thereby, the Indians expressed
great displeasure, and considered it a direct encroachment upon
their rights, and the designs of the Great Spirit.
Among the buildings erected here in 1819, was a log house, by
Samuel Hanna, at the north-west; corner of Barr and Columbia sts.,
where his brickl block was some years ago erected, and still stands.'
In this log edifice, he and James Barnett opened a considerable
store, for Twholesaleing to traders, in which business and building
they continued for several years-their goods reaching here from
the east, by way of Detroit, Toledo, and the litapids of the Maumee,
from which point they arrived here in pirogues, a kind of" dug-out,'
though usually quite long, and of one solid tree.
* See sketch of Mr. Hanna in latter part of this volume.




296                HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
At this period, the north-west was yet a comparative wilderness.
On the Wayne trace, already alluded to on a former page, not a
house was to be met with between this and " twenty-four mile
Creek."  At this point, there resided a man by the name of George
Ayres, near Willshire. By the St. Joseph trace, the nearest was
the house of a Colonel Jackson, on Elk Hart Prairie; and it was
not until a few years later, that a house appeared, in which Joel
Bristols lived, about three miles south of Wolf Lake, in what is
now Noble county. At a later period, about four miles north of
Kendallville, a man by the name of Norris settled; where Lima is
now located. On what was known, at an early day, as the " Quaker
trace," a few miles this side of Ilichmond, Indiana, there was an
occasional house to be seen; a man by the name of Robinson lived
on the Wabash, about thirty miles south of Fort Wayne; and a few
Quaker missionaries had a small settlement at the forks of the Wabash, where they gave the Indians instructions, as at \Wa-pa-konnetta, Ohio, in the art of agriculture.*
At the sale of lands at the fort, as already mentioned,  the south
half of the south-east quarter of the section referred to, and immediately south of that on which the original town was laid off,
was also purchased by Barr and MicCorkle, running to the section,
line, and also the south-west quarter of section one, just on the
east of the fort; while Alexander Ewing got the east half southwest quarter of section two-same on which Ewings' ar.d Rockhill's
addition were laid out afterwards. *   * The section of land over
in the forks of the St. Mlary's and St. Joseph, known as the' Wells
pre-emption,' had been, by an act of Congress, May 18th, 1808,
set apart as a pre-emption to Captain Wells, who was authorized
to enter it, when adjacent lands should be offered at $1.25 per
acre; but having lost his life, as the reader has already seen, in
1812, his heirs were thereafter authorized to, and entered it, at this
land sale, at $1.25 per acre."t
By an act of the legislature of 1823,4 the present county of Allen
was organized, as then forming a part of Randolph and Delaware
counties; and James Ray, of Indianapolis, W. Ml. Conner, of Hamilton county, and Abaithes Hathaway, were commissioned to deteri John Stratten, Esq. now residing somp six miles north of Fort ]Wayne, came here
about 1824-5, from Wayne county, near Richmond, mainly by way of the Robinson
trace, with a load of boots and shoes, which he then sold to the Messrs. Ewing, trading here. At hat time, he says, there were not more than six or eight houses to be
seen between Fort Wayne and Richmond, and the best house to be seen here at that period
was a hewed log house, one and a half stories high, kept as a tavern; beside s which, he
says, there were but about eight ordinary pole cabins. Besides the Ewings, he met
Peter Kisrr here at that time, who is still a goodly citizen of Fort Wayne, and, as for
many years past, still eigaged in the sale of Dry Goods, Groceries, &c.
oi "FoWt Wayne Times," 185F8.
iThe first Masonic organization here was formed in this year, (1823) and known as, Wayne Lodge, No. 25, F. A. hI." The place of meeting was within the pickets of
the fort, in the room of General John Tipton, at which place the order regularly tre;,
until finally removed to the old Washington fall building,, on the southwest corner of
Columbia and Barr streets.




FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS OF ALLEN COUNTY.        297
mine upon the county seat, which they agreed upon in the early
part of 1824.*
In the last week of May, in this year, the first election for county
officers occurred; and the first session of the " County Board" was
held on the 31st of May, the same month; the Board was constituted of the following persons: Wm. Pockhill, James Wyman, and
Francis Comparet.
The county officers were: Anthony L. Davis, Clerk; Allen
Hamilton, Sheriff'; Samuel Hanna arid Benjamin Cushman, Associate Judges; Joseph Holman, Treasurer - H. B. McKeen, first
Assessor; Lambert Cushoois, first Constable of Wayne township,
then embracing the entire county; W. T. Daviss, Overseer of the
Poor; R. Hars, Inspector of Elections; Israel Taylor, Joseph Troutner, and Moses Scott, Fence Viewers; Samuel Hanna, Road Supervisor for the township.
At the first session of the Board, an election for three Justices
of the Peace, for the township, was ordered, which resulted in the
choice of Alexander Ewing, Wm. N. Hood, and Wn. Rockhill,
who then assumed the position, ex of;icio, of the "Board of Justices,"
taking the place of County Commissioners. Their first session was
held October 22d, 1824, at which time the commissioners gave
notice of the location of a " State Road from Vernon, in Jennings county, by way of Greensburgh, Rushville, and New Castle,
to Fort Wayne."
The following were the tavern rates at that early period: Keeping horse, night and day, 50 cts; Breakfast, Dinner and Sup per, each
25 cts.; Lodging, per night, 12~ cts.; whisky, per quart, 12- cts.;
Brandy, per quart, 50 cts.; Gin, per quart, 37- cts.; Porter, per
bottle, 371 cts.; Cider, per quart, 18 cts.
In matters of taxation, the rates were arranged as follows: For
every male, over 21 years of age, 50 cts.; for a horse, gelding, or
mare, over 3 years old, 37~ cts.; every work ox, 18F cts.; stallion,
prices of the season; gold watch, $1.00; silver watch, 25 cts.;
pinchback, 25 cts.; four-wheeled pleasure carriages, $1.00. The
report of Mr. Holman on taxable property for 1824, was $112.62,
embracing delinquents, errors, &c.
The State, at this period, and for some years later, granted certificates of bounty on all wolf scalps taken, which certificates
were received by the collectoor for taxes. "So small was the tax,"
it is said, "that the State revenue due from this county, was nearly all paid off in these certificates, which were usually sent up to
Indianapolis by the representatives." t
The first circuit court held in Allen county, was on the 9th of
August, 1824, which then embraced what is now Adams, Wells,
X The original plat of Fort Wayne, as laid out in this year, was duly recorded at
Winchester, in Randolph county, which, as the records of the Recorder's office here
exhibit, were subsequently transferred to Alien.
" Fort Wayne Times," 1858.




298                HISTORYo OF FORT WAYNiE.
Huntington, and MThitley counties. C. W. Ewing, was at this time
prosecuting Attorney. John Tipton was made foreman of the
grand jury, which was composed as follows:.Paul Taber, William
Suttenfield Alexander Ewing, James W. Hackley, Chales Weeks,
John Daviss, Wm. Probst, Horace Taylor, James Wyman, James
Conner, Cyrus Taber, and WT. N. Hood, Peter Felix being discharged. The first case found on the docket was that of Richard Swain,
vs. Joseph Troutner, for trespass; and continued. At this time,W.
G. Ewing was admitted to the bar as a practitioner at law.
The first application for a divorce in the county, occurred during
the first session of this court. The names of the party were A.
Canada and Nathaniel Canada; which was continued. The nearest paper at that time, in which such matters received publicity,
was the Richmond, Ind., ninquire% about one hundred miles from
Fort Wayne.
Two applications for license, to open taverns here, were also
made at this term of the court, by Wmn. Suttenfield a.d Alexander
Ewino —the former on the corner of Barr and Columbia streets;
the latter, on the southwest corner of Barr and Columbia. An application was also made for citizenship, during this term, by Francis Aveline, or St. Jule, as then known, father of Francis A Aveline;which was granted. The St. Jule family, (French) came
from Vincennes to this place.
Some indictments were found against parties for selling liquor
without license, &c., at this term of the court-each being fined
$3 and cost. In one instance, for gambling, a man was fined $10.
The first master in chancery of this Court, was Charles W. Ewing, then a young lawyer of much ability. " To show the difference, between the manner of allowances of that day and this,
when six times as much service was rendered in a given time,
*' -' -, *   the records show that Rob't Hood,~ (well remembered by our old citizens.) was allowed 75 cts. per day for three
days' service as bailiffto the Circuit Court; Allen Hamilton $16.66
for four months service as Sheriff of Allen county; and Charles
W  Ewing, for his services as Prosecuting Attorney, for the term,
$5. This court after a session of three days, adjourned on the 12th
of August 1824, to convene again as the Courtin course."t The
following year, 1825, the Board of Justices appointed W. G. Ewing
county treasurer; and the second term of the circuit court was
convened at the residence of Alexander Ewing, on the 6th of
June-Hon. F. Morris, of the fifth judicial circuit, a resident of
Indianapolis, presiding-Judge i-lanna officiating in the capacity
of Associate Justice. James Rariden, and Calvin Fletcher were
admitted as practitioners of law at this term-both men of consid-' A very kind-hearted man, always ready, in those early days, to entertain the stranger and aid the western mover, when ever occasion presented; and many were the interesting adventures and laughable stories he related to his ol( friiends and the many
strangers then often gathered about'the big fire of the log-cabin in winter.
f" Fort Wayne Times," 1858.




COURT SESSIONS.                     "299
erable distinction in after years. Henry Cooper, a man of many
estimable qualities, long since deceased, was also admitted to the
bar, at this term  of the court, which continued only five days.
The third term of this court was convened at the house of Wm.
Suttenfield, on the 21st of November, 1825, Judges Hanna and
Cushman presiding; and it was at this term that a device for a
seal was   reported  by Charles W. Ewing.       Calvin   Fletcher
having presented his commission, was also sworn as Prosecuting
Attorney at this time.
The term   which convened 13th February, the year following,
1826, was held at the residence of Alexander Ewing, Judges Hanna and Cushman presiding, Hiram Brown, of Indianapolis, and
Moses Cox, being sworn in as attorneys, and Calvin Fletcher receiving the appointment of prosecuting attorney.
But two indictments were issued by the grand jury at this term
-one against an Indian, known as Sa-ga-naugh, for murder, and
the other against a man by the name of Elisha B. Harris,~ familiarly known as'" Yankee Harris," for larceny, neither of which, however, came to trial.
Ati the next regular sitting, August 13th, of this year, Hon.
Miles C. Eggleston, of Maddison, then pronounced one of the best
nisi priZs judges of the west, presented his commission at the
court here, as president judge, was sworn in, and presided over
the third term, Benjamin Cushman acting as Associate Judge,
Cyrus Taber, (afterwards of Logansport,vwhere he died some yelirs
ago,) sheriff, and Amos Lane, of Lawrenceburgh, father of Hon.
James H. Lane, of Kansas, was sworn in as prosecuting attorney.
The report of the grand jury, at this session, of' which John P.
Hedges, now among the last of the old pioneer stock yet remaining, was foreman, relates to the county jail, and runs as follow s:
" TWe, the grand jury, empa.nnelled for the county of Allen, and State of Indiana,
a-fter examining the coulty jail, are of the opinion that the criminals' rooms are not a
place of safety for persons committed thereto; that the debtors' room, upper department
of said jail, is not in a snitable condition for the reception of debtors, lfom the want of
locks, floor, and bedding.             "JOHN P. HEDGES, Foreman."
As this report clearly attests, imprisonment for debt was a common custon at this period, and continued for some years after to
be a common law'in the land. At this session, Judge Eggleston
presented a report relative to the mode of keeping a marriage record
by the clerk. No marriage record having been previously kept, it
was thereafter determined to keep such a register.
The next session met at Wm. Suttenfields', August 27th, 1827,
Messrs. Eggleston, Hood and Cushman, presiding, Abner Gerrard,
acting as sheriff, Oliver H-. Smith, being sworn in as prosecuting
- Harris was a singular character. He lived on the St. Mary's, about seven miles
fronm Fort Wayne. Had early adopted for his life's motto-"To be as honest as the nature of the circumstances would permit." He seems to have possessed a considerable
amount of common sense, but his main failing was, to engage in as many law suits as
possible, and ir that way, in par't, gained a very unenviable reputation.




300             HISToRY OF FORT'WAYNE.
attorney. At this time, Wm. Quarles, of Indianapolis, was licensed
to practice as an attorney.
The next term began May 12th 1828, at the residence of Benjamin Archer, and was presided over by Judges Hood and Cushman, at which-time, Charles H. Test, and Andrew Ingram were
sworn in as attorneys, and Mr. Test, late Secretary of State, received the appointment of prosecuting attorney for the term.
It was at this session that the first will was recorded in Allen
county. The party thus recording, was Abram Burnett.
At the next term, November 10th, 1828, Messrs. Hood and
Cushman, presiding. David Wallace,subsequently Governor of the
State, was sworn in and appointed special prosecutor. It was at
this term that the first conviction of felony occurred-the State
vs. Joseph Doane, who was sentenced to tie penitentiary for three
years.
The next term began May 11th, 1829, Judges Eggleston andHIood presiding; Martin M. Ray sworn in as prosecuting attorney. At this term Joseph Carville, for larceny, was sentenced ior
three years to the state's prison. During the vacation that folowed, Anthony L. Davis having resigned the clerkship, on the
14th of October, 1829, the Associate Judge met and appointed Joseph Holman thereto, but to which position Robert Hood was
subsequently elected, to assume the duties of the ocffe from February 15th, 1830. On the 10th of May, of this year, C. H. Test,
presenting his commission as President Judge, began the term of
i890, with Wm N. ilood, Associate Judge; Robert Hood as Clerk;
James Perry as prosecuting attorney; Thomas J. Evans being
sworn in as attorney, while David H. Colerick, Esq., was sworn
in as attorney, ex gratis, for the term,
At this term a case of murder came up for trial. A Miami Indian, known as Ne-we-ling-gua, or (Big-Leg,) being the accused.
A half Indian and negro woman, whom he claimed as his slave,
had been in the habit of entering his cabin during his absence,
and taking his meat. After repeatedly warning her to desist, he
at length told her that if she disobeyed him again, he would kill
her. From her residence among the clan, of which Big-Leg was
chief, whose village was on the Wabash, a few miles from Fort
Wayne, with a view to escape the fate that she knew must befall
her, after a further disregard of the commands of the chief, the
woman came to Fort Wayne, and was soon employed by some of
the citizens.
Shortly after her departure, Big Leg came to town, too, and.
wandering about, he soon discovered her washing, at a house then
standing about what is now the southeast corner of Clinton and
Columbia streets. Stealing suddenly upon her, with his long
knife ready for her destruction, he plunged it into her with such
force, that it is said the blade passed through her body, and she
fell dead at his feet; whereupon he proudly ejaculated, "was'nt




TRIAL OF BIG-LEG.                 301
that nice!"t Though no uncommon thing, at that period, for the
Indians visiting here to kill each other, and for which no
redress* had ever been sought by the authorities, the citizens here,
wvho were then largely outnumbered by the Indians of the region,
were greatly incensed at this terrible procedure of Big-Leg, and the
civil authorities at once had the chief arrested, and placed in the
old county jail.
His main plea was that the woman belonged to him-was his
property, and that he had a right to do what he pleased with her.
When told that he was to be hanged for the offense, he could not
comprehend it, but seemed to get the idea that it was some such
operation as that he had often witnessed in the use of the old
steel yards by the traders in weighing venison, &c., and concluded
that he was to be weighed ulntil he was 8dead; which fact soon became commonly understood among the Indians of his tribe and
the region here; and as he was a chief much regarded by his
clan, they early sought to exchange him for one of their number,
whom they considered rather worthless; but without avail.
Having received some explanations as to his probable fate by
hanging, or weighing, as he understood it, which he seemed to regard as fixed, he, with his friends, thought to have the experiment
tried upon a dog, in order to see how the animal would act. Accordingly, while the chief was still confined in the jail, a number
of his Indian friends collected about the outside of the prison, in
View of a small opening, where the chief could look out and see
the action of the canine as his Indian friends proceeded to execute
him. Placing a rope around the animal's neck, and suspending
him from a pole that had been arranged for the purpose, at
the height of a few feet from the ground, by means of crossed
stakes driven into the earth, the dog was soon dangling in the air.
Observing the animal very    closely through the grates of
the jail, the violent throes and contortions of the dog at once gave
him a great aversion to hanging, or being thus weighed till he was
deal; and when thejailor again made his appearance,he urged that
he might be shot, rather than be killed by such a process as that
he had seen tried on the dog.t
When his trial came on, John B. Bourie and chief Richardville acted as interpreters. He was convicted, but being recommended to mercy by the jury, the governor subsequently
granted him a pardon; and in 1848, with a body of Miamies, he
removed to Kansas.
The first restraining case that came before the court of Allen
county, was that of Maria Caswell, vs. Wm. Caswell, to prevent
the latter from selling certain property during the pendency of a
Indian usage guaranteed the right to kill one another, if they saw proper, as a matter of revenge, or for other r;asons, without any other punishment than that often
sought to be inficetid by way of common retaliation for the murder of friends.
+ Rscollections of T. W. Hood,'Squire John Dubois, and others, then residing here,




30 2              HITzoY OL FoRT WAYS!.
suit for divorce.  This case came up at the September term, 1830,
Judges Hood and Cushman presiding.
But little was now done in court matters until the latter partof
1831, when Judges Test, Hood, and Lewis G. Thompson, (the latter of'whom    had then but recently been elected,) presided as
Judges. Allen Hamilton was'now. clerk, and David Pickering,
sheriff. As clerk, Mr. Hamilton had been commissioned for seven years, beginning with June 14th, 1831, all of which period he
served.  David   1. Colerick was also again swo'rn in as attorney
for the term.
The first case, that of H. Cooper, vs. J. Wheeler, sent down
from  the Supreme Oourt, occurred at this time.      The case had
been reversed.
The spring term of 1832 began April 9th, and was presided over
by Judges Hood and Thompson, W. J. Brown acting as prosecuting attorney.   Gustavus A. Everett, and John S. Newman appeared as attorneys, and David H. Colerick, Esq., having produced
a license, signed by Judges Test and Morris, was then fully admitted as a practitioner at the bar.
In 1826, Samuel Hanna was elected a representative to the Legislature, the' district then being composed of Randolph and Alled
counties-Jay, Adams, Wells, and Delaware, having since been
formed out of these, the limits of Allen then embracing the territory of about all of these latter counties, west to the Illinois line.
Mr. Hanna's opponent, at this time, was John Right,' of Winchester, formerly a representative from  Randolph, and the adjoining
district.  As representative Mr. Hanna now served but one term.
Daniel Worth, of Randolph county, was the successor to Air.
Hanna.
During this legislative term of Judge Hanna, Delaware county
was organized; and a considerable region of country then lying
between Randolph and Allen counties received the name of
" Adams," but was not organized as a county until 1836.     At that
period the three per cent. fund, amounting to about $500 for each
couniy, was appropriated by the State, to the use of the different
counties, for the purpose of opening roads. The territory then
X    In those Pioneer days, when log cabins of various dimensions, served for the general purposes of dwelling, court-room and tavern, wherein, in the latter case, many
often slept in the same room, and not unfrequently,when very much crowded, two and
three in a bed, Mr, Right, while attending court in this district, of which, at the
time, he was Judge, the landlord of the house in which he was stopping, being very
much crowded, requested the Judge to receive a bed-follow for the night in question,
that all might be accommodated. Being averse to " strange bed-fellows," the Judge
was by no means favorable to the proposition of the landlord; but being assured that
the man was a very clever fellow, a good-natured Irishman, by the name of McCarty,
-the Judge at length consented, and the two were soon " in the one bed," with a FEw
OTHER BEDS IN THIE SAE aOOM, all as full as that occupied by the Judge and his friend
McCarty. Awakening "bright and early" the next morning, the Judge began to quiz
his Irish friend. " Pat," said the Judge," I guess you'd have lived a long time in the
old country before you'd have had the honor of sleeping with a Judge."
"Yes, be jabers," quickly replied Pat; "and if you'd lived in Ireland, it wouldlbhve
been a mighty long time before you'd uv had the honor of being a judge"'




COIMMINCEMENT OF THE WABASH AND ERIE CANAL.    303
embraced within the boundaries of Allen, was so extensive, that
the sum allowed her for road purposes, was considered of little value in carrying out the design of the appropriation; and Judge
Hanna drew the amount coming to Allen county, and bestowed it
upon what was afterwards called and organized as Adams county.
In the following year, (1827.) on the 2d of March, by an act of
Congress,' every alternate section of land, equal to five miles in
width," on both sides of what is now the Wabash and Erie canal,
"was granted to the State of Indiana," for the purpose of constructing " a canal from the head of navigation on the Wabash, at the
mouth of the Tippecanoe river, to the foot of the Maumee Rapids,"
the same to be commenced at the expiration of the five years following the passage of the act; "' and to be completed within twenty years" from that time.
Soon after this grant, the Land Office Commissioners closed the
sales and entry of all government lands lying along and embraced
within the limits of said grant, until such time as "the State should
select and locate her bounty under the grant,s" which, for a time,
hlad the effect to retard, rather than superinduce and encourage settlement in the northern portion of the State, and along the region
of the intended line of canal. A large. body of this land, amounting to some two hundred and fifty thousand acres, lay in the State of
Ohio, which were eventually ceded to that State, by an act of Congress and the consent of the State of Indiana, under certain stipulations, viz: "that the canal should be commenced and completed
according to the original grant; and that it should be sixty feet
wide on the surface of the water, and five feet deep, instead of
forty feet wide, and four deep." To adjust this, Hon. Jeremiah
Sullivan, during 1829, was commissioned to adjust and settle this
matter.
"In the winter of 1826 and 1827, a Board of Canal Commissioners was created, whose duty it was to examine into the practicability of a canal route across from the Maumee. to the Wabash, and of
obtaining a supply of water therefor, from the St. Joseph, St. Mary's,
Maumee, or Wabash, or all of them; for which purpose $500
were appropriated, and Samuel Hanna, of Fort Wayne, David Burr,
of Jackson county, and Robert John, of Franklin county, were
elected Commissioners. It was very difficult to get this Board together, but finally it was convened by Governor Ray, on the 14th
of July, 1828, at Indianapolis, and there received from him, plats,
maps, surveys, profiles, notes &c., of a report made by a corps of
Government Engineers, under instructions of the Engineer's Department, from the mouth of Little river,-at which point a prior
survey had been suspended in 1826-thence down the Wabash, and
from the summit at Fort Wavne down the Maumee river. This Board
of Commissioners met at Fort Wayne in the summer of that year,
(1828,)and being without a level or any instrument to work with, and
having no engineer, and the $500 of appropriation being insuffi



30A            HIISTORY OF FORT WAYnE.
cient for any practical purpose, Judge Eanna agreed to procure
the instruments, and was thereupon dispatched to Detroit, which
place he reached, on horse, in two days, then proceeding to N. York,
procured the instruments, and returned in an extraordinary quick
time for that day. The Board then proceeded, by the aid of John
Smyth, of Miamisburgh, Ohio, (an engineer) early in September,
to gauge the St. Joseph, St. Mary's, and Wabash, at the forks.
During these observations, Smyth was taken sick, and left the Board
(none of whom were engineers,) to carry on the work as best as
they could. From the 10th to the 23d of September, they spent
the time in examining the St. Joseph river, and the adjacent country, for the purpose of locating the Feeder for the canal, and finally succeeded in locating the dam and Feeder-line to the summits,
making their own estimates of this, and adopting the estimates,
&c., of Colonel Moore, under whose directions former surveys had
been made, down the Wabash and Maumee rivers; which, in the
meantime, had been received from the War Department, enabling the Commissioners, after the most diligent work, night and day,.
to present a report of their labor on the 26th of December, later
than was intended by law creating the commission. So exhausted
was Colonel Burr, by constant fatigue, in caluclation, &c., that for
a time his mental powers were overcome, and hence it devolved
on Juge Hanna to report; as he did —a report replete with liberal
suggestions, and sound sense. This report was concurred in, and
from that day went on a work which has proved so great a benefit
to Indiana. In this capacity Judge Hanna served three years.
Tie canal lands were located by commissioners, under act of January 25th, 1829, and platted, and a sale opened at Logansport, after some delay, in October, 1830, and an office opened in the first
week of October, 1832, at Fort Wayne.":*
The sale at Logansport was attended by a large number of persons, and much land was then sold in Cass and adjacent counties,
which resulted in the attraction of quite an influx of emigrants to
that section and contiguous parts of the State. " But," says C.
B. Lasselle, Esq., " owing to the length of credit given on the purchase, availed but little in affording means for the prosecution of
the construction of the canal.'It was, therefore, found necessary
to appeal to the means of the State. Accordingly a bill was introduced in the Legislature during the sessions of 1831-2, for effecting a loan upon the faith of the State, predicated upon the moneys arising from the sales, with interest thereon, together with the
tolls and water rents of the canal. The bill met with fierce opposition upon the part of many prominent men in the Legislature;
but it finally passed. Its success was duly celebrated by the citizens of Logansport."
The " Cass County Times," of March 2d. 1832, gave the following interesting account of the meeting of the commissioners, and
commencement of the work on the canal at Fort Wayne:
it FOr at Wayne Timt"s, Ddmber 16t.h, 13e8.




CANAL CEILE, BATION OF 1832.           305
The Colmmissioners of the WTabash and Erie canal me at aFort
Wayne on the 22d ult., for the purpose of carrying into effect the
requisition of the late law of the Legislature of this State, providingf for the commencement of said work, prior to the 2d day of
March, 1832, whereupon the Commissioners appointed the anniversary of the birth of the Father'of his country as the day on
which the first excavation should be made on said canal, and by an
order of the Board, j. Vigus, Esq., was authorized to procure the
necessary., tools and assistance, and repair to the most convenient;
point on the St. Joseph Feeder-line, at 2 o'clocK, on said day, or
the purpose aforesaid.
"The intention of the Commissioners havingg been made known,
a large number of citizens of the town of Fort Wayne and its vicinity, together with a number of gentlemen from the valley of the
Wabash, convened at the Masonic Hall, for the purpose of making
arrangements for the celebration of this important undertaking;
whereupon Henry Rudisill, Esq., was called to the chair, and David
L. Colerick appointed secretary. 
J"Te procession, having been foruied agreeably to order, proceeded across the St. Mary's river, to the point selected, when a circle
was formed, in which the Commissioners and Orator took their
stand. Charles NW. Ewing, Esq., then rose, and in his usual happy,
eloquent manneru delivered an appropriate address, which was received with acclamation. J. Vigus, Esq., one of the Canal Commissioners, and the only one present, addressed the company; explained the reason why his colleagues were absent-adverted to
the difficulties and embarrassments which the friends of the canal
had enzcountvered and overcome; noticed the importance of the woLk,
and the advantages which would ultimately be realized; and then
concluded by saying,' I am now about to commence the lYabca8
antd' Erie canal in the name and by the actlorlity; of the State of/
AIdiana'c IHaving thus said, he' strucl; the log. s8spended blow 
-broke ground —while the company hailed the event with three
cheers. Judge Hanna and Capt. Murray two of the able and consistent advocates of the canal, in the councils of the State, next approached and excavated the earth; and then commenced an indiscriminate diggi;ng and cutting. The procession then marched back
to town in the manner it went forth, and dispersed in good order."
H-on. Oliver H. Smith, at ths period in question, a resident of
Connersville, nd., in 1826, was elected a representative to Congress,
and took his seat at the session of 1827. His opponent was H-on.
John Test. Allen County then gave Mr. Smith but ten votes. In
his' Early Indiana Trials," Mr. Smith presents the. following interestingo account of a trip to Fort Wayne, in company with Judge
Eggleston and James Rariden, in 1825:
The fll term of the Circuit, Courts, 1825, found Judge Eggleston and myself well
mounted, once more on t.he Circuit. The Judge upon his pacing Indian pony: the
Samo th tt I afterwards role thCrougbh an eleationeering Congressional campaign; I
(. 




30G                   HlISTOiRY OP FOET 0    WAYNE.,
then rode my gry  "fox." Wewere joined.t Centerville by Jzmes lRardlen, mounot
ed on  Old Gray," one of the finest animals T have ever seen. Our Court was to
be held on the next Monday at F'ort Wayne. We reached Winchester late in tho
evening and took lodgings at the hotel of Paul W. Way, but no newspaper heralded
the arrival. Iow different was the cirbumstance that occurred when I was in the
Senate of the lUnted States. Silas Wrighti, Thomas TH. Benton and James Buchanan, for recreation, ran up to Philadelphia; the next day the Pensylvanian announced that Senators Benton and Buchanan had arrived in that city, and taken
lodgings at the United States Hotel. A. fw- days after the three distinguished Senators were in their seats. I sat at the time in the next seat to Gov. Silas Wright;
turning to the'Gov., "I see by the papers that Mr. Benton and Mr. Buchaian have been
in Philadelphia and taken lodgings at the United States Hote l; how did it happen
that your name was not announced, as you were with them?"  "I did not send zy
name to the printer." So it.was with us.
After early breakfast we Were Once more upon our horses, with one hundred miles
through the wilderness before us. There were tIano Indian paths that led to Fort
Wayne, the one by Chief Francis Godfioy's on the Salamoni river, the other in a
mnore easterly direction, crossing the Mississenewa higher up and striking the' Quaker Trace," from Riichmond to Fort Wayne, south of the head waters'of the
Wabash river. After a moment's consultation, Mr. Rariden, who was our guide,
turned the head of " Old Gray ".to the eastern path, and off we started, at a brisk
travelinog gait, in high spirits. The day passed away; it was very hot, and there
was n: water to be had for ourselves or horses. About one o'clock we came to the
Wabash river, nearly dried up, but there was grass upon the bank for our horses,
and we dismounted, took off the saddles, blanlets and saddle-bags, when the question arose, should we hold the horses while they grazed, tie them to bushes, spancel
them, or turn them loose? We agreed that the latter was the best for the horses and
easiest for us, but I raised the question of safety, and brought upa the old adage,
Safe bind safe find."  Mr. Rariden. "You could not drive Old Gray anway fromn
me."  Judge Eggleston. —"M. y Indian pony will never leave me;"  I mad'e no promise for my "Grey Fox."  The bridles were taken off, and the horses turned loose to
graze. A moment after, Old Gray stuck up his head, turned to the path we had
just come, andc bounded off at a lull gallop swarming with flies, followed by tle
pacing Indian pony of the Judge, at his highest speed. Fox lingered behind, builsoon became infectecl with the bad example of his associates, and away they all
went, leaving us sitting under the shade of a tree that stood for years afterwards oni
the bank of the Wabash. Our horses were, aweek afterwards, taken up at Fort Defi
auce, in Ohio, and brought to'us at Wtinchester on our return. It took us but a
moment to decide what to do. Ten mniles Would take us upto Thompson's on Towncend's Prairie. Our saddles and blankets wevre hung up above the reach of the
wolves. Each took his saddle-bags upon his back, and we started c t a quick stepItariden in the lead, Judge Eggleston in: the centre, and I brought up te rear.
The heat was intense. None of' us had been much used to walking. I am satisfied
we must all have broken down; but mnost fortunately there had fallen the night before
n light rain, and the water lay in the shade in the horse tracks. We were soon on
our knees, with our mouths to the water. —Tell me not of your Croton, ye New
Yorkers, nor of your lairmount, ye Philadelphians, here was water, " what was
v'ater." Nearnight we reached the prairie worn down with heat and fatigue. The
thunders were roaring and the lightnings flashin g from the black clouds in the west.
A storm was coming up on the wings of a hurricane, and ton minutes after we arrived at Mr. Thompson's it broke upon us in all its fury, and continued raining in
torrents during the night. We were in a low, one story log cabin, a-bout twenty
feet square, no floor above, with a clapboard roof. Supper, to us dinner, was soont
ready. Three articles of diet only on the plain walnut table, corn-dodgers, boiled
squirrels, and sassafras tea.-E-lpicures at. the 5 o'clock table of the Astor, St.
Nicholas, Metropolitan and Revere, how do you like the bill of fare? To us it was
unixlptuois and thankfully received. Supper over, we soon turned in, and such a,
niglb.t of sweet sleep I never had before or since. The next morning our saddles
iirdi'anlkets were brought to us from the Wabash. The landlord provided us with
i,pornies, t;nl wees'et forward at full speed, arrived at Fort Wayne that night, and took,lodgings at-tile hotel of William N. Hood. In tlhe morning court mett Judge Eggle-,,ton, P)rs:'.ai.cpnt a, side judges, Thomlpson and Cushmran on the bench. Fort




CASE 0F CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE                     307
Wayne contained about two hundred inhabitants, and the County of Allen some fifty
voters. Tllere were no cases ohi docketto try of a crim-inalcharacter. Courtadjourned
erly, and we all went up the St. M.ary's river, to Chief Richardville's to see an
Indian horse race.
The nags were brought to the ground, a gray pony, about twelve hands high, and
a roan, rather larger, like Eclipse and Henry, to contest the superiority of stock
between the bands of Miamnies and Pottawattamies. Six Indians were selected as
judges-two placed at the starting point, two at the quarter stake, and two at the'oming-out place.  "Riders up —clear the track," and away they went under whip
and spur. The race over, the judges meet, the spokesman, a large Miami, says
6" lace even,' Miami grey take first quarter, Pottawattamie roan take last quarter,"
a.nd all are satisfied. In the evening the grand-jury brought in a bill against Elisha
B. Harris far stealing an Indian: pony. Judge Eggleston.-" Any more business
before you, Mr. Foreman? "  Gen. Tipton.-'" None sir."  "You are discharged.".JUDGE EGGLESTrON.-'"  here is but one case on the docketfor trial, an appeal case,
damages claimed five dollars. I feel quite tired, and willbe obliged to my associates
to try the case." Judge Cushman.-"Certainly."  The case was called., Henry
Cooper for the plaintiff, and,lIiram Brown for the defendant. Case submitted to the
Court. The action was for damages, five dollars claimed, for killing the plaintiff's
dog. The witness swore that he saw the defendant running with his rifle across his
yard; saw him lay it on the fence; saw the smoke; heard the crack; saw the dog
fal; went to where the dog lay, and saw the bullet-hole just behind the fore leg.
Here Cooper rested with a triumphant air, and indeed, to a common eye, the case
seemed beyond hope, but to the mind of the skillful advocate, capable of drawing the
distinction between positive and circumstantial evidence, a different conclusion was
come to.-Breckenridge's Miscellanies, and Phillip's Evidence, stating the danger
of listening to circumstantial evidence, and enumerating many lamentable cases of
convictions and executions for murder upon circumstantial evidence, when the conv;icts were afterwards proved to be entirely innocent, had been owidely circulated
and extensively read by courts and lawyers until the tendency of the courts was to
reject circumstantial evidence. My friend, Mr. Brown, e.n ingenious attorney, of
ine talents, and, by the way, rather Waggish, said: "A single question, Mr. Witness-Can yto swear you saw the bullet hit the clog!"  " I can swear no such thing."?
" That's all, Mr. Cooper; a case of mere eircumstantial evidence, your Honors,"
Cooper's countenance fell;, defeat stared him in the face; the case was submitted to
the Court without further, evidence. Judge Cushmlan.-" This is a plain case of
circumstantial evidence. Judgment for the defendant." Cooper, with great indignation, with his eye upon Brown:-"When I die I wish it engraved upon my tombstone,
heret lies Henry Cooper-an honest man."  Brown, rising as q'uick as thought:
"Pope says an honest man is the noblest work of God. There have been Atheists
in this woerlcd-DBolingbroke of England,Voltaire of France, and Tom Paine of Ameri —
ca, with a host of other infidel writers who may be named: they have all done noth-in against thme Almighty. But let fHenry Cooper be held up in the mid heavens, by
o,n angel, for the whole race of man to look upon; and let Gabriel, with his trumpet,
a-nnounce to gazing worlds, this is god's noblest vorok, anld all the human race would
become Atheists in a d'ay."  We retIrned'to Winchester on ourborrowed ponies, took
our horses that had been brought from Defiance, and reached the Wayne Circuit
Court in good time.
At the expiration of MIr. Smiths term, iXn 1828, Hon. John Test,
then, of Brookville, Ind., was elected from the same district, for the
term  of 1229-30,. and was succeeded by Jonathan McCartyr" of Fort
Wayne; the latter taking his seat in 1 831.
MIr.'IWorth, of l  uRndolph county, was elected State Senator, and
Anthony L. Davis, of Allen,. Representative, in 1 829, during which
year the counties of Allen, Randolph and Delaware, including also
the:territory  north thereof, was'formed into a senatorial district;
while Allen, Cass, Rlandolph, and Delaware were organized into a
tMr. MeCarty hd previously been receiver of public money at the land office here,
at which time Co'ptai Ro.e,rt'Brackenmidge was8 egitr iun..ad o. ee,




308                  BlISTORY-OF FORT IWAT'NSE
IRepresent altive District. In 1830,- MLt  Worth was again elected
a Senator, and Joseph Holman cosn     e  a Representative from   the
obreeooino  district, at whiche session Allen, Randolph, St. Joselph
Elkhart aind Delawae were formed into a senatorial district firomL
which, in the following' year, (1831,) tMr. Voth was again elected
State Senator, and Salmuel -  anna,. from- the. district at this time
iorlimeid out of Alien, Elkhart and St. Joseph,: was chosen a  cepresantative. The following year, (1832,) Samel Halna, of Alen
count', was selected State Senator, and Geo rge C rawford, of Elkhatrt, Representative.    The follovwinog yeari lir.. H-nna was re-elected Senator, and David H, Colerickr,.Esq., chosen Representativeo
"ihe  Board of' Justices' having, in 189, been changed to that
of " tCountly Board of Coimmissioners:, coonsisting of James -iolma, mWm-.. Casv well, and1 N. Coleman, on the 29th of September of
this year, ithaving been previously presented that two-tirds of the 
ctizens of J    or lt Wayne weere in f vor o  incorporatiing the place,
the County Cormissioners ordered an election of Trustees, the
tollowTin  gentleimen being' chosen there for: John S. Archer, W
G4. Ewino,  ull Ihtlana, Dr. L, G. Thompson and John P. liedics,:
ln the mouth    of November followino      the first meetinog of this
Board took place.
By an act of Coniress of M1ay 31st, 1830, the associate judges of
Al.Xen county were authorized to enter some twenty acres of land
off the west side of: the fort reserve, at $1.25 p er acre, wh ic wrhas
complied with aind patented to thenm    March. 31st, 1831. HIavinL'
previously been transferred to the agent, and fior the use off Allen
county, by order of the County Board, these twenty acres Twere laid
of, )iatted, and filed Neov. 3d, 1830, and designatecd"  County i additiont.
The remains of the fort reservation, by an act of Congr'ess, was
set apart for tle benefit of the canal, a1ndt with other public lands,
at Logansport, Ind., was subsequenty offered at public auction, and
purchased by Cyr us Taber, who, April 15th,11835, portioned it off
into orty lots, which have since been known as    Taber's Additiono',
-At this period there were but 252 males, over 21 years of age, in Allen county.
~r The wilter of this year, (1831,) was a most relmarkable one. As early as the latter
part of November, snow began to fall, and continued to lie upon the groulnd uitil the
middle of March following; and the settlers, d(uring this long season of snow, Aith
their roughiv-constructed pole " jumpers," togetaher vith frolicking up:on the ice of the
djacient stlreams, sought to, and did. enjoy t1henlSelvces most fre.ly and h-appily. So in.
tenise, iluch of the time, was the cold and great the depth of the snow'during this
oltg' wintir, that -though the settlers suffered but little from lack of food, tand tie geineral ne-ee-sari.es of life —-the animals of tit forest were brouoght to the greatest hunger;
andc the wolves, of which there werTe still vast. numbiers throaughout the northwest, aind
WriLclh only disappearedl from the country, as the red man receded -wvere bsrought to
such a state of hunger, t.hat their fierce howlings were nightly- heard by the citizens
of thel lace; and it w aslong unlusafe for' the settletrs to venture far beyond the limits of
to ton. The IndiansL  al3so suer ed grtealtly this wintelr  r for food, and seeral of thelm.
\wer7e liilled and eaten by tVie waolves. So' redued were the Indians, in soime instalilces,,hthat tL.^yT. cually ate( dead earrions that hIad lain uplon the grotlld -lor mon rtlhs. What
was n1,.t19 })e iiir with the wolves, during thi; long winter, which exhibited lartg'ely
tie native instint of ct-i a;1nim al, they woutld never mat.ie a direct attack upon man or
beabat, unUtcns huira numta'; ^wero suffiientto insure their sueC,s.




SUCCESSION OF JUDGES.                 30 9
Previous to 1825, the associate judges of the different counties
in the State also exercised probate jurisdiction,. the clerk thereof
acting also as clerk of the Circuit Court, while the sheriff acted for
both.
It wfvas in this year, (il825,).November 14h tha that e organization
of the first Court for Probate:purposes occurred, which met at the
Old Washington HIall, and was presided- over by Samuel IHanna
and Benjamin Cushmari.
On the 23cl of.May, (1825,) in:a small book, some six inches
spuar.e' the. first.entry of letters of administratioLn.was made.
The next term of this court, February 12th, 18216, was opened at
the residence of'Alexander Ewin., and closed at that of Wm Suttenfield. The third term, Auglust 13th, 1826, wa s presid;ed ovei by
Jud0e lianna and W.'N. liood, A. L..Davis, Esq., acting as clerk.
At the tertn of 1828, Miay- 5th, Samuel Ha'inna, executor of A. Burnett, received the first order for the sale of' land made to him. This
sale consisted of two seetiomns reserved to Burnett at the Indian treaty of 1826-one lyin? atV Winnemac prairie, on the: northwest side of
the Wabash, andi the other just opposite the *mouth of Deep Creek,
or what is now Delphi, in Carroll county, Ind. At the next term,
Nov. 1828,' "letters of administration?" were issued to Joseph iolman, upon tlie estate of the then late principal war chief of the
Miamies, known as La Gro'ss," who had previously been. poisoned
and died at the fort here, near whiech he was buried. La Gross had_
exercised a very conspicious part amnong the Indians here as early as 17t't, and was esteemed as a verytgood man.
At the next term1 oftihe Priobate' Court. BlMay 8d, 1830,'W. G. Ewing: persided as Juidge,'havino previoiisly been commissionled toi
serve in this! capacity for seven' yyears,' fros m September 10th, 1829,
the duties of which office lie is said to have discehar'ed with'nmalrie
Tbrility, till 1833, when' ie resigned  in' favor of - Hi;h B.
MecOlloch, who became o  is successor, also to h1od ithe onfice f::
seven years, from Juir  7h, 1834; but Mr.'MCnlloch resigned the
position after one session, in 1835, to take chIarge of the'Brancbh oc
the State'B:Lnk of Indiana; after Wuhich, Governor Noble appointe- c
Thomas Johnson to fill the vacauncy of dr. Mcunilocnh.  ir., Joh.nson presided as Pro1bat  ide Jde until Aui. st, 1 836, when, by x eneral election, Luc-ien P. Ferry t was co'mmissioned to diseh.l- re t hie
duties of the office for seren years, from 5th of October, 1S38, but,
having resiInedl, he was slperseded,  February 10thl, 184, by
* It hws after this chief tlhat the tovn of La Gross, in Wabash counlty, in this State,,was nam.ed.
a  Duming' Septemnber, 184s3, MIt. Ferry, accompaniedlhy Thomas Joh nson, iesq., said
to  s ve be en a very estimable san a nd  a g'c)lo citizen, returnini   late on:e e\enin, 
fr!om Bluffton, Wells county, in this St:te, whither they'had been on court busines',
t     he nilht overtook them, anli a heavy r;in co0 ing1  u, tlhey mistok thei way, anld'';ti
very xwet, from  the eff ets of whiclh  Ir. Jolnson died tA-ro days afterp.l?.Prr, 3wh o
also  bore the reputation of a most intelligent and -worthy citizen, died in August  of tlo c
f ollowing yela, 1t844 at the age of thirt;y-throe, Judgo George Johinson ete-n6ctl d  s i,




310               HISTORY OiT FOET WAYNE.
Reuben J. Dawson. Mr. Dawson continued but a few months, and
was followed by Samuel Stophlet, November 9th, 1840, who held
the position till 1844, when, resigning, he was followed by George
Johnson, appointed by Governor Whitcomb, who held the position
till the period of election, in August, 1844, when he was elected
to the office, and held the judgeship till 1847, when he resigned,
and was succeeded by Nelson McLain, April 12th, 1847, who was
appointed to this position, but in the following August was elected.
to the office, and held the position until this court was abolished
by provisions of the new constitution of 1853, when Hon. James
W. Borden was elected Judge of what is now the District Court of
Common Pleas, embracing Allen, Adams, Wells and Iuntington
counties, with probate jurisdiction, whose first term began Novenmber 3d, 1853. Since this period, the Courts have undergone no
special change. In the early part of 1867, a Criminal Court was
created here, to preside over which, in the month of April, of this
year, Governor Baker appointed Hon. James H. Fay, Judge, R.
S. Taylor, Prosecuting Attorney; and in the month of October
following, by election, FHon. J. W. Borden assumed the judgeship
of this court.
Of marriage records, previous to October, 1834, there had been
no record of marriage licenses presented here, nor any return made
of the solemnization thereof in the county of Allen. Up to 1824,
while what is now Allen county still formed a part of Randolph, all
such licenses had to be procured at the Clerk's office in Winchester, the county-seat of Randolph.
The first record of marriage here, occurring in 1834, was that
of George Withmer to Eleanor Troutner. For some years prior to
the issue o.f this first license here, it was a custom for officers of
the army to solemnize marriage without license; some were also
married upon license issued from the Clerk's office in Miami county, Ohio; while others were procured at Vincennes, in Knox
county, Indiana; and many came together and lived very agreeable without any license at all.
most worthy and intelligent young man, while attending a`course of theological studies
at Gambier Ohio, in December, 1850, lost his life by the accidental discharge of a gun.




CHAPTER XXVII
Still moving -forward-onward ever I
-i  X     ii        i s6 -A   *' "The four first acts already past,
The fifth shall close the drama with tlhe day 
Time's noblest offspring is her last."
-0The first court —house —Treasurer's, Auditor's, Clerk's, and Recorder's offices-The old
jail —The present court-house-Post office and post-masters-Mails —The old pond
-Shawan-oe run —An incident-Sketch of Chief lRichardville-The old sand-hill
— Exhumation of Indian bones and relics-Steady improvement of the placePopulation at different periods —Recollections of an early resident-Commanding
position of the place —Roads —Buildings —General business —Manufacturing interests —The World's future great commercial city-Railroad interests-Arrival of
the first locomotive —First printing office —Names and nunmber of papers now
published in Fort Wayne —Churches and educational relations-The Future.
-0— HE FIRST edifice erected for court and general public pl'( poses,was a two-story brick building, built by S. Edsall, in 1847.
This edifice stood upon the site of the present substantial
court building.     The original court building was of slender
build, and after a few years use, it became evident that its
longer occupancy would be attended with danger, and a one-story
building was subsequently erected;on the      south-east corner of
court-square, with a side-room for jury and other purposes fronting
on Berry street, which was also torn down a few      years after its
erection.  At the time of the occupancy and use of this building, the Treasurer's and Auditor's offices were in a'small edifice
on the   northeast corner of court-square; the Clerk's office on
the northwest corner; and the Recorders office       on the southwest corner of the same.
At the time of the erection and during the occupancy and use of
the first court house, built by Mr. Edsall, the old county jail still
stood on the southwest corner of the square.      This old building
was destroyed by fire in 1847.'
During the period intervening between the destruction of the
one-story brick court-house, on thel southeast corner of the square,.and the erection of the present substantial and commanding edifice




312             HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
in 1861, court was held in Colerick's Hall, on Coluimbia street. The
cost of the present edifice was over 80.000. Its corner-stone was
laid with Masonic honors, in.861, and bears the following inscription on the northeast corner of the buildino:
" OEN   STONE, laid with Masonic ceremonies, May 1, A. D. 1 861,
A. L. 5861, by Sol. D. Bayless, P. G. M. Michael Crow, John
Shafer, and Isaac Hall, County Commissioners. Contractors: S.
Edsall and V. M. lKimiball. Designed by Ed win May. Superintendent, Samuel McElfatrick. Builder, D. J. Silver."
Its architecture is a combination of Doric, Corinthian, etc. On
the north side of the building appears the figure of General Wayne,
on the west side, the figure of Washington, both in colonial uniform. In the general court-room, on either side of the judge's
stand, are the figures of Columbus and the goddess of Liberty, in
fresco.
As the postoffice is always an institution of interest and importance in every place, a little account of the establishment of postal
relations in Fort Wayne will not be out of place here.
The first post master of the place, was the late Judge IHanna.
He kept the office in his store, on Columbia street, near where Colerick's Hall now stands. The next postmaster was Henry Rudisill,
father of th- present County Auditor, H. J. ludisill, Esq., who
kept the office in a frame building, on the north side of Columbia
street, between Calhoun and Clinton, near the place now occupied
by Ash & McCulloch's hardware store. Mr. Rudisill was followed
by Oliver Fairfield, (brother of Captain Asa Fairfield,) and Smallwood Noel, who kept the office in the same place till the appointment of Wm. Stewart,Esq., in 1845, when Mir. Stewart took it to
his own lot, on Calhoun street, where his present building stands,
in place of which was then a frame building, about 25 feet square.
In 1849, Samuel Stophlet, Esq., succeeded Mr. Stewart, and took
the office further down Calhoun street, to a frame building, near
where Kline & Marsh's shoe store now stands, where he kept it
till the burning of the Phoenix Block, on the opposite side of the
street, when it was removed to the site now occupied by the drug
store of Gratigny & Bro., corner of Main and Calhoun streets.
Jno. G. Maier, Esq., followed Mr. Stophlet, in 1853, and held the
office during the administrations of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, keeping it first on the south side of Columbia near Clinton, and
afterwards on Clinton street, near where the Mayor's office now is.
In 1861,M. Drake, Esq.,the present incumbent, received the appointment, still keeping the office for a time on Clinton street; then
removing it to Robinson's block, on Harrison street, and subsequently to its present locality, on Court street, opposite the courthouse, which is considered one of the best arranged post offices in
the western country.
The first regular mails began in 1822-3, which were brought here
on horseback, from  Maumee and Piqua, Ohio. Prior to that




THE OLD POND-SrHAWANOE RUN —AN INCIDENT.        313
period, the news reached here, only through private and special
messengers. The mlail carriers usually had to camp out one nilht
on the road from Piqua and Maumee, and made the trips regularly,
not unfreqfiently coming thirogh, however, with empty mail bags.
The mail matter of Chicago often came byway of Fort W\ayne,
and it is remembered, that, for one trip, it was carried afoot, by Mr.
Bird, a farmer, still living a few miles from Fort Wayne. After
the opening of canal navigation, the Maumee mail was transferred
to the packets, other mails still being' carried by horses, and
subsequently by stages, until the completion of the railroad from
Pittsburgh to this point; and notwithstanding'the march in railroads, &c., a few stage lines still continue to reach Fort Wayne
from interior points.
It may here be interesting  for the reader to know   that
just east of the court-house, about half a square, at a former period
there was to be seen a large pond, extending fiom what is now the
residence of Mr. Bowser, on Berry street, past the rear of Peter
isers store to where now stands the store rooms of Messrs. Townley, DeWald, Bond. & Co., corner of Calhoun and Columbia
streets. ilMany of the early settlers frequently caught fish out of
this pond. A little brook, the remains of which is still to be seen,
just north of the canal, opposite the Robinson block, meandered
to the west of this pond, and just north of the court house, extendingaround the same and runningo through what is now the alley-way immediately west of and opposite the court-house, thence to about the
recr of the Berry street M. E. Church, and across Harrison, thence
towards the St. Mary's. At the point about where the Berry
street M... Church is, it was some four or five feet deep, and was
a favorite fishing place. This little stream was known as " Shaswanoe Run,5 so called from an incident that occurred many years
ago near its banks, at a point about half-way between what
is now Harrison and Calhoun streets, the general surface of the
locality, at that period being covered mainly with small trees,
hazle-bushes, etc.; and where the Indians were much accustomed
to idle about. On one occasion, a Shawanoe was asked by a Miamie to take a drink at the point referred to, to which the fiormer
readily assented, and as he proceded to do so, the Miamie plungedt
a knife into his breast, killing him on the spot. The deed was a
barbarous and most treacherous one, at best; and it was not, long
before the Shawanoes-quite a large body of whom then resided a
short distance to the southeast of Fort Wayne-were made acquainted with the revengeful procedure of. the Miamie in killing their
brother; and each and all were alike maddened at the event. The
spirit of the slain member of their tribe was to be revenged ere he
could be appeased, or presents sufficient to cover np the grave of the
murdered warrior were to be proffered and accepted, before the
living members of the clan could feel any sense of forgiveness
towards the murderer and his tribe; and two days after the event




~8 1                 HISTORY OF FORT WxAYNE.
came a considerable body of Shawanoes to the place, all painted
and armed for a bloody conflict with the opposite tribe.       And they
are said to have presented a most ferocious and. determined appearance, as they halted upon a little rise at what is now the corner of
Washington and Clinton streets.
The matter had now become serious.        The Shawanoes had come
to settle the affair-to revenge the murder of their brother-and
the Miamies knew at once that the case had to be niet. Nothing
short of "an eye for an eye," or an adjustment of some kind,
would serve to quell or reconcile the determined will of the painted Shawanoes.      Accordingly, Chief Richardville/ of the Miamies,;' With the birth-place of this distinguished chief, as referred to on page 22,
Chapter II, in connection with the " old apple-tree," tle reader is already familiar.
His father, Druet de Rlichardville, was a.French trader here for some years before
and after the fated expedition of La Balme, in 1780. Among the many thrilling
and interesting incidents and narrations, as frequently recited by the chief to the
late Allen Hamilton, he gave, some years ago, an account of his ascendency to the
chieftainship of his tribe. The occasion was not only thrilling and hIeroic, but, on
the part of his famous mother and himseif, will ever stand in history as one of
the noblest and most humane acts known to any people, and would serve as a theme,
both grand and eloquent, for the most gifted poet or dramatist of any land.
It was a wild, barbarous moment, now more than eighty years, ago. Ke-ki- ong-a
still occasionally echoed with the shrieks and groans of captive men;;and the young
warriors of the region still,rejoiced in the barbaric custom of burning prisoners at
the stake —a custom long in vogue with the Indians here. A white man had been
captured and brought in by the warriors. A council had been convened, in which
the question of his fate arose in debate and was soon settled. He was to be burned
at the stake, and the braves and villagers generally were soon gathered about the
scene of torture, making the very air to resound with their vociferations and triumphant shouts of pleasure and gratification at the prospect of soon enjoying another
hour of fiendish merriment at the expense of a poor, miserable victim of torture.
Already the man was lashed to the stake, and the torch that was to ignite the cumbustible material placed about the same and the victim of torture, w7as in the hands
of the brave appointed to create the flame that was so soon to consume the victim
of their cruelty. But the spirit of rescue was at hand. The maln was destined to
be saved from the terrible fate that surrounded him!
Young Richardville had for snome time been singled out as the     future
chief of the tribe, and his heroic mother sawv in this a propitious and glorious mo.
ment for the assertion of his chieftainship, by an act of great daring and bravery,
in the rescue of the prisoner at the stake. All eyes were now fixed upon the captive.
Young Richardville and his mother were some distance from the general scene, but
sufficiently near to see the movements of the actors in the tragedy about to be enacted, nnd could plainly hear the coarse ejaculations and mingled shouts of triumph
of the crowd. At that moment, just as the torch was about to be applied to the
bark, as if touched by some angelic impulse of love and pity for the poor captive,
the mother of young ERichardville placed a knife in her son's hand, and bade him
assert his chieftainship by the rescue of the prisoner. The magnetic force of the
mother seemed instantly to have convulsed and inspired the young warrior, and he
quickly bounded away to the scene, broke through the wild crowd, cut the cords
that bound the man, and bid.him be free! All was astonishment and surprise; and
though by no means pleased at the loss of their prize, yet the young man, their
favorite, for his heroic and daring conduct, was at once esteemed'a god by the crowd,
and then and thereafter became a chief of the first distinction and honor in the
tribe!
The thoughtful and heroic mother of Richaerdville now took the man in charge,
aInd soon quietly placing him in a canoe and coveringt him with hides and peltries,
in charge of soze friendly Indians, he was soon glicling safely dlown the placid current of the Maunmee, beyond the scene of the turbulent warriors and villagers of
e-.ki-ong-a. The rescue was complete.




SKETC-.:OF CHIE' RICOIAREDYVILLE.                   315
was at once called upon by the members of his tribe to adjust and
reconcile the matter, which was only accomplished after a lengthy
council between the tribes, wherein the ShawanLoes finally agreed.
to a reconciliation     upon   the proffer and     gift of several head of
horses, and a quantity of trinkets and goods of various kinds.           And
thus the matter ended-and it wtas out of this incident-fierce and
At a later period in the life of the chief, some years subsequent to this event, be.ing on his way to Washington City, he came to a town in Ohio, where, stopping for a
little while,, a man came up to him, and suddenly recognizing in the stranger
the-countenance of his benefactor and deliverer of years before, threw his arm~s
about the chief's neck, and embraced him with all the warmth of filial affection and
gratitude! He was indeed the rescued prisoner; and the meeting between the
chief and the man was one of mingled pleasure and surprise.
In stature, the chief was about five feet ten inches, with broad shoulders, and weighed
about one hundred and eighty pounds. His personal appearance was attractive; graceful in carriage and manner; and bore all the inarks of a " finished gentleman."  Exempt
from any expression of levity —-a simple child of nature —-he is said to have "preserved
his dignity under all circumstances."  His eyes were of a lightish blue, and slightly
protruding —- hisi upper lip firmly pressed upon his teeth, and the ulnder one slightly
projecting. His nose was roman, snd the whole contour of his face was classic and attractive."
From the recollections of David I. Colerick, Esq., long intimate with the chief, and
who served as his attorney, transacting much of his business for many years here, Richardville was computed the wisest and most sagacious chief of all the Indians of the
entire northwest; and "was the successful head and'ruler of the Mianie tribe for more
than fifty years before and to the time of his death," in 1841.
His mother was a most remarkable woman. Her Indian name was Tau-cum-wa.
Chief Richardville was an only son, and much beloved by her. Her reign as chiefess
of the tribe, continued for a period of some thirty years, prior to the war of 1812,
during which time, according to the traditions of the Indians, "she ruled the tribe
with a sway, power, and success as woman never ruled before."  After her reign, "shea
retired and passed the mace of power to her son," John B. Richardville, whose Indian
name was Pe-she-wa (or Wild Cat,) by which he was always called by his people, and
thus signed it at all the treaties he attended, to transact business for the tribe or tribes
of which he was the representative or head. With a mind somewhat massive, a rather
close observer, and apt in his business transactions, he was always extremely careful in
what he undertook. A most patient listener, his reticense often almost assumed the
form of extreme indifference; yet such was far from his nature, for he ever execised the
swa rmest and most attentive regard for all of his people and mankind in general; and
the needy never called in vain —his kind and charitable hand was never withheld
from the.distressed of his own people or from the stranger; and he was beloved and
esteemed. by all who knew him."
So well and wisely did he manage the affairs of his tribe —-with such wisdom and
moderation did he adjust and settle all matters relating to his people-that he was not
only held in the highest estimation by the Indians generally, throughout the northwest,
but " honored and trusted as their law-giver with the most unsuspecting confidence
and implicit obedience" —-always adjusting afairs between his own people, as well as
all inter-tribal relations, without resort to bloodshed. A patient and attentive listener
-— prudent and deliberate in his action —— rwhen once his conclusions and determination
were formed, "he rarely had occasion to change them." "Averse to bloodshed, except
against armed resistance, he was ever the strong and consistent friend of peace and
good-will.
Many were the vivid recollections he gave, years ago, to early settlers here. At the
time of Harmar's movements and defeat at this point, lie was a boy of some ten or
twelve years of age. But his recollection of the way the Indians stole along the bank
of the river, near to the point, long since known as " Harmar's ford," were most thrilling. Not a man among the Indians, said he, was to fire a gun until the white warriors under Harmar had gained the stream, and were about to cross.'Then tlie red men
in the bushes, with rifles levelled and ready for action, just as the detachment of Harmar began to near the centre of the Maumnee, opened a sudden and deadly fire upon
them; and horses and riders fell in the stream, one upon the other, until the river was
literally strewnt from ]banl to bank with the slain, both horses and ien; and the water
ran dark with the blood of the slain 




316                     -IISTOPLY OF FOPtT WAYNE,
thrilling to those   who remember* it —that grew the name of this
little run.
In the extreme west end of the city there was formerly an extensive bluff  perhaps some fifteen        or sixteen   feet higher than any
other point within the present limits of Fort Wayne, which covered
origina.lly some two squares.       It was, indeed, an immense sand
heap.    Whien, and     how    long  accumulating, the       ages alone can
determine.     The sand is of a rather fine quality, and         much of it
has served weli, doubtless, for lmortar, in buildcing and other purposes.    It extended from    Wayne street, fronting and within a few'
y-ards of the college, towards the river, a short distance belovw
Berry   street, and    eastward perhaps about a square; somewhat
sloping in its general character.         Its highest point was at about
the present terminus of Berry street. Over this knoll there extended but little vegetative life; a few indifferent bushes here and there
over it and about its margin, formed, perhaps, the principal part of
its productive    growth, as is usually       the  case with sandy points.
-eAmong whom is D. H. Colerick, Esq., from whose recollections this account is given.' There seemed, in the settling of this section of the country," says, Mr. Colerick
" a rivalry between the settlers and the ]ndia-ns, as to who should tender the chief the
hiehest respect, for all.:admired who knew h m."
At the treaty of St. maary's, in 1818, a reserve of three sections of land was made to
him, principall.y locatied some foul or five miles from Fort, Wayne, up the St. Mary's
river, w hich, since his death, have been in the hands and keeping of his descendants,
" and now owned and occupied by Archonge, (daughter of La Bloine, the first daughter of the chief,) wife of James RG. Godfri, whose interesting flmily, wvith some tliree or
four other persons, relatives of the same, living near, now constitute the only remnants
of the once power'uil Miamie tribe in this part of their old stron g hold, eacl'and all of
-whom have long sinice assumed the garb of civilization, and not only cultivate the arts;
of peace, but live upon, and annually and successfully till one of the finest bodies of
land to be foundl in the northwest.
It was an arcient customi with the Indians never to council during cloudy w eather.
Open dla, and a sun-light unobscured by the fiownns of lowering clouds, werere the only
guarantees of a. successful council among tlhem. In 1832, at a treaty appointed to be
held at the forks of the Wabash —-where it is said the Government, throughll  its agents,
not only splent vast suIms of money, but fed thee India'ns most sumlptuously for somne
days, (It'iclh laetter was a great source of pleasure and ipide to tie red men theni and
tlerte assenmbled, for they always liked the white man's fare, canid ate most
lavishly of it, whenever occasion offer'.dc) —-the principal agent of the treaty, through
}iis interpreter, requested a council of the tribes on a certain day, and i)ad assermbled a:
lnumcber of tihe principall chiefs lresent, to make known thle desi re. Havinl concluded
lis remarks, whtich were princilally ad ldressed to chief Richardvillle. as tle main representative of the tribes present, the chief, in an unusually dig:nified and resolute lmaniaer, arose to respond. Th'e red men, said ie. never council' when the' great Spirit
frowns. Already lie has shut his face from view, and dark clouds are spread over our
heads. When he shall smile againi, and the sun begin to allumine the eartlt, then will.we council
No couneil was therefore convened; and the Indians are said to have continued to
fare mrost sumptuously, cmuch to their liking, for several days loanger, on the choice food
set before them, at thii expensive gathering of the tribes, under the auspices of the
United States Govermilenit.
Suclh was the famous chief — such weas Johnl B. Richatrdville, (Pe-she-wa,) for so m any
yetlrs the head andc ruler of the Minamies of this ever mermorable and ancient stronglhold of Indian life in the northwest;t and to-day, in the Catholic cemetery, jilston the
confines of lhis bi1rth-ip lace and early associations, is to be seen at any tinec. by the visitant to tliis city of the dead, a neat and implosing mrarble shlaft. upon whTich may be
clearly read, bollth when the sun shines and the clouds lower, the name of JoNs B13. RIGlARzDVmILLE, the beoved and f,amous chief of the Mia-mies.




POPULATNION ADIT DIFFERENT PERIOD S           31T
The Indians are said to have had some huts upon it, some years ago.
In removino this great sand. heap, as in dioging at other points,
within the present limits of Fort WVayne, the Indians lhaving deposited their dead here and there, many bones and skulls were
exhumed and removed. On one occasion, some workmen thus
engaged., among many otihers, dug up a most remarkable skull
-wil high forehead and general formation extremely large-indicating a giant form to the possessor.:~
Somew hat to the south of this once great sand-hill, where there
were also some open points, the Indians, for many years, cultivated
small patches of corn and other products.
Since the incorporation of the f Town of Fort Wayne," in 1.825,
when the principal cdiices swere " substantial log buildings," there
has been a steady improvement and increase of populaiton. More
especially, during tie last twenty years, has the place advanced in
material wvealth and general improvement.
The estimated population of the place and vicinity, in 12i8,
was about 500. Two years later, 183)0, it had reached about 800;
and in 1840, about 200; in 185), about 4 200; in 18G(, 10.300,
while, at the present period, subburbial portions included,. it has
reached a population of upwards 29.000; and its material growth
in building, minanufacture, and generai-  commercial pursuits, has
kept pace with the'advance in population.
A iortme 1resident of Fort Wayne, who visited the scenes of his
boyhoocl, during 1867, thus writes:
Nearly a third of a century ago, when the writer, then a boy,.
was residinr half a mile from Fort Wayne, the piace was known
abroad chiefly as being the site of the fort, which gives it a part of
its name, and as one of the villages on the line of the canal. Colurmbia street monopolized the business, being the focus of the
village trade.  T'he only church thlen built was the old Presbyteri
an, now an unsightly wreck.  Vhllen the act of secession occurred,
and the church became divided into Old School and New School,.
the court house served as a place of worship for the latter.
" By the laws cormmon to humanity, most of those who were
prominent in business at that day have since passed away, and
their places have been filled by another generation. A few still
remain, howsever, and I have had the pleasure of meeting and con-A Mr. Daniel Kiser, some eighteen or tw;enty years ago, on the Cole farm, dug up the
remains of an Indian woman, and also found in the grave a silver cup, a number of
brooches, and a snuff box, on. which was the portrait of TWmi. Penn —-the figYure of an
ordinary quill-len being located near the portrait, as expressive of the name of this old
Qualke philanthropist.
NMr. Charles M. Wells, also, some seventeen years ago, dug up a number of Indian
bones-seemingly a man and woman. On the breast of the vwoman wvere a number of
c ar-drops, broochles and crosses. A beautiful piece of ribbon was also found near the
ear-drops, &c., wvich seemed to have retained all its primitive elasticity and beauty, until touched, when it instantly crumbled to dust. A little son of N. P.
Stockiridge, Esq., some months, since, among a number of other Indian relics, folund
two little Indian bells. 2Many flints, tomahawks, &e., have also been dug up at different
tinles during the past few years HIow long, many of th ese bone and relics have thus
b'neea conea:led ii th!. e'tlm none daa tMIlL




318              HISTORY orF FoRT WAY~ E.
versing' with several of the Cold residents.9  Two teachers who
taught mvy young ideas I ]how to shoot,' a third of a century ago,
are still residents of this- city. The schools were then taught in
the basement of the Presbyterian Church above referred to, and in
a little brick building, located about where the ja;il stands. The
former was then at the eastern extremne of the village, while the
latter was beyond the western extreme. The Old Fort was then in
the suburbs.
6 During the interval of a third of a century the writer has visited Fort Wayne several times, and has been glad to notice, of
late years, so commendable a spirit of enterprise exhibited by her
business nmen. Without any natural advantages, the city has been
and must be the architect of her own fortunes. That truly liberal
and far-seeing policy which sacrifices the present for the future,
and builds lines of railroads into and through new, thinly settled
regions, will yet, I think, make Fort Wayne one of the foremost
manufacturing cities of the West., If the last few years have done
much, the net fewyearsmay be madeto do fr     orefor the growth
and material prosperity of the place. Your numerous churches
and.your seats of learning: show that the moral and intellectual.
advancement of your city have been cared for; and it is to be hoped
that Fort Wayne will become celebrated for-law and order,' as well
as for the enterprise and liberal spirit of its business men. I do
not here allude to events of recent occurrence. With these- I have
nothing to do. I only claim., as one, a portion of whose boyhood
was passed here, to feel a friendly interest in the growth and welfare of your city. Peace be within its walls, and prosperity wityhin
her gates.'     *    Show the outside world that Fort Wayne
is up to all the requirements of the age in educational facilities;
expend mloney liberally in Nicholson pavements; encourage the
new lines of railroads by every private and public means; ornament and improve your piublic grounds and private residences, and
in the next decade you may challenge comparison with any city in
our borders. As a peemacnent busincess investnment eligible lots
are worth more, foot for foot, than in any city in Indiana."`'n
" The causes that produced this rapid growth,9 says Mr. Williams,
are apparent. The commanding situation of the town, in the centre
of a large and fertile scope of country that sought this point for
trade, with no competing town and the facilities for export and
import, were important elements in its growth. The facilities for
this conumerce, resulted from the important internal improvements
constructed so as to make this an'important point on their routes."?-' Fort Wayne Gazette, April 4th, 1867.
T Referring to the canal and railroads.' By aiLording the means of shipping direct
to the lake," says the same writer, "the canal drew the trade of a large region of country, north and south, immediately to this point. The water power resulting. fromr this
improvmennt, furnished facilities for the erection of mills and manufactories that wvere
a great importance in its progress; and from this period it took a new start, and this
iiDpetus continued tillthe era of platnmk oads, in 1848. These roads," says he,'were constructed with much energy and rapidity to a great distance in every direction, attracting an ilcreased trade flomn a large and fertile section of country."




TIIE WORLGLD  FUTurEi GREAT OOMMERCIAL CLTY.            319
During 1867, up wards of 200 dwellings, handsome and commodious storehouses, and other edifices, were built.
The general business relations of the city of Fort Wayne, at the
present period, are of the first order; and it may be said of the
business men of our city to-day, that they are among the most active, liberal, and enterprising of the land, with a credit and reputation for promptness unsurpassed by any place of equal size in tle
West.    Of manufactories, of different kinds, there are few cities of
similar size in the union that can equal her.   The busy wheels and
spindles of the machine shops and factories; the steady click of the
hammer.; and constant puffing of steam-pipes, at every hand,
tell how active and how    numerous-in " what a heat and what a
forge "-the hardy yeomanry-the working-men-of Fort Wayne
are employed. Such a scene of industry and civilization, could
the ancient inhabitants of Ke-ki-ong-a suddenly step in upon their old
iamiliar 1 stamping ground," would indeed " astonish the natives."
Possessing, as this locality does, the many natural advantages of
-material for building purposes; the facilities for reaching, and
nearness to, the principal markets of the country, with other important reasons and advantages, Fort Wayne-if keeping alive
within her borders those finer feelings and relations of sociality,
harmony, good-will, and fair dealing, so essential to the better
growth and prosperity of every people, town, city, and county-is
destined to become one of the most extensive and important MANUFAcTU-RING cities of the country. And there is, perhaps, no material
reason why the great central depot-the great mart of trade-of
the American Central Railruad, soon to connect California with the
East, may not at no distant period, find a seat at this point as the
most central and important of all the points yet referred to by those
who have given the matter candid and impartial consideration.'
The following list of manufacturing establishments, independ—'The thought of a " CorMNG MAN," in whose organismnwould centre, as a grand exemplary model, all the more harmonious and exhalted conditions and attributes of mental and physical life, has long attracted the attention and earnest consideration of a large
mass of the civilized world..So, also, among the more reflective and studious of mankind, has the idea of a great commercial centre on the American continent, located at
some favorable point west of the Alleglany mountains, on the great "central plain,"
lying between the seaboard on the east and California on the west, taken deep root,
beginning mainly with General Washington, De Witt Clinton, and others at an early
period of our counLtrV's history, and of late years, and perhaps never more earnestly
and thoughtfully than at the present time, has the subject been discussed and reflected upon. And still it will attract attention, until the end is attained.
Everything seems to gravitate towards a common centre. Water finds its level; and
globes and men act and re-act continually, both magnetically and imperceptibly, upon
each other, to the attainment and out-growth of the unity and better developement of
fthe human race.
Everything serves some wise end in the great economy of existence; and Commerce,
like the evolution and promulgation of the great principles and elements of science and
philosophy, in its gravitative movements from point to point over the old world, has
for ages contributed largely to this glorious " end and aim " of life —-the unity of the
lnman family- the cstablishment of a natural relationship and commnon genealogy of
the elements of the globe —organic and inorganic, as their general condition and st'ucture may appear.
Unlike p ast a'es, whlen the great centre of the commlercial world Sought to plant it



320                      HISTORY OF FORT       WVAYNE,
ent of the industrial relations of the railroad        shops, will give the
reader an extended view of the manufacturingc enterprise of Fort
Wayne and vicinity at the present period:
There are three large founderies, employing' from           forty-three to
upwards of one hundred nmen each, with an average pay-roll of
fromn  two   thousand five hundred to         eight thousand      dollars per
month, and are      unable to keep pace with         the   demand     for their
labor.
self at sone favorable point upon the sllores of the ocean, or at the mouth of some extenaive stream, flowing oceanward, or thiroughi vast regions of territory, regardless of
centralization, or nearness to the main bodly of the civilized inhabitants surrounding,
sending out, annually, vast quantities of goods and coinmmerce of various kinds through
one mighty channel, as it were, here in America, to-daly, and for years past, a great
centre is being sought, wherein and wilhiout shall flow tlle vast con-merce of the continent, and perhaps the worldl —- enetlrating in every direction to the most remote as
wIell as the nearest points of trade, by railroad and navigable water courses, with ease
and speed.
Let us for a moment look at Fort Wayne as one of the most favorable as well as most
central (in view of the vast population to the east, north and so(uth of us,) points for
the establishment of such a centre. With her railroad advantages present and prospective, the reader will already have made himself fai milialr- penetrating as they will,
n1 a few lyears more, in every direction, connecting nher, in a few hours of travel, with
every important seaboard and inland town and city on the continent —-even to California itself. The streams that centre here, including the advantages long affordled by the
Wabash and Erie canal, vith proper attention and the outlay of a few thousand dollars,
in clearing their channels, &c., may be made navigable for the llagest steambo'ats,
durinl the greater part of the year —the St. Joseph fromr Lale Michigan, and the Manmee, formed here by the junction ot the St. Mary's and St. Joseph, flowing into Lake
Erie —-thus affordin;L ready and easy transportation from the Lakes and all interior
points, to the most adlvaotaageous cenltre of trade, to all adjacent points thereto, and to
the fartherest limits bey ond, where demand shall call for supply. While, as a grain
and fruit-growing, wool-producing, ansd stock-raising' district, in a few years, with the
proper inducements for extensive scientific culture, in tle use of the best mechanical
appliances in the cultivation and chemical undersianding of the soil, in planting, reaping, mowing, etc., etc., this, with the great scope of country lying for hundreds of
miles in every direction around us, may become amocng the foremost of.hle land. Tin'tber for fire wood, manufacturing and buildinlg purposes, is to be had in great abundance, at every side; and as will alread hTave bet n soen, the material and advantages, in
other respects, for building, are inexhaustible. (See chapter I, page 2,) In point of
health, there are few sections of the country, where the masses enjoy better genlelil
health than FortWayne and Vicinlity.
Thlese, then, wiith 1masny  othle ilmpotrtant relations and advantages, that migrht be
naimed, are of the first necessity and imnportance in the building and establishment of
sucha manufacturing centre of industry and commerce; and the rapid strides that have.been ma'e here, in building and general improvement during the past few vears —the
early location here of some of the most extensive railroad shops in the west, for the
manufacture of cars, engines, etc.-p-oint most clearly, if not absolutely, to this.s the
world's, future manufactutring and cormmercial centre. And while, at the same time,
the suggestion of such a riesult may awaken a smile of disbelief in somp, yet, iln after
years, (for it will not be the growth of a day,) we may behold its fullest realization.
Let the reader note the suggeestion, and await results.
Toledo, Ohio; Chicago, 111., and Omaha, Nebraska, are already named as this great
commercial centre. it is not likely to settle down upon or gravitate towards all of
these flourishing cities; and a:s Fort Wayne, with her many rare advantages, is most
favorably located between the former, and an imTportanit point on the line of the
Great Central American Railwaay from iNew York to San Francisco, Cal., which will
touch neither Toledo or Cliicago, the chnllces are largely in our favor. To this
eni, therefore, every citizen-eve!y fariner of Allen eouniy, —by a continuous due regard for order, honesty, truthfulness and fair dealing,-the b. tter ldetvelopement of the
social, intellectual, nlanufaeturing, hortieultural, agricultl'ral and general industrial
relations of our cicy and'county, may alnd should contribite something each day
titwaird the COlnsuination of this glorious nl, " Ye know not whataye olhll ke." ThB




BUSINESS RELATIONS-MANUFACTORIES.                       321'Two extensive file manufactories; one lock factory; three large'steam   tanneries.; soap   and   candle factory; four saw      mills; four
large flooring   and dressing    mills; an extensive      woolen factory;
two   spoke and;hub factories; two shingle factories,.one boiler.factory;.three sash and door factories; one box factory<; two trunk
factories; four candy factories;, four saddle and harness manufactories; five wagon factories; three carriage factories; three undertakers and     coffin makers.; two plow      manufactories; two potash
manufactories; three cooper shops; and one large paper'mill, all
doing an extensive business, with heavy          shipments;: in some instances~ as, for east as Boston, Mass., south and west as far as New
Orleans, St. Louis, &e.
The business-showing, in other relations, is equally fair and prom
ising.   Of dry    goods, grocery      clting,     boot and   shoe, china,
hardware, tin and stove, variety, drug, book and periodical, millinrery, music, and other stores, banking houses, hotels, &c., there are
about two hundred and seventy;;some of the larger business houses
doing, an annual business of from      twenty, thirty, fifty, one hundred
and seventy-five thousand, to a quarter of a million dollars.
Among the most extensive as well as most important adjuncts
to the, general' manufacturing interest and business relations of th~
city of'!Fort Wayne, at the present period, are thosee presented' by
the Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, whichi            was commenced iti
conditions of this great superstructure are withs us.-: Let us, improve'them, and wait.
"Westward, ho! the seat of, empire takes its way!, " rang out upon the still alr of
the continent during the colonial days of our'Republi; and a steady influx of emigration-a continuous enlargement of otir agricultural domain, in clearing, etc.,,'have
now continued for upwards of sixty, years; until to-day, the west, in every material,
as well.as intellectual point of view, is mighty t'o look upon. Look, then, at her advancement, fifty years or less h'ence! She'll then, and before, demand' such''a coin
mercial and' manufacturing centre; and Fort Wayne is as likelyto be that centre —perhaps MOST likely-than any other of the. points already brought forward.
The past, in a commercial point of view, may be no special criterion for the Future.
Piresuming'that' the cit of London, Ehglanld, is now, and for years past' has'bee, the
world's great commercial centre, it is not fully'piesuimable that this centre wil, within
a few score years, shift its locality to the city of New York, and there' iest for an hundred years more, and then make its way westward. No; we shall long ere th at period build lip.anndmost'fully'e tablish ta commerciai radius in the west, and from her
ex:tensive workshops andclvwell-tilled agricultural districts, we' shall be, as'in'no small
degree, we are now, enabled to furnish the markets of the East and Europe with vast
store's of grain and other of our productive wealth.'The demand for such a centre is
already appareint; alrea dySit is beginning to grow-to show the'stro'gest signs of life',
and to present, the fullest aund' most substantial prospects of realization in future years.
Before the era of railroads, the lakes and navigable rivers were,the principal; courses
of travel and trade; biut latteliy, for some years past,'these channels have' g'reatly
diminished in importance as well as tradeand travel; though by no means.like'ly to
be lost sight of entirely in this relation, as a means of commercial intercourse, yet, so
long as the convenience and spee' of the railroad is maintained,-which is likely for
centuries to be the case, with the addition of many comforts, more safety, and greater
cheapness of travel thepeon —the navigable streams and lakes.are not likely to gain
any material ascendency in the future.: So: that it does not' necessarily follow that the
future great commercial and manufacturing city of the' globe should be located on the
shore of soime extensive lake or; river, or. at some favorable point on, the sea'board, at'either extreme of the, American continent, in order to be the more extensive and
equable in its intercourse with, and relations to, other parts of the globe.




322              HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
1854,* and completed in 1857. The Ohio and Indiana railroad.
was the first located here, which occurirec in 1852; and completed
in 1i854. In 1856, the'Ohio and' Indiana and,Fort Wayne and Chicago: roads:were consolidated with the Ohio and     Pennsylvania road, and continued thereafter to constitute the' Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne, & Chicago Railroad Company," forming' a line of some
-550 miles in length, which is unequalled in general importance and
successful business management by any road of similar length in
the United States.
Being a central point on these extensive lines, the companies
early selected this as most convenient for the location of the various machine shops necessary; for the repair of machinery and
building of rolling stock, such as cars, engines, &c. As now enlarged; and faciliated, the shops of the Pittsburgh, Fort Vayne, and
Chicago Company furnishemployment for upwards of seven hundred mechanics and laborers, with a monthly pay-roll of over
$50.000.; A.side [from these, the travel over the road and the freight
receipts, have added immensely to the general commercialinterest
and wealth of the place. And already several new lines are centering here from different points-most prominent among which,
are the Fort Wayne and Southern; the Grand Rapids and Indiana;
Cincinnati, Richmond, and Fort Wayne; while the Great American
Central Road will make this an important point in its route from
New York to San Francisco.
The total earnings of the P., Ft. W., and C. road for i866, were
$7,467,217.56. expenditures; $5,147,686.54.
The. shopsiof this road embrace a two-story brick depot, 190 feet
long, by 70 feet wide; a freight-house, 200 by 60 feet; main building of the car shop, two stories, 220 by 75 feet; with two wings,
one stpry,1 88 by 75 feet each; machine and blacksmith shops,327 by
65 feet, two stories, with two wings for engine' and. boiler shops,
each 100 by 59 feet; a round-house, 60 feet deep by 308 feet in
diameter,,'with stalls for forty'engines. A new machine shop, 340
by 120 feet,.was added;to these in 1866; by which they are enabled to build one entirely new engine per month, besides keeping
up all. repairs on the western division of the roads. When it is
necessary, one hundred freight and passenger cars can be built per
month, besides keeping up repairs on rolling stock. The average
amount of luimber, used per month, is upwards 700,000 feet, at a
cost of more than $12.000. Already further enlargements are
contemplated, and a new paint shop and foundry will soon be built,
*The first locomotive that reached Fort Wayne, came by way of the canal. in charge
of R. W. Wohlfort; and was landed near the warehouse of D. F. Comparet, Esq., June
4th, 1854. So'great was the interest and curiosity upon its arrival, that hundreds of
the citizens of Fort Wayne flocked near the place of landing to get a peep at the "iroa
horse.", Mr. W. tells maniy amusing incidents, as well as "hair breadth escapes," as
connected with his J' voyage " thither, with this first engine for the westbrn division
of this road.: At this time there was a temporary building near Mr. Comparet's warehouse, which served as a sort of "round-house "'. for the engines, and a track also extended from this point to the site of the present railroad buildings.




RAILROAD INTERESTS.                   323
The general superintendent of the western division of the P., Ft.
W., and C. R. R., C. E. Gorham, Esq., resides at Fort Wayne.
The Toledo and Western road was begun in 1854, and completed in 1856, which connects Lake Erie with the Mississippi river.
The buildings of this road embrace: a round-house, 140 feet in
diameter, with a capacity for 24 engines; a brick machine shop,
100 feet wide by 160 feet long; a blacksmith shop, 40 feet wide,
and 160 feet long; a wood shop, 30 feet wide, and 200 feet long.
There is also a passenger and freight depot. The shops of this
road, as in the foregoing, give regular employment to about 300
workmen, with a pay-roll of $20.000 per month. Length of road,
520 miles. Earnings for 1 866-$3,717,386; Expenditures for 1866,
$2,811,186; with a constant increase of business. 40.000 tickets
were sold at the Fort Wayne office of this road during the year 1866
The manufacturing interests of Fort Wayne, as the reader can
well infer, from the facts and figures thus presented, form no small
amount of interest in the general business-showing of the place,
and have attracted hither many of the most efficient and exemplary
workmen to be found in America, who receive good wages, and
not a few of whom have bought property and built themselves
neat dwellings, with a view to permanent residence in the place.
With such advantages-such a growth in manufacturing relations and facilities-what should impede the continued and rapid
progress of our city in every noble and generous point of viewevery unselfish, intelligent, and patriotic relation of life!
The year following the arrival here of the first railway engine,
in 1851, the "Fort Wayne Gas Company" was incorporated, March,
1855, and works erected, whose pipes now extend throughout the
largest portion of the city.
The first printing office established in Fort Wayne, was that of
the " Fort Wayne Sentinel," by Thomas Tigar and S. V. B. Noel,
Esqs.,'in June, 1833, and located in the old Masonic'Hall building,
which then stood on the site of Messrs. Hill & Orbison's warehouse, on'Columbia street.
At the present period, there' are two Daily papers and three
Weeklies issued in the place, viz: the Daily and Weekly Democrat,
Daily and Weekly Gazette, and a German paper, the Stiats Zeitung.
In a denominational and educational point of view, Fort Wayne
has long borne a most favorable reputation, as a church-going and
educational-loving people. Nearly every Christian denomination
has its representative here, with fifteen churches, including the
synagogue of the Hebrew denomination. Some of these edifices
*It was in the Spring of this year.(1833)that quite a large, elegant steamboat, called
the " PHENOMENON," commanded by Capt. DENIELE, and piloted by Capt. ISAAC WOODOOCK, of Antwerp, Ohio, came up the Maumee to Fort Wayne, and made a landing
just opposite where now stands the woolen factory of French, Hanna & Co.,on Water
street. On behalf of the citizens of the place, David H. Colerick, Esq., gave the Captain and all on board a most cordial welcome, and a gay party of citizens, of bot'
sexes, were soon gathered on board the vessel, who, with music, dancing, and socia4
converse, spent several hours, and till far into the night, in the most agreeable manier.




324                  HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
are most handsome in their general architectural, appearance, and
quite commodious.     In public as well as private schools, there are
few placesof equal size in America that can present a better showing in the number and regularity of pupils in attendance each week
than Fort Wayne. The reader is already familiar with the locality
and s.atus of the first school and school-house in our city, as also
the first schoolmaster. From these small beginnings, Fort Wayne
has steadily advanced, until, at the present period, there are upwards of 2000 pupils in regular attendance in the two spacious
public school buildings, known as the "East-end" and "West-end"'
with a corps of some 36 teachers, and a superintendent, whose efficiency and care in the disciplining and culture of the youthful
mind, are only equalled by their earnestness and good-nature.    Jas.
H. Smart, Esq., is the present worthy superintendent of our public
schools, and under: his supervision, for: the past three years, the
schools have arisen to a point of excellence unequalled anywhere
in the West or East.
Among the different.denominations there are also several excellent schools, which are largely attended. There is also a thriving
commercial college here, enabling the poorest to obtain a complete
commercial and business education at a very small out-lay-a rare
advantage in any place.
In a collegiate relation, aside from the commercial institute, we
have two most excellent institutions, the " Ooncordia University,"
and the " Fort Wayne College," both of which are admirably conducted and well attended.
Such is the City of Fort Wayne at the present period.      Let its
march still be onward.     Let us advance continually, not only in
things physical, but in all that pertains to the mental and spiritual
welfare of every soul within and without her, walls. Let us move
steadily on, with the Right ever in view, adding, day by day, to. the
strength and durability: of the great edifice of Truth and Progress,
in which we all hope to find an agreeable seat in that glorious
Future when the "good-time" shall have come.
NOTE'1TE HOEADER-E RRATA.-Since the main body of the work wasprinted, in
looking over the volume, I discovered a few typographical errors, which had bee'n overlooked in reading proof and by the printer in the correction of the proof-sheets; all
of which, however, will be readily comprehended by the intelligent reader. The most
important of these are as follows: In the "Sketch of the Life of General Anthony
Wayne," first pae, first line, for "not alone a valiant officer and soldier," read "not,NLY a valiant officer," &c. On page x. of same, 19th line from the top of the page, instead of "whither he soon returned," &c., read "WHENCE he soon returned," &c. In
*Chapter I, page 5, 21st line from top of page, first word, for "colonel," read col on i al.
Page 6th of same Chapter, 10th line from top of page, for" purported to have been,"
&c., read "reported to have been," &c.' Chapter XXIII, page 273, 7th line from
bottom of page, for "Lieutenants Scorgin; Bell," &c., read " Lieutenants Scorgin and
Bell," &c. At the bottom of page 22, Chapter I, in note two, (-) beginning at first' of
third line from the bottom of the page, read "throwing;" second line from bottom of
same, first word, read " very;" bottom line, same page; first word, read " fort." In
Chapter II, page 25, 17th line, in a part of the-edition, the word" heroines" is printed
heroes. In " Prefatory Remarks," second page, 2d line, "Dr. J B. Brown," should be
Dr. S. B. Brown.




Biographical Sketches
EARLY SETT LE RS
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FORT WNAYNE,
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B- OG R A P HY
OF THE i LAT
HON. SAMUEL HANNA.
It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy, to honor
the illustrious dead; to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed
genius and virtue; to unburden the fulness of the surcharged heart in eulogium
upon deceased benefactors; and to rehearse their noble deeds for the benefit of those
who may come after us. It has been the commendable custom of all ages and all
nations. Hence the following feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen.
Samuel. Hanna was born October 18th, 17979 in Scott county, Kentucky. His
father, James Hanna, removed to Dayton, Ohio, in 1804, and settled on anew farm,
lying contiguous to the southern boundary of that town. He was one of a numerous
family, all of whom attained respectable, and most of them, distinguished positions
in life. Samuel's early days were passed, like those of most boys in a new country, in
assisting his father to clear up his farm, and in the enjoyment of such limited educational advantages as Were attainable in the West at that early day. His earliest
employment, away from the protection of the parental roof, was that of post-rider,
as it was called; that is, taking newspapers from the publication office and delivering
them to subscribers at their residences, located far and near over the country-an
employment now obsolete, but extensively.practiced fifty years ago, when post-offices
were almost entirely limited to the county-seats. In this humble calling, the youthful Hanna passed considerable time, traversing, week after week, the then wilderness of western Ohio.
There is one incident connected with his first business enterprise well worthy of
being recorded for the benefit of the young men who are ambitious to rise in
the world.
It seems that in his nineteenth year, young Hanna occupied the position of clerk
in a store in Piqua, Ohio. He and another young man, also a minor, bought out
the proprietor, giving their notes for $8,000. Soon after, these notes were'transferred to an innocent purchaser. About the same time, the goods which they had
purchased were taken from them by writ of attachment, leaving the young men
without means, and incumbered by a heavy indebtedness. Hanna's partner soon
relieved himself of the liability by the plea of infancy. Noot so young Hanna.
Although his friends advised him to the same course, representing that he had been
swindled, he nobly declined, declaring that he would pay the last dollar of the debt,
should providence ever favor him with the means. It is but justice to the memory
of Mr. Hanna to say that he subsequently redeemed this promise. and paid the debt,
in full, principal and interest.
Integrity and uprightness thus early evinced, amidst strong inducements to a contrary course, characterized his long and useful career, and gave him immense influence over his fellow men. If young men would emulate his example in this respect,
the word failure would seldom be written over their business lives.
Subsequently he engaged for omne time in teaching a conttry schobl; and he is




4                      HSTOtY o01r    FORT'1WA~-T
represented, no doubt, truly, as having been a vigorous disciplinarian-an exact;
systematic, and thorough instructor..Indeed, he seems, at that early day, to have
indicated his future eminence and usefulness, by adopti ng and acting upon, that honest but homrely nmaxira that exerted an influence so marked and so beneficial on all
his subsequlent career, and extended up to the hour of his death: " Whatever you
find to do, do it with all your migoht," or, "Whatever is worth doing, is wvorth doing well."
H.e attended the Indian treaty at St..ary's, in 1818, in the character of a sutler,
or purveyor, in connection with his brother Thomas, furnishing both food for men
and provender for horses, all of which was hauled with an ox-tetam from Troy, Ohio 
he, with his own hands, hew-ing out feed-troughs for the stock. By this operation
he realized a small amount of i money. This was his first substantial acquisition —
the corner-stone upon which his subsequent, colossal fortune vwas reared, Here, too,
his pu-rpose wa-s fornmed of emiigirating to Fort Wty"vne, lwlere he was destined to
act so conspicuous and important a part in developing the resorces of the country
and buildin 1 uIp a city.
Lie arrivet,' here in 1819, when he was in his twenty-seeconid year. He found the
place a mere Indian trading-post, wVith very few white inhabitants, and those mnerely
reimnlants of the old milittary establishment. Oultside of the " Post" and its immediate vicinity, there were no white settlers, and the country in every direction, for'
hundreds of miles, wasi an unbroken wilderness, swarming with the red men of the
fores'u.  e immediiately entered upon mercantile pursuits in a small way, at what
is now thle Northw-est corner of Columbia and Barr streets. The town was not
then laid out. His first store-house was a rude log cabin, erected, principally, with
his own hands. This primitive structure wla soon superseded by a story-and-ahalf frame building, and that, in after'vears, by a substantial brick. block of business
houses. These are still retained by the family and belong to the sharer of his joys
and his sorrows, his toils and his trials, the trusted and honored companion of his
youth, his manhood, aand his old age, and who vet survives. Mly her remaining
days be many anmono- the living.
Of course, at that early cay, his chief customers were Indians. Indian tradehas always
been profitable, even whene conducted honestly and justly, asis universally conceded
it always was by this young trader. It may here be rema-rked that Indian traders, as
a class, have mostly been regarded as about the worst specimens of the race; being
chiefly intent, by the basest arts, upon defrauding the ignorant and simple-minded
childcrenof the forest out of their annuities, or whatever little property they might
possess. But ino such impu'teWattiao attaches to the character of Mr. Hanna. By a
course of fair and hlonorablle dealing, fist witIh his Indian customers, and then
with the whites, as theyS u ame into the country and the Indians receded, he acquired
a high degree of regard andc consideration on the part of the people among whom
he lived so imany years. This I egard and consideration went; on increasing in vol-:
ume and irtensity while he lived, and only culminated when the portals of the tomb
shut him from mortal sight forever.
SAMUEL HAxS   A's splendid fortune was not acquired by defraudi ng his fellow-men 
either white or red; but by great business sagacity, tle most indiomitable industry,
and rigid. economy. These sithee qualities he possessed in an eminent degree. He
especially claimed credit for his econoniy during the early stages of his business
career; and often' declared that he never expended one. dollar for any personal
pleasure or lux-,ury until h3e was worth over fifty thousand. How many young men
of the present day will be able to say -this when they are old?
Prom his first settlement at Fort NVayne, Mr. Hanna, at all times, and on all
occasions, oevnced a strong desire to build up the town, to advance its material in —
terests in every way, ancd to ilmplrove and dcevelope the resources of the country;
nid though not inattentive to his owvn individual interests, the cardinal purpose was
ke-pt steadily in view during his whole life. In all meetings of the people for the
promotion of public improvem ents or public welfare, he was always a conspicuous
and leadfing aetor. He early perceived the indispensible necessity of opening and
imnproving roat aaand other Lfacilities for travel and intercommunication; but to fully
appreciate his desin-,s n this respect, it may be necessary to revert to the condition
of tho.ni' s at that tine.
t-s qii[ atl.Bdv been reiimaked, Fort Wayne. as he found it was situated in' a
vilcier'nes, far vrc.yedo from sll improvemnents. Theb ounry arou ndy afiorded no




8AMUltJEL H-AN'A. 
supplies, except the inconiderable amount yielded hy the cie a ts, and a very small
quantity of corn grown on the bottoms in the immediate vicinity by the occupanpts
of the "Post," or Fort, themselves. The chief s l  f pply of  visions or provender,
and almost every necessary of life, had to be brought from a distance; mostly from
Miami county, Ohio, by way of St. Mary's: being transported by wagons to the
latter place, thence to bFort WTayne by flat-boats, down the St. Mary's river. The
dangers and difficulties that attended the shipment of supplies through this channel,
can scarcely be conceived at the present day. Imagnine men with loadad teams,
struggling throurgh swamps and interminable mud, day after day, lodging in the
wilderness by night, then conceive the perils of boatinrg on a crooked,nalrrov7 stream,
through dense forests, beset with fallen timber and ot:her obstructions in its whole
course. Then think of the hardy boatmen, day after day, standing for hours waist
deep in water, cutting away the fallen trees anld renmoving them, exposed to wet and
cold, with no protection but the scanty garmeits the, wore, and they saturated
with water for days in succession. Such was the severity of the serice, that many
persons engaged in it were brought to a premature grave.
The facilities for obtaining goods were little or no better. They were, mostly,
purchased in New York or Boston, and brought up the 2Maumee in pirogues, a
imost laborious task; or packed through the wilderness from Detroit, on horses.
lWhen it is considerSd that these were the best, and almnost the only source's of
supply, at that early day, the gigantic difficulties in the way of founding and building a city, nay be faintly imalgined but never described, nor even fully appreciated
at the present time. Mar. Hanna, though he clearly saw and deeply felt them
all in their fullest force, was by no meansi discouraged or disheartened. They only
excited the ardor and enthusiasrm of his indomitiable nature, and nerved him to redoubled effort and determination. He and a few other public spirited men, wsho
generally followed his lead, addressed them.selves to the work of their removal
with resolute and untiring energy.
The fruits of their noble efforts we this day largely enjoy. Pause for a moment
and contrast the present Fort Wayne alnd it's surroundings with the Fort Wayne
of 1.819. Then but few people, except Indians, no schools, no churches, lno improved country, no town-not even a laid-out town plat. NWow, a population rapidly
approaching 30,000; a well cultivated, denselr peopled, wealtlhy, productive and
prosperous country in every direction; canals, turnpikes, railroads and other facilities for trivel and transportation, abound, bringing to the city abundant supplies
of proluc, goods, bui:lding mallterials, and vwhatever miay conduce to the comfort
anld convenience of the people (giving profitable emr1plDyment to mally of themi),
or add material prosperity to the place.  aew structures are springing up in all
directions as if by magic. T*emples of public wors!hip, colleges and free schools, arc
being erected and beautified. Everything indlicates thrift, enterprise, progresse
and prosperity. Society is out of its infancy; and is rapidly assuming the proportions of a giant.
What has caused this wonderful transformation?-this bleak, desolate, and savago
wilderness. "to blossom  as the rose," and becorme in this short period of time, the
habitation of a great, a free, a powerful, prosperous and rmagnanimous people?
Such wonders are not visible everywhere. In many plhces, even in this favored
land, instead of the rapid advances of improvement, we see evident signs of stagnation, of decay and dilapidation.'Why this difference? In many instances thi
country lacked those enterprising men so indispensable to lea d the masses, and inspire them with energetic effort, to direct those efibrts, when aroused, to proper
means and judicious ends-in short, to lend a powerful helping hand, and throw iln
the scale a heavy purse, when other resources fail. Society needs generals ill civil
life, as well as in war. SAMUEL HANNA was elmphaltically a. gen'eal in civil life.
His name is intimately associated landi blended wvitlh every 1period in the history of
Fort Wayne. No public enterpise of importance wnas ever undertakein by hert citizens without his concurrence and aidc. In truth, it iwould be impossible to write
the history of Fort Wayne, wvithoutt, at the sasele tile, writing a large portion of
the biography of SArMUEL HAxTNA. l.is vcast an d controling influence is visible
everywhere, and was potential for good wherever it extended.
Soon after commencinr operations at Fort W'yn-re, SArrUrs,:L HANNA was appoinedf
Agent of the Amlerican Fur Colmpany, a responsible positioni, whiclih he filled for -:
number of years to the entire satisfaction of the Company. He was, also, Associate




6                      HISTORisTo ~ o1 FO RT WAYirNE
Judge of the Circuit Court, and was repeatedly elected, at that early period, and, in
subsequent years, a member of the State Legislature. To the importance of some
of his services in the latter capacity, allusion will, hereafter, be made. As his means
accumulated he extended his mercantile operations to other places, particularly
to.Lafayette, where he was, for malny years, concerned in a large house with his
brother Joseph; and to Wabash, where he was connectedin business with his brother
Hugh, from both of which he realized large returns. He became an extensive land
owner in the Wabash valley and elsewhere. The writer well remembers having
heard him remark, upon setting out for Indianapolis, in 1843, that he could go by
way of Lafayette and return by way of Andersontown, and feed his horse at his
own corn crib every night during his journey.
The American people have been informed that a dim f6reshadowing of a canal
to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio river, was ontertained by Gen. Washington.
and other early patriots and statesmen, as one of the possibilities of the far futuret
But they are indebted to Judge HAINA for the first practical conception of the
magnificent project. It was in a familiar conversation with the late David Burr'
in a little summer-house attached to his then residence, at the northwest corner
of Barr and Berry streets, that he first broached the subject of a canal to connect
Lake Erie with the Wabash river, to that gentleman. It struck Mr. Burr favorably. He was a scholarly gentleman, of ability and influence, well and respectfully remembered by the older citizens of the place. The two frequently consulted
together in regard to this important matter, and partially matured a plan of operations. They opened correspondence with the Indiana Representatives and Senators
in Congress, and secured their favor and influence for the great undertaking. These
efforts resulted, in 1827, in a grant by Congress to the State of Indiana, of each
alternate section of land for six miles on each side of the proposed line, through its
whole length, to aid in the construction of the canal. Strange as it may seem at
the present day, a powerful opposition to the acceptance of the grant by the State,
was organized in some parts thereof, and Judge HANNA was elected to the Legislature as the especial champion of the canal policy. The contest was ardent and
protracted, but resulted in the acceptance of the grant, and an appropriation of
one thousand dollars.to purchase the necessary engineering instrun-ments and procure the survey and location of the summit level. J,Cdge HANNrA, David Burr, and
a Mr. Jones were appointed Canal Commissioners. Judge HABNA went to New
York, purchased the instruments, and, returning by way of Detroit, packed them oil
horseback from that city to Fort Wayne.  Civil Engineers were scarce in the
Wrest at that day, but thecommissioners procured one and immediately entered
upon the survey, colmmencingo on the St. Joseph river, six miles above Fort Wayne,
where the feeder cam was afterwards built, Mr. Burr.operating as rod-man and
Judge HA&NNA as ax.-man, both at ten dollars per month. The second day the
engineer was taken sick and Avas compelled to abandon the work, Judge HAN NA
and IMr. Burr, alone, continuing and completing the survey of the sumlnit feeder.
They nmade their report to the succeeding session of the Legislature, and Judge
IANNA. being again a imember, secured its adoption, and the passage of an Act
authorizing the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal. Thus originated, and
txas inaugurated, almost, if not entirely, through the untiring energy, the indomitable perseverance of these two noble pioneers, HANN cA and Burr, this stupendous
work of Internal Improvemennt-the longest continuous line of artificial water
communication on the American continent; if not in the world; and which was of
such incalculable value to F ot Wayne and all Northern Indiana. They are far,
very far, in advance of what they would have been, had there been no Wabash
and Erie Canal. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that they }would hardly yet
have been out of the primeval wilderness without that great work.
Judge HxA-xA was Fund Commissioner for several years, and negotiated for
most of the money with which the work was carried on.
In alluding to this subject, the American Iailway -Review, of Septemlber 1st,
1859, says:
" Probably no ono contributed more to the success of the canal policy during th e filst
and trying years of its progress, than SAMlUEL HJ AX  of Fort Wayne. From 1828 to 1836,
he was successively Can.l Commissioner and Fund Commissioner, besides serving three
years in the State Senate and one year in the House, representing, as Senator, perhaps
one-third the entire area of the Stat., and filling, in each body, for a part of the time




SAMUEL    HANNA.                           7
the post of Chairman of the Canal Committee. In these official stations he evinced the
same judgment, tact and force of character which, nearly a quarter of a century afterwards, enabled him to render important service to the Northern section of Indiana,
the enterprise of completing, under financial difficulties, such as would have discouraged
men less courageous in assuming pecuniary responsibilities, that portion of the Pittsburg,
Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway lying west of Crestline."
Perhaps the wisdom and ability of Judge HANNA were never more strikingly
displayed in any single act of his life than in the establishment and organization of
the State Bank of Indiana. When the derangement of the currency and financial embarrassment, consequent upon the veto of the United States Bank and other
kindred mneasures occurred, he was a member of the Legislature. The President.
had recommended the creatiorn of more State Banks to supply the circulation,
retired by the closing of that institution. Accordingly, a charter was introduced
into the Indiana Legislature of such a character that Judge HANAr and other
judicious members thought it ought not to pass. He opposed its passage with great
power and ability, and was principally instrumental in defeating it; but it was
clearly seen that a charter of some kind would pass at the next session. A committee was appointed to prepare a proper charter during the vacation, to be presented when the Legislature again convened. Judge HANNA was made Chairman of
that committee, and to him was confided the duty of drafting the proposed new
charter. How well he performed the duty, may be inferred from the fact that it
passed both houses of the Legislature almost.precisely as it came from his hand,
within a few days after their coming together, and was approved January 28th,
1834. Thus was created the State Bank of Indiana, by common consent, one of
the best banking institutions that has ever existed in this country-an institution
that continued in operation twenty years, affording the people a safe and sound
eurrency, and yielding to the State a large accumulated fund at its close; an institution that exerted a marked influence on the subsequent Bank Legislation of many
other states. No one ever lost a dollar by the State Bank of Indiana.
A branch was at once established at Fort Wayne, of which Judge HANNA. was
President much of the time, and Hon. Hugh McCulloch, present Secretary of the
United States Treasury, Cashier, during the whole time of its continuance. The
branches of this institution were generally well and discreetly managed, but according to a unanimous public sentiment, the Fort Wayne Branch was managed
with pre-eminent skill and ability.
In 1836, Judge HANNA purchased the large remaining land interestof Barr andl
McCorkle, adjoining, and surrounding the then plat of Fort Wayne. This purchase, although it ultimately proved very profitable, for many years, involved him
in serious financial embarrassments. lie immnediately commenced laying off and
selling lots, but sales for some time were not rapid, mnoney was exceedingly scarce,
and most of those who did buy were unable to pay when their liabilities became
due. Meanwhile, the interest on his large purchase had to be paid regularly.
Moreover, such was his leniency towards his debtors, that he would, and did, for
years, suffer every kind of inconvenience and pecuniary sacrifice, rather than
press or distress them. Multitudes have comfortable homes to-day, in. this city,
who are indebted for them to the kindness and forbearance of Judge HANNA. It
was a rule with him never to urge payment of any one who kept his interest paid
up, ind many were in arrears for even that for years together, without being
disturbed.
In 1843, an outlet for produce and an inlet for people were opened by the opening of the canal to the Lake; the country began rapidly to settle, and the town to
improve. The sale of lots was greatly augmented, money became more abundant,
and payments more ready. Then Judge HANNA began to reap the benefits of his
hazardous purchase-to enjoy the reward of his years of toil and embarrassments,
and of his generous forbearance towards his poor debtors. " Hanua's Addition"
is a very extensive and important part of the present city of Fort Wayne.
For several years succeeding 1836, Judge HANNA devoted himself, mainly, to
the affairs of the Fort Wayne Branch Bank, to the management and improvement
of his estate, and to the enjoyment of his domestic and social relations; accepting,
occasionally, at seat in the Legislature of the State. During this period, his pet
project, the Waebash and Erie Canal, was open to Toledo, working wonders in the
davelopement of both town and country. But the roads leading to Fort Wayne




S                     HISTORY 01    FoRTl WIAI T E3,
were in a wretched condition much of the time, and their improvement became a
subject of vital necessity. The question as to how the desired improvement could
be effected was extensively agitated. About this time the building of plank roads
was coming into practice in some of the eastern states and in Canada. A gentleman of this county, the late Jesse Vermilyea, visited and examined some of them,
taking particular note of the manner of their construction and reported favorably.
The idea was seizedby Judg'e HAN xA with avidity and acted upon with his accustomed
promptness and energy. He anctsome other enterprising gentlemen, here and along
the line, northward, immnediately began to organize the Fort VWayne and Lima Plank
Road Company and procure the stockeubscriptitns. The people were very solicitous
for the road, but they were generally poor in money, and these subscriptions were
almost entirely made in land, goods, ltabor, &c. About all the money used in building
fifty miles of this road was borrowed of the Branch Baik, on the credit of the company;
and this was expended in building the necessary steam saw-mills. The first attempt
to let contracts proved a failure. In order to give the work a start, Judge HANNA
took the first ten miles north of Fort Wayne and went, personally, into the work;
superintending, directing, and with his own hands assisting in the most laborious
operations. Others followed his example, and within about two years the road was
completed to Ontario, a distance of fifty miles-the first improvement of the kind
undertaken and completed in Northern Indiana. Other similar works followed in
quick succession leading to Fort Wayne, among which was the Piqua Plank Road.
In the construction of this, as in that of the Lima road, Judge HANNA was an active
and leading participant. While others nobly did their whole duty, it cannot be
denied that he was the Hercules, whose shoulder to the wheel propelled both of those
works onward toward colmpletion.
When the Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad reached Crestline, and it was proposed to extend it to Fort Wayne, under the name of the Ohio and Indiana Railroad, Judge HAN NA was ready with his powerful co-operation. He was largely
instrumentalin inducing the people of Allen county to vote a subscription of $100000 to its capital stock. This was theturning point of the great enterprise at that
time. Without this timely aid, the work would have been indefinitely postponed,
if not entirely defeated. The project was strong in merit, but weak in funds. It
was difficult to find responsible parties who were willing to undertake the construction of the work; but Judge HANNA, as in all else, was equal to the emergency.
In 1852, he, in connection with our respected fellow citizen, Pliny Hoagland, Esq.,
and the late Hon. Win. Mitchell, took the whole contract from Crestline to Fort
Wayne, 132 miles, and immediately entered upon the prosecution of the work.
After making some progress, the available means of the company became entirely
exhausted, and the work was suddenly brought to a stand-still. A meeting of the
directors was called at Bucyrus; but the prospect presented was all dark and dulious. No one could devise the ways and means to advance a step in the work. The
case looked hopeless and desperate. Dr. Merriman, the President of the company,
a most amiable and estimable gentleman, resigned in despair of rendering any further service. Judge HANiNA was immediately elected to fill the vacancy occasioned
by his resignation. In three days he was in the Eastern cities, pledging his indi-,idual credit and that of his coadjutors, Hoagland and 3Mitchell, for funds. This
effected, without delay, he hastened to Montreal and Quebec, to redeem iron that
had been forfeited for non pa.yment of transportation. In this he was successful.
The crisis was passed-light was ahead. Work was resumed. The Ohio and Indiana Railroad was again making progress, ad. in November, 1854, overcoming
the most formidable obstacles, the cars from Pittsburg and Philadelphia, came rolling into Fort Wayne, waking the echoes of the wilderness as they came, and bringing hilarious joy and gladness to this hitherto isolated community. Then "was
the town all a jubilee of feasts," festivity and exultation, such as it had never exhibited before, and possibly may never exhibit again. It was the initial line of a
system of railroads that are destined, at no distant day, to radiate from Fort
Wayne, "like the spokes from the hub of a wheel."
In the autumn of 1852, while incumbered with the building and financial emnbarrassments of the Ohio andl Indiana Railroad, the Fort AVayne and Chicago Railroad company was organized, and Judge HANNA was elected President. "The
means of this company to prosecute the work were to be derived, mainly, from the




SAMUEL HAMNA. 
sale of the.stock and bonds. The stock subscriptions which were paid in cash into
the Treasury, Were very small-amounting, perhaps, in all, to less than three percent. on the final cost of building and equiping the road between Fort Wayne and
Chicago. The stock subscriptions were paid, mostly, in uncultivated lands, farms,
town-lots, and labor upon the road. A large portion of the real estate thus conveyed to the company in payment of subscriptions to stock, (over $1,000,000 in,value,) was mortgaged by the company to obtain the necessary cash means to pay
for grading the road-way."  Other cash means had to be derived from the sale of
bonds; and, as the company had been but recently organized, with but little or no
work done on its line of road, of course, its securities met with no ready sale. In
the face of these discouraging circumstances, which would have overwhelmed almost
any other man, Judge HANNA went resolutely to work on the new line. He was thus,
President.and chief manager of two companies-both without money, except what
his own exertions provided-whose united lines extended from Crestline to Chicago,
a distance of 280 miles, and a leading aontractor for the construction of one of them.
Instead of being overcome or depressed by this immense responsibility; instead of
fainting or faltering under Lhe load that would have crushed most other men, he
was fully up to the occasion. The difficulties that surrounded him only nerved himI
to the exertion of his great powers. The brightness of his true character never
blazed eut in fuller effulgence. The greater the pressure, the greater was always
his resources, and the greater the elasticity of his nature.
Under such adverse circumstances, as above alluded to, it was not to be expected
that the work would progress with great rapidity. The Pennsylvania Central ].ailro-ad Company extended a little assistance to the new enterprise, but not sufficient
to effect any very decided result. In the beginning of 1856, however, the cars were{
running to Columbia City, and considerable grading had been done between that
town and Plymouth, a distance of 45 miles further west.
During that year, it became apparent to many of the stockholders, as well as
managers of the separate corporations, extending from Pittsburg to Chicago, and
which, in fact, for all practical and business purposes, formed but one line, that the
interests and convenience of each, as well as of the public, would be promoted by
mergin their seperate existence into one great consolidated company. Judge [Hi ANNA
early and earnestly espoused th.e cause of consolidation, and a meeting was called at
Fort Wayne to consider and act upon the subject. Contrary to expectation, conaid-.
erable opposition to the projected consolidation manifested itself at this meeting,
headed and managed by the shrewd and talented Charles L. Boalt, oncouraged and
assisted by others hardly loss astute. The debate was animated and exciting. The
best talent on both sides was warmly enlisted. The contest extended to considerable
lenfgth, and its issue apIpared doubtful. Before the debate closed,.Judoe HI^;N
rose for a final appeal NIo one who heard that brief effort will forget it. It was
a condensed array of facts and arguments —a splendid out-burst of burning, earnest
eloquence. The opposition was literally crushed out. The vote resulted in a large
majority for consolidation-many who had opposed it in the beginning, voting in its
favor. Thus, on the first day of August, 1856, the three minor corporations were
obliterated on terms satisfactory to themselves, and the great Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne, and Chicago Railread     Colipany succeeded to their franchises and
liabilities.
The Hon. G. 7W. Cass was elected President, and Judge HIIANNA Vice President
of the consolidated company; the former holding the position until the prose nt day,
and the latter until his decease. Out of respect to the memory of the late incumbent,
the vacancy has never since been filled.
The new arrangement infused new life and energy into the work. Jesse L.
Williaitams,, Esq, as appointed Chief Engineer, and under his vigorous management,
in Noovember, a little over three months after the consolidation, the road was open
to Plymouth, sixty-six miles west of Fort Wa.yne. That section of the Cincinnati,
Peru, and Chicago Railroad, extending from Plymouth to La Porte, and there connecting with the Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana Railroad, was opened
for business about the s'rae time; thus giving, by the aid of two other lines, a through
route from Pittsburg to Chicago. The idea was conceived, and gained some strength,
of permilting the west   te trminus of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago
Hoad to rest at Plymouth for a while, perhaps indefinitely; and of reachinag Chi



10                          HISTORY     OF FOBRT WAYN}.
cago over the two other routes, by way of La Porte.         This plan  Judge    HLS-wA.
opposed with even more than his usual vigor and ability, and was largely instrumental in defeating it. Nothing less than a direct, independent line-the comp any's
own line-would satisfy him.     As the round-about arrangement, upon trial, proved
disadvantageous to the company, it was abandoned, and the direct line pushed forward to an early completion.
While Judge HAWNA would never yield an iota of the interests of the company
to any outside consideration, he was not unmindful of the interests of Fort Wayne,
nor, perhaps, of his own individual interests.    When those of the company could
be as well, or better, subserved at Fort Wayne than elsewhere, he preferred        Fort
Wayne.     Hence his untiring efforts for the establishment and building up, here, of
the immense repair shops and manufactories that constitute so important a feature
of Fort Wayne.
To him are we, mainly, if not entirely, indebted for the incalculable benefit derived
from   their location  here.   His sagacity    foresaw   their importance     from  the
beginning, and he never, for a moment, lost sight of it. He had the aid and co-operation of other able and influential men, but he had to encounter the determined
opposition of others equally able and influential.   Those who are familiar with the
proceedings of the Board of Directors, from the time of the consolidation, onward,
know with what persistent industry and faithfulness he pursued this cherished object.
Sometimes he advanced towards it by direct approaches-sometimes by strategy, or
at "flank movement "-but he always advanced, never receded.            Success was the
work of years, but success was achieved at last, and the people of this city are now
enjoying, and always will enjoy the fruits of those enduring, persevering, effective
exertions for their benefit, that were silently, steadfastly prosecuted all those years,
and of which few     of them were aware until the work was consummated.          Judge
HANNA, by his wisdom, his moderation, his prudence, his conciliatory          manners,
possessed a standing, and exerted an influence in, the Board of Directors, equalled
by few   and surpassed by none; and now, that he has ceased from       his labors and
gone to his reward, it is no disparagement to the other distinguished        gentlemen
who composed that Board, nor evidence of undue partiality on the part of his
friends, when they regard him as having been        "the noblest Roman of them all."
On the 12th day of June, 1866, the day after the death of Judge HANNA, a
meeting of condolence was held at the Court House by the citizens of Fort Wayne,
and addressed by Hon. Joseph         K. Edgerton.    At the risk   of some repetition,
the following   truthful, and eloquent passages are extracted from his address on that
occasion,                                5       *       55'       * 
e        *       Z. *       -m      *        5*      *       X *     *
"When I first knew Judge HtINNA., hle was a large town proprietor in Fort Wayne, and a largo Real
Estate owner in Allen county-ieputed rich in property, but poor in money-and all the powerd of his
mind and body seemed identified with and concentrated. on the developernent of his county, and tho
building up of Fort Wayne. He hald before been an active coadjutor in the construction of the Wabash
and Erie Canal, and,as one of the F'nd Comnlissioners of Indiana, had in part borne well the heavy
burden of mnanaging the finanles of the State, during the darkest period of its financial history.
The Wabash and Erie Canal, upon which great hopes had been based, had not realized those hopes.
It had done nmuch, but not a.ll that was required, for the material developement of tho Wabash Va\lle y.
It had helped Fort nWayne to grow from ai Indian frontier trading post, to a thriving county town of
siome 2,000 or 3,000 people-but with the projection and construction of Railroads on the North and South
of as, drawing to;them the movemlunt of menL to the Northwest, Fort Wayne and Northelrn Indiana
were passed by, and it plsinly was not in the( power of thle Wabash and Erie (anal to sabv] Fort Wayne
froin impending stagnation. No nm-an more clearly sacw this than did Judge LEaixA., nor was more active
and able in effort than lie to avoid the impending evil.
A. section of country so thinly peopled and so poor inL money,as ours was then, was not able to build
railroads, and at first but little hope was felt, or effortl mIlade in that direction. Plank-roads, then a new
a.nd popular mode of public improvemlent-the materials and means for which were in our powerwere first looked to, to supply the growing want of easy transportatiot, and to them, Judge IIANaA,
chief among our citizens, directed his energies. He was a projector and active and leading worker in
the ysort t Wayl and Limra Plank Ioad and in the Piqua Plank lsoad, two projects by whichl Fort Wayne
sougiht to draw to itself a large Northern and Southern trsado naturally belonging to it. Citizens of
sixteen or eighteen years residence here, all know how faithfully Judge HIANNA, worked to build plbank
roads. With the efficient co-operation of Win. Mtitchell, Drusus Nichols and other public spirited citizens in and out of Fort Wayne, the Lima Plank Road, fifty Iiles long, was built, ant this soon lese to
the construction of the Bluffton, and, i part, te Colum, te Colu   the ( Gshen and the Piquea plalnk roads, all
of which did their part and much, to advaance the growth and prosperity of Fort Wayne.
JudgeIsB.aNN. sot only planned and worked with his head, but with his hands also, in building the
tinma  Plank Road. He was one of the contractors on that work, and I well remember seeing him onx
onio occasion, with ax in hand, superintending the worlk tand showing the workmen how to lay the plank
Plank roads had their day —they were poor substitutes for the iron way, and the locomotioe power o
steaim.




SAMUEL HANNA.                                           11'When'thatjgrand national line of railway, which is now the pride and strength of Fort Wayne,'and
with which his name is forever identified, the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway,4 was first
projected,-beginning with the section from Pittsburg to Mlassillon, thence from Massillon toeCrestline,
thence from Crestline to Fort Wayne, and linally developing in the grand idea of a consolidated continuous line of railway from Pittsburg to Chicago-Judge HANNi was among the first to see, to appreciate,
and to take hold of the golden enterprise, that was, in ten years time, to bring up Fort Wayne fronm
thce condition of an ineignificant county town, to rankl and dignity among the first commercial
and manufacturing towns of Indiana; and not only to d(o that, but to make hundreds of miles of before
wilderness country, to bear their golden grain, and to dot them over with thriving, busy towns and
Tillages.
cJiudge HA.NA early became identified with the Ohio iad Indiana Railroad-the middle section between Crestline and Fort Wayne —of what is now the Pittsburg, Foit Wayne & Chicago road-on which
work was commence.d in the Spring of 1.852. He was greatly instrumental in procuring the Indiana charter for this road, and the Allen County, Indiana, subscription of $100,000, and other county subscriptions
in Ohio to aid in its construction. In 1852 he succeeded Dr. Merriman as President of the road, and became
emphatically its leading spirit. In. September, 1852, he was made first President of the Fort Wayne and
Chicago Ilailrodd Company, on its organization at Warsaw. From that time until the reorganization
of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway Conmpany in 1861-62, no man held a more important
position, or toolc a more active or influential part in the completion and management of that line of
railway than did Judge IHANNA. His labor and devotion in the work were unceasing.
It was my fortune to be intimately associated with Judge HANNA in active railroad mangoemnent from
1851 to. the close of 1860.'.:I hat abundant opportunity of knowing his zeal, his ability, his devotion, his
untiring labor in the great work on which he had built his hopes of fortune and a public namne. Tho
*powerful corporation, now so strong and prosperous, measuring its annual income, by well-nigh half a
score of millions of dollars, knew in its early history, both before and after the consolidation, many daric
and gloomy hours. From the Fall of 1854 to the close of 1860, it passed through a fearful struggle, not
only for thQ completion of its work, but for its own corporate and financial life. The financial disasters of 1857 found the consolidated company with an incomplete road, with meagre revenues, and a
broken credit. Many of its best friends, even among its own managers, wore inclined to grow weary
and to faint by the way. Through all this trying period no man worked more faithfully and hopefully,
or was consulted more freely, or leaned upon with more confidence, than was Judge IIHANXA. IHe was
a tower of strength to an almost ruined enterprise. He was at brief times gloomy and desponding, but
lie wa.s a man of large hope, and a robust, physical organization, that eminently fittted him to stand up
and toil on to a successful end. I thinkl I may truly say, that no man who has ever been connected with
the management of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad has had a larger share of confidence of all interested in it than Judgee HANNA, possessed. I have seen him in all phases of the colmpany's affairs, and in the midst Of negotiations involving the most vital interests in Chicago, Cleveland,
Pittsburg, Philadelphia, and New York. Surrounded by the most sagacious financiere, and railway
cmen of the country, susch men as J. F. I). Lanier, Richard H. Winslow, John Ferguson, Charles Moran,
J. Edgar Thomson, Wm. B. Ogden, George VW. Cass, Amasa Stone, there was in J'udge Hannla, ia weight of
character, ia native sagacity and fitr-seeing judgme nt, andl a fidelity of purpose to tihe public trust he represeinted, that commanded the respect of all, cand mnade him the peer of the ablest of them.
If I were to attempt'to define most clearly Judge Hanna's position.and influicm ce in the management
of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, I would say that he was especially the advocate
and guardian of the local interests of the road. He was ever watschful for the home stock-holders, the
local trade, the rights and interests of the towns and counties on the railway, and the rights and interests
of the men who wotied on the road.  In those dark days, when the compan y  could not, or did not, always
pay its men, and suffering aad strikes were impending, Jadge Hanna syimpathized with, and did all hlie
could ifor, the men on the road who earned their daily bread by the workl of their hands and the sweat
of their brows.
JusLdge Hsanna lived to sQe the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago RIailroad a completed  d and emiicntly successful public work. He lived to see Fort Wayne, the city of his love, to which he came when
it was but a trading post, with no town or eve.n post office bet ween it and Chiicago, grown to a large
cand prosperous city. He lived to ireap, as he deserved, large pecuniary rewards for his years of toil and
risk and self-denial. He died peacefully in his own home, surrounded by the evidences cf the material
prosperitv he had aided to promote.
Ine our cemetery of Lindenwood, there is a beautiful monument, which Judcge Itanna's own forecast and good taste chave already erected to his memnory. It will ever bt looked on with interest, biut
SamuPl Hanna hias a grander and miore lasting monument in Fort. Wayne itself. Of him may well
1:,e said here what is inscribed upon a marbls tablet over the entrance to the choir in St. Paul's
Cathedral in London, to the cmemnory of Sir Christopher Wren, its architect,' Si Moammontum s eel iris
cir(.,msn! ice.'
One marked feature of Judge Hamun's character vwas his untiring energy. It was not, in his nature
to cease to work, until he ceased to live. We have evidence of this as well as other marled characteristics, his hopefulness and self-reliance, in the zeal and energy with which, just before his death, lie
was entering upon a new field of public labor, the building of the Gtrand  apids and ciiiii Indiana  ailroad,
a project second only in its public importance, and in its bearing upon the interests of Fort W a.yne, to
the Pitusburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago. lrtilroad itself.
Knowing Judge Hanna, as I did, and of the influences he was able to bring to bear upon his new enterprise, I have but little doubt that if h hhad lived and retained his mental and physical strength, but feo
years would have elapsed before the iron rails of the Grand Rapida and Indiana Riailway would have
strethed from Fort WayneS to Mackinaw.  But, like other greatly usefl iublic men, it was his fate, under
ithe will of God, to die ere he seemed to have rounded the full sphere of lia usefulneB~
It is perhaps not meet that I should say but a few words more as to the personal character and domestic habits of Judge Hanna. Most of you knew him well, for he went in and out before you for many
yea-rs. Neither in person nor in mind was he what maey be called a polished or educated man. He wac
a self-made man. He had received tew advantages of early education. His was not a disciplined mind
in the scholastic sense of the term.' is teacher was the experience of an active and eventful life.:He wavs eminently a man of aflair', —a practical man —not a man of minuta or detail -not a particularly
orderly or systemantic man, but one of a large, clear mind, and of indomitable purpose, grasping- with
great power theIBalient points and bearing and end of a public question, and moving towards it, if not




1.2                        iHlsTIlo0:Y o:i FORT WAYNM.
always rapidly or gracefully, yet strongly anid surely, While Judge o a nni a was not a scholar, hle was. a
great reader, and had learned. much frorn books, as w(ell as froim ineni. and things, and if without the
aptitude or genius to produce what was elegant in literature or in art, lie was an i ntlligent admirer and
judge of both.
Judge Hanna belonged to the higher vype'of the pioneer clates of mien. Ile was a planter and builder,
more than a legislator. He had the hope, the, courage, the forethought, the fertility of resource, the uiifalteirng: purpose ind will that characterise the pla')ters of colonies and founders of cities. He was a
tine type of many of the unlearned, but nevo'thielss wiset and able men n ho were the pioneers of the northwest. With high elements of statesmantship in hits nature, lie was not altogether adapted for legislativo
or even administrative statesmanshtlip. Ho had rarely souightt foir or held politic'l office. He ias not a
politician, he moved in a higher sphere of tif. It It hao been said of 1Manasoeh Cutler, one of the pioneors:
of Ohio,'Ie was more than a sa. tesan, hie was the founder of a State. In the covered wagon in
which he left his village hom in ias;achu.etts to found tarietta, the imperial  State of Ohio was wrapped up.' The same sentitient may be a. pplied to Judge Hanna. lH:e wae_ morrethan a statesmian, for ho
bad in hint the elements and powers of the men who build cities and found States.
With all his mental strength, and tpublic aisefulness, it was perhapst ill his domestic life and socia.t
relations that Judgs Hanna appeared to the - best advantage. I have novel heard  a whisper again.
thoe iprity of his private. morals. II: wats a temperate, well controlled ion. lie was the idol of hii
ftrtily. He wa's of a genial, social nai',re, ifull at times of a quaint, homtely, simple humor, that had
about it the fireshness of childthood..ie loved his children and his grandchildren, aand children'and
younlg falks gonerally. tie was pleased to have themi with himt and'aroun! him. In the gallery of o'ur
accoomtplished young artist;, air. J. A. Soaff, I lhave lately seen the stereosacopic views of Judge tHa.nnia's.
homestead, himself, and his household. They will retmain' as vivid pictures, not only of the person,
but of the ihabits and character of thile iman. Amlong the pleasing imemenitoet s flit will remain of hiim.
non          e   can  e m ore pleasing th  than  the- miniature scenes, porttaying J udgl H:Ianna, the strong o and
earnest worker through a life of public care, as a pletased spectator ansd actor in theo scenes of Iis
own holonle.
When suitch men as Judge lHann. die, inot only the public heart is filled with sadness and tan
abiding sense of loss, but ithero is within theo sanctuary of his owan household a depth of sorrow
that cannot be fathomed."
Judg:e HA NNA accepted tho Presidency of the Grta.nd Rapids and Indiana Railroad Company, to which       ir. Edgerton   alludes in the foregoing       passages, with
extreme reluctance.    Het seemed to haive a foreboding that his life's work wasdrawing to a close. Tho position had been strongly urged upon him, but he h        ad steadilydeclined it. When he was about leavinga hotme       to attend a meeting of the direir
tors at Grand Rapids, less than two mionaths before his decesoe, the remark was mado
to him that he would return President of the Company. Hle replied' No, that cannot be," and added with'a mourn ful cadence, " the responsibility is too great, I can
not accept it."  The.'esult showed, that asithough a rain as,y be a rultr, among  men,
ihe cannot always govern his own actt ionls. He returoned Presiderrt of the Company.
His desire for the success of the road, and the benefits its con struction would conerp
upon a city whose interests he had cherltished and fostered for a life-time, overcame
any obiections he had entertained to accept the laborious and re'sponsible position.
tIudge HANNA's      eff'rts for the improvemen t( of both town and counti y,   were nott
contfianed t to those of a public nature, but his means were always freely advanced for
the prolamotion "ian encourai gemntt of private  and tindividual enterprise. The YWoolen
Factory of French, HanLna &      Co., tho extensive Foutindry an d iMachine Shops of
Bass & HImnin      and  the large, Hub, Spoke and Bending Factory of' Olds,!ianna
&  Co., maaay be cited as the later instiances of the kind, and attest his liberality in
this regard. They were all essentially aided in their earlier stages, by the uso of
his capital.'With the utmost charity and good-will towards all Christian denoominations, Judge
HI-anna's " roligious training waes in the faith and. spirit of theo Presbyterian Church,
of which   his fatiher was an older for some fifty years."   The organization     of the
first Presbyterian Chuic-h at.Fort Wayne, in "8331, had his cordial co-operation and
support, although hel did not become a member until 184.3; soon after which lie.wa
chosen a Ruling Elder, a position which ho retained during.the remainder of his
life.
Uapon the announcemient of his death, in addition to the meeting of condolence,
before alluded to,' rnd othter rmanifestations of public grief and sorrow, the Coimminon
Council of' the Citv convened and una niimously adopted an appropriate preamble,
and the following r:esolutiorns, as expressive of the universal bereavement that psrvaded the whole community;
Resiolved. That the Miavyor and C0oltaaoll Council of the city of FIorlt'Wa ynie haive received, with tho
deepest seneibility, theannouncemiont. of the deauth'of our great and good fetllow-citizeni, l-on. SA.uEsa
lse.Holvaed,'Ph, hat, as a mark of our rospect and esteemta   to the  fmemaory of him we mourn, theo itayor,
Coninion Council anid officors of tho city ottenhd in a ibody the funeral ob-,equiies, anad that the municipali
tficot be closed fo-r buhsines during the funeral.
tResolved, Tha, to tho widow aund fanmily now born" down by the weight of this afflic.tion, we teonder our'




hea rtelt sympathies and condolence, together Awth the assulrance that we share with them their sorrow:
and their tears.
IRe'olved, That these proceedings be spread upon the minutes of the Commlon Council; that a copy of
the salme be furnished the daily pai pers of the city for publication, and the City Clerk be direc.ted to transmir to the bereaved framily a, certitied copy thereof, and that the citizens, in accordance with the proclaYnation of the Mfayor be requested to close all 1pla; if business between the hours o f two and four o'clock
on to-morrow afternoonl.'Resolved, That, as a further mark of r  respect t t le emory of the lamented dead, the Council do now
adjourn for one week.
The last illness of Judge HI-ANtr was of brief duration. He was taken ill on
Wednesday, June 6th, 1866; on Tlhrusday his case was regarded as dangerous; on
Friday he was partitlly relieved, and on Satturday  he was decidedly better, so much
so that he was up a portion of thle d.ay and wvalked about the house. But during
Saturday night he was seized with a violent relapse. soon succeeded by un(conac(ousness which continued until l.onday A.., the 11th, when the community
was startled and shocked by the intel ligence, which flashed over the city with electric
rapidity, that sudge HA:NA. -ws de (d. No other event has caused so universal a
gloom and sadness. Every one hn! d los t a friend, and every one was in mourning.
The funeral took place oln Wednesday, June 13th. The arrangements were under
tle charge iand direction of thte  r:ti'oTiC  ][ratternlity of whicih T'tlde HXAN.. hlad.
long been a consistent and hnoored memb'erb. A discourse was pronounced by the
IRev. _Mr. Wilson, of'Warsaw. The attendance was, undoubtedly, by far the
largest ever witnessed, on a funeral occasion, in Northern Indiana. It was, in fact,
a spontaneous outpouring of the whole people. The procession extended from the
Court House to the Cemetery, a distance of nearly two nailes, while the street for
almost the whole distance waYis lined with thousands of spectators. The bells of all
the city churches tolled their sad notes simultaneously. All busines was suspended
in accordance with the resolution of the Common Council. Many houses were
draped in mourning, and a deer. sorrow pervaded the minds of the whole people.
The Railroad shops and buildings, if not, literally, the works of his hands, the
emanation of his fertile naid and efiective purpose, were gracefully festooned with
evergreens, wreathed into ingenious aand tasteful devices, among which were inwrought, in large evergreen letters,
SAMITUEL HANNA, THE WORI(INGc-MAN'S F-RIEND.
Every man in and about those shops and buildings knew him as a friend and loved
lim as a father.
In contemplating the many estimable qualities of Judge H.ANNA, integrity and
industry appear as prominent characteristics-an integrity that no personal
or other consideration could swerve, and an itndustry that knew no rest while anything remained undone. When a given task was accomplished, he would throw off
fall care and become cheerful, even mirthful-a rich vein of mirthfulness permeating
his whole nature-or he would retire to his home and devote himself to domestie
and social enjoyments, for which he had the keenest zest and relish. His temper
was calm and equable, seldom aroused, even under severe provocation, but when it
was aroused, it was swift and terrible. His manners were emphatically, thoseof the
old school gentlemen-plain, simple,, dignified-despising sham and pretense of all
kinds. Passing the early part of his life on the frontiers, and his whole life in th.
rough experience of a new country, he possessed none of the sycophancy and false
polish of the courtier. -clis devotion to every duty was intense, while his perception of truth and worth was atimost intuitive. In his estimate of these he was seldom mistaken. His opihaions were positive and strong; but he was &lways open to
conviction, and when satisfied that they were erroneous, his concessions were graceful and unqualified.
Judge HTSNANX' mental endowments and reasoning powers were of a high order,
and lie had cultivated them through many years of close observation and intense
thought. His far-seeing sagacity and prescience in the solution of tgreat financial
problems were remarkable. His experience in such questions had been extensive,
and he had profited by it to the utmost. He stood amnong the great rail.road umanagers of the country, and the great financiers of Wall street, the acknowledged peer of the' ablest, and he was always listened to with deference.
Judge Hanna was a life-long student. His love cf nature and of books, and
his thirst for knowledge, were ardent. HIis mind was wonderfully retentive, and
he had accumulated a fund of information on all the current topics of the day,
that was rarely slurp._paeSd. Prtiecn.lfrly in a.grieultnre, horticnlture, and pomology1




14                    HISTORY Or FORT WAYNE.
which, for years, he had'made7'aspecialty, his knowledge was varied, extensive, and
exact, as the many who have listened, with delight, to his discourses on these subjects,
will remember. Though approaching the limit allotted to human life, his capacity
for labor was undiminished; his mental acuteness, undimmed; his vigorous manhood, unabated. He was just entering upon a new and arduous field of labor and
responsibility, when he was suddenly called from all earthly cares to a final account. Like one of America's greatest statesmen, he may be said, literally, to have' died in the harness."
Suchiis a brief and imperfect outline of the life and services of one of"the pioneers of Fort Wayne; a bright exemplar, worthy the imitation of our young men,
and whose fitting epitaph would be: "'A Noble, Honorable Christian Gentleman."








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GEN. HYACINTH LASSELLE.
THgl FIRST WHITE PERSON       BORN AT IKE-KI-ONG-A.
The first white person born at Ke-ki-ong-a, or in this portion of the State, was,
the late Gen. Hyacinth Lasselle, of Logansport, Ind. His father, Col. James Lasselle, of Montreal, Canada, having been appointed an Indian Agent, for the tribes
of this vicinity, removed with his family, to the village then, and for many years
after, opposite the present site of Fort Wayne, in the fall of 1776. On the 25th of
February following, the subject of this sketch was born at this point. He continued
here with his parents until the fall of 1780, when the suddea assault upon the village by La Balme and his troops caused a very precipitate retreat by the few white,
as well as all the Indian inhabitants. Col. Lasselle made his escape, with his family,
down the Maumee by means of boats, with a loss of an only daughter, who, in the
confusion of the flight, fell overboard and was drowned. He afterwards returned'to Montreal, where he placed his son, Hyacinth, at school. The latter remained
here at school until about sixteen years of age, when he was taken into the employ, as a clerk, of his older brothers, James and Francis Lasselle, who were then
extensive traders at Detroit. After ascending the St. Lawrence, and crossing the
Lakes, by means of battaux,-then the ordinary mode of travel-his party reached
Detroit in the fall of 1793 after a journey of two months duration. Here he remained
as a clerk in the establishment of his brothers for about a year.
The Indian war having been closed by the victory of Gen. Wayne, in 1794,
and peace being fully restored, he was sent by his brothers to trade with the Indians
at Fort Wayne, which had been erected in October following the battle at the rapids. He arrived here in the month of May, 1795, and continued to trade with the
Miamies, and other tribes visiting the Fort, for about a year and a half. After this,
he descended the Wabash, and traded at several points on that'river, until the year
1804, when he removed his establishment to Vincennes, Ind., and located permanently at that place.
Upon the inauguration of Indian hostilities, by the battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811,
he discontinued the Indian trade, and entered the military service. He served for
a period of four years as a Lieutenant and Captain of a company of Mounted Riflemen, or Rangers,-a service of great hardship and danger,-and eventually attained
the position of Major-General of the Militia. In the Spring of 1833, he removed
from Vincennes to Logansport, and died at the latter place on the 23d of January,
1843, in the 66th year of his age.
In person, Gen. L. was about 5 feet 6 inches in height; erect, full-chested, and
muscular. In his prime he was rather rotund and weighed about 160. His complexion
was light, inclining to florid; his eyes of a light-grey color, and full; and hair dark.
Hia features were regular, inclining to the Roman cast, and indicated intelligence,
generosity and firmness. The accompanying portrait represents him as he appeared
n 1812.
From the year 1795 until 1804 he was almost a constant resident or visitant of
Fort 5Wayne in his character as a trader, and was very intimately acquainted with
the various tribes visiting the Fort, and with their character, manners and customs.
His relations of the many incidents connected with Indian life at the Fort here,
would be highly entertaining; bit their recital would necessarily occupy a very
large space in this volume to detail all the interesting rerainiscences of lifci hera




16$                   HISTOTFIY 01   FORT WAYimm
as seen and often recounted by Gen. L. He was held in high esteemrby the Indians:.
and especially by the 1liamies, who, on account of his birth among them, always
called himn by the name of Kie-7:i-ah^ or the li-tle  iamni. He vwas very active a1nd
fleet of foot, and they took great pride in claimning hinm as their chAtrpion in that
line; for, in early times athletic sports of all kinds, and especially foot-racing,- were
in greut fa'vor with the Indians and white pioneers here. It so happened, on one
occasion, that the Mialnies sent a challenge to all the neighboring tribe, to meet
him in the race. Trlhe  innebagoes, of Lako  IHichian, accepted thetchalenge, and
sent a deputation with' thei: charnea ion to E'ot Wa yno to contesi thle opaldt. TheI
racte was ranli. Buit tihe Winnebagoes, exasperated aT tlhe prosrpect o f d-efea-t, lot flytheir arrows at him, just as he was in the act of winnin'g the race, one of which pi ercd.
his thigh. This act of bapd faith causredl great excitement almong the Xitiamies, who
were about to proceed to acts of violence towa;rds the Wiinnebagoes, that Ilight
hfave produced trouble bet een the tribes; but through the intSrce sion of their'faorite, the matter was finally dropped. Hif womitd did dnot1 prove serionu., an d th.rrow wn-r  reail'y oextracted; bul' he beat the i:tdian.
L E\ RY( RUDISILL.
One of the early pioneers of North-eastern Indiana, the subject of this brief
memloir, was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1801. His father sublsequently moved to
Franklin County,Pa.,and, at the age of 14,Henry was placed in a mercantile establishmnent in Shippinsburg, Pa., to be thoroughly educated in all the different branches
of that business.'Three years afterward he removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, (then on
the borders of -Western civilization) as an employee of Messrs. Barr and Campbell,
w.ho were then largely engaged in the mercantile business at that and other points,
east and west.
He remiained with this firm till 1824, when he moved to Lancaster, Ohio, where
he engaged in business on his own account, and was subsequently married to M.iss.Elizabeth Johns, who still survives him. In 1829 lie moved to Fort Wayne, Ind.
and, as the agent of AMessrs. Barr and McCorkle, the original proprietors of Fort'Wayne, had charge of their interests here u ntil 1 837; and while acting in that capacity, cleared and.cultivated a large portion of what is now the " Old Pla" and "':un's addition " to Fort Wayne.
Mr. tudisill was of active and energetic Lteperament, n and  true representative
of the men, who, under Providence, have made the Western country what it;
now is; and, with unselfilsh aim, always tooki aIn active and inlportant part il every
mnovemetient that enldel to Ladvanco the interest of the county and city in whiclh he
lived. As early as 1836, he, in connection with hlis father-in-law, Mfr. Johlns, coXmmnenced the improvement of the XVater Power of the St. Joseph river, at the point
where the St. Joe ]Mills iare now located, one mile north of Fort 5Wayne, and built
there a saw mill and the first flouring nill capable of manufacturincg mercLhlantablh
four in Northern Indiana. A few years later, he put in operation the first machine
for carding wool that was ever used in Allen county; and, some years subsequent,
in company with Mr. L]. Wvolkie, he started the first oil mill for making oil froma
flax seed; and also established, the first woolen factory of Nortl-eastern Indiana,
So, too, in. church and educational matters, and in such public improvelments a.
tended to develope the resources of the county, he was always ready and willing to
aid, and contributed freely to their support, accordiing to his ability.
Being of German descent, and for a number of years the only one in the city wvho.
could speak both languages, he soon became the counsellor, friend, and helper of
ilany who came fromn the Old World to make this portion of the New their home;
atnd there are many in the county to-day who can date their first steps in their
course of prosperity to his assistance and advice.
He was not a partisan in politics, though voting and acting nwithlthe Democratic
party on all State and N]ational questions, till 1854, when lie began mnore especially
r'er  e-terh.o r'ight ti- votqo for men., oR. 1mcn queltions', ireng ardle.s s of party caucuflls




MitR. LAURA     SUTTENIFIELD.                     17
or conventions. He served as Postmaster at this point eight years under Jackson's
administration, and a term of three years a Commissioner of Allen county; and
probably did more than any other man, through his persona] influence with the
Germans, to make the Democratic party the ruling power in the county.
Injured by a fall while superintending some work at one of his mills, his spine
became affected, causing partial paralysis and subsequent death in February, 1858.
His uprightness, kindness, and affability in his intercourse with his fellow-citizens,
early won for him a host of friends, who will ever cherish for him a kinldly memory and regard.
In his more private, social intercourse, he was no less happy in winning the regard
and esteem of every one with whom he came in contact, and we have the consolation of knowing that his true piety and earnest Christian faith have prepared for
him a rich reward in that better world to which hIe bhas gon e.
AMRS. LAURA SUTTENFIELD.
Sut few of the pioneer mothers of Fort W'Vayie still survive among us to tell
the adventures of the past, one of whom, is irs. Laura Suttenfield; who is now
in her 73d year..Mrs. S. was born in the city of Boston, IMass., in 1795, and, as the
reader will alreadyvhave seen, came to Fort Wayne as early as 181.4, by way of the,St, Mary's river, then much navigated by' fiats." It was soon after the arrival of
herself iand husband here, with some friends, that the old -fort, built by order of
Gen." Wayne, in 1794, was removed, and a new one erected on the site of the old
one, by order of Major Whistler; in the building of which, her husband took an
active part. Fromr the time of her first arrival here, she, with others, made the
fort their home, and continued to reside in the garrison several years after.
Ever attentive and amiable in her disposition, she early won the esteem not only
of those within the garrison, but strangers visiting the post, then so famous in the
northwest; and her recollections of the brave men who participated in the struggles
peculiar to those early times are ever clear and interesting, as many can well attest
among us to-day. Indeed, during many years yast, if any question of special import came un for consideration, about which any doubts were entertained as to accuracy of date, name, etc., as one of the early pioneers of Fort WWayne once remarked
to the writer, an appeal was at once had to the memory of Mrs. S.; and all felt
confident and satisfied when she gave her decision on the point under consideration.
Such was her memory in other days, and a few moments conversation with her
upon early pioneer life in the west, at her present advanced age, will be sufficient
evidence of her wonderful memory. Her husband, Col. Win. Suttenfield, who has
now been dead some years, was a most patriotic kind-hearted man. For some
time after his removal to this point, he was a non-commissioned officer of the fort
here. At an early period of the struggles in the west he was engaged in the recruiting service, and for many months after his arrival here, he was mainly employed
in bringing provisions and other articles needed by the garrison fromn Piqua and
other points, on pack-horses, and usually had three or four men to accompany and
aid him in his perilous and burldensome duties back and forth to the settlements. Being short and slender of form, and very active on foot, he would often say the Indians could'nt catch him, and that he was not afraid of them. And, as curing the
period of his recruitilg service, in his labors as superintendent of "'packs" and
general provision contractor for the fort here, he was long and early"a most serviceable man to his country and the little band of settlers lnd sojourners at Fort
Wayyne at the early period to which this sketch more especially refers.. The firs;
house (a substantial log edifice) that was built in what is now the "old plat,"
was erected by Colonel Suttenfield, at the northwest corner of Barr and Columbia
streets, just opposite the grocery store of T. B. Hedekin, in which Mr. Suttenfield
and family resided for many years after its erection, and were ever esteemed
for their many kindly traits of character.
Mrts. S.'s recollections (if Major B.. Sticknely, hao often sat at the samer table,T13




i8                        HISTO:RY Cs o   E'OT WAYNTE
with them, are still quite fresh. lr. Stickney was a sterling pioneer and soldiser.
and did much for the alleviation of his cuuntry during, its infant strlugoles in the
west, ever attentive to the wants and sufferings of the red children of this locality,
as will have been seen elsewhere in this volume who, in many instances, came to
sad destitution and debasement through the use of intoxicating liquors, afew years
after the struggles of 181.2-14. Also of Colonel John Tipton and Colonel
John Johnson, two most patriotic, intelligent, energetic, and serviceable pioneer?
soldiers and citizens of the west-the former, for some years after the war of'129 a
resident at this point, and more or less constantly inl the society and at thle resi
dence of Mrs. S. and family; while the latter and family were long among her
warmest alnd best friends, and at whose house she resided while living in Piqua'5
Ohio, before coming to Fort Wayne-of these and many others that might be men -
tioned, would the space allow, including also many interesting incidents of those
early days, with some of which the reader is already fimiliar, her memory is yet
mlost clear.
In view   of the vast improvement that has taken place, within a few   years, in
-what to her and others of tlhe early pioneers here, was an uncultivated field, strewin
Nwith vast quantities of underbrush, with occasional heavy timber, knowing, and
known by every one in the region, AMrs. Suttenfield now finds herself in the opposite
extreme; and says she "knows no one now, and but few know         her" among the,great thrcng of new-comers in and about Fort Wayne; while the immense improvement in building, general culture, and itdustiaial pursuits, have conspired to sur1
rounid her with a busy air and tread that
Tell no more of those primitive days,
And cheery pioneer ways,
Iwherein, but a.few years since, she mingled so hopefully aind free.'With Gallagher, in his " Song of the Pioneers,'! how clih rfully can she, as7, v".ith
halting step," she moves forward, in2 view of
" Another laind more bright than this,'?
join hr the pleasing refrain-; A song for the early times out iwest,
And our green old forest home,
Whose pleasant memories freshly yet
Across the bosoml comee:
WTe shlunn'd not labor: when t'was due
We wrought with right good will;
And for the homes we won for them,
Our children bless us still.
We lived not hermit lives, liut oft
In social converse met;
And fires of love wese kindled theni
That burn on warmiy yet.
Our forest life was roulgh and ru'de
And dangers closed us roiund;
But here, amid the green old trees,
Freedom cas sought and found.
Oh, merrily pass'd the time, despite
Our wily Indian foe,
In tl-e days when wvo were pioneers,
Fifty years ago."
e'0 —
ALLEN HAMILTO ON.
One of the early settlers of Fort CWayne, was the late         Allen r[Hamilton
Mr. Hamilton was a native of Ireland, born in the corunty of Tyrone, in the year
1798. At the age of 18, meeting with a gentleman of some talent, who had blut
recently returned froln   a visit to America, young Hamilton listened with great
attention to the glowing deseriptloin of the New World-its free institutions, &c.,
and so thoroughly irnbuedl was he with the excellence and beauty of the newv country
over the vaters, that lie returned home to his aunt's, wMitlh whomi he was then living,




ALLEN -HAMILTON.                              19
with a full determination of seeking a home in America, and to emigrate thither just
as soon as his means would admit; and, accordingly, in July, 1817, having acquired
thlrough his own exertions and by the aid of friends, sufficient mneans to bring
him across the deep, with a small sum3 also to maintain him for a short period after
his arrival in the Canadas, or until such time as he should be able to obtain employment, lie set sail for Quebec, whither he arrived in clue course of time, and soon
presented himself to friends of his aunt, then residing there, who sought at once,
through the commendation of his aunt, to obtain employment for him. But he
seemed destined to meet with trouble and be deprived of the advantages presented by
the recommendation of his aunt and efforts of his friends; for, but a few days had
elapsed before he was taken sick with the ship fever, a disease that had prevailed
0on board the vessel that had brought him to Quebec. For six weeks young
Hamilton lingered with this fatal malady. Beeginning to show strong symptoms of
recovery at the expiration of this time, through his physician's advice, he sought to
reach a milder climate, and had only succeeded in reaching Miontreal, when he was
taken with a relapse of his recent attack of fever. His little means was now nearly
exhausted, and upon his recovery from the fever that had greatly'prostrated and
enfeebled him, he found himself with but a small sum over and above his physician's
fee; and desiring to reach Philadelphia, with no one to aid him in the procurance
of money he sold some of his most valuable wardrobe in order to obtain the
anecessary means for his journey to the city of Brotherly Love.
After mnany vicissitudes and a long and tedious journey afoot, lhe at length reached
Philadelphia. Without means and without friends, he wandered about the streets
in pursuit of employment, almost despairing of obtaining anything to bring him a
competency-still looking pale and haggard from his late illness. Butat length his
eyes fell upon a notice'for laborers, tacked " on the door of an iron store." It was
a moment of joy to him; yet the thought of his enfeebled situation flashed upon him,
and fears soon arose in his mirnd as to the probability of his being able to obtain
the position offered; for he had already, in his efforts and wanderings for a place,
been refused a situation " as a common porter on account of his delicate appearance.".From momentary distrust and. fear, his feelings rose to the height of unwavering
resolution and courage; and lie at once entered the iron store. A  benevolent
Quaker chanced to be the proprietor of the estabilishment. Young Hamilton soon
presented his claims, and having told his story, which was listened to attentively
by his new acquaintance, the Quaker gentleman promised his assistance; and but
about two days had elapsed before youngi Hamilton folund himself, through the aid
of his new benefactor, in "a clerkiihip, with a salary of one hundred dollars a year
and board."
With " an increased salary," our young adventurer remained with.his new employer till the spring of 1820, when he determined to -isit the west, with a view to
meeting a, cousin of the name of James Dill, who had formerly been a general in
the army. Learning that Mr. Dill resided in TLav;renceburgh, Ind., young Hamilton
soon made his vway to that point, and found his cousin in the position of Clerk of
the Dearborn County Court. Desiring[ "to prepare himself for the bar," young
-Hamilton soon proposed to his cousin to enter his ofice, "agreeing to write six
hours a day for his board and the use of his library; " which seems to have been
rseadily agreed upon.
Here young:Hamilton remained for some tinme, formning the acquaintance of many
-men of note, and, among others, tade the acquaintance of Hon. Jesse L. Holman,
then one of the Judges of the Supreme Court; and it was to the daughter of Judge'(-Ioiman, (MIiss Emeline J. Holman,) that Mr. Hamilton was subsequently united
in wedlock, —a nost amiable and intelligent woman, who still survives 3r. H.
Being induced, by Capt. Samuel C. Vance, to visit this famous military point in
1823, Mr. Hamilton was so much pleased with the general aspect of the country
surrounding, and especially with the beauty of the scenery, about the confluence of
the St. Milfary and St. Joseph, besides perceiving many advantages of a desireable
nature, he soon concluded to take up his abode here for the future. Captain Vance,
a short tine previous to his departure for Fort Wayne, having been appointed
Register of the Land Office, then located here, AMr. Hamilton expressed to him his
determination to remain he-re, and at once entered the land office as a deputy register, where he also' pursuei d his legal studies, with a view of being admitted to the




20                     -HISTORY OF. ORT WVAYN:E
mnr as soon as the naturalization laws of the country would permit.'3 Bat the country
beimno yet very thinly populated, and i th  i  nng the law business would hardly prove
remunerative, he abandoned further preparation as a. lawyer, and subsequently
turned his attention to that of merchandising —-lavlong, through'" his good character7
)een enabled to purchase a small stock of goods on credit."  This occurred about
a vear after his adcvent here withl Capt. Vance.  is stock was sm all, andc the trade
was: principaily with the Indians, who were then very numerous here-perhaps
thirty to every white man in the region.
In his newVt eaterprise, he W as quite succe sful, anl'n  two years later, he was enabled
to bring hither a very extensive stock of goods, withl capital and credit largely
increased.
A..ssociiating himself, at an early period of his business relations here, with Cyrus
shTaber, Esq., rtecntly o0' Log, asport, ind., unl1der the title of HI-atIilton & Talber,
I.r.'Hanilton now Cadvlanced ra.pidly in mtterlil wealth andt inlauence; and the
firm of Haiuiltoni & Taber long enjoyed an extens ive and enviable reputation and
eredit.
Possessin  l mauch of thle tact an] good n   atre of Sir AV: n. John~son, with whocm
the reader is already familiar, Mr. HaEnilton early won the confidence and friendiseip of th3e Iacdiansa, and wta especially liked antd adi'red by the Miniamies, who
aarly and for yea. s confided their b i)usine is alfli'rs to hi m. Chief Richardvillei'during
aeveral years prior to his demliso, in 184l., had enltrusteC his agLtiirs to the k'eeping of
Mr. Hlainilton, a nd never ventur'et upon any enterprise, loegal transaction, or busine.'. ailair of any kind, in his own. behalf or that of hiis tribe, without first consultilng
his friend Hi., nlton; landli the result was, that immensie su1m:n of molne1y were' n(ot
onty placed in his charge by t Ie lnd:tans, but large anoints were often disbursed
among them by him. iKnowing the Indian char..acter wxell, and their fondness for'
liauor, it often occurred, wihen they came to town, and desired to get'-squabby," they
would call upon Mr. -I-ilclton for sho-nia.; but, instead of giving thetn  money at
sach times, he would often persuade theml to accept of something else, in order
to discoutrage their thirst and desire for liquor; for which they would runhesitatingly
Bpeand all their money, if even, anmountingc to hundreds of clollars, in a few days,
In this way, and for this reason he oftenf induced them to take g(oods, and such articles that would serve them as clothing, &c., rather than see them  throce their
money away ore liquor, and then lie about drlunk, or, being maddened and bewildered by the liquor, kill or dangerously wound each other in the broils rend petty
anmiosities, sure to be awakened when intoxicated.
That Mr.. H[amilton wa s largely indebted to the Indians for the mnjor part of
his wealth and business success, he often averred in his life time; but while this is
true, it is clear that the Indians were long and largely in his debt for the great
care and attention he always bestowed upon them, in transacting their business
afftirs, givill themi niuclh kindly advice, &c., during many years subsequent to
their removal beyond the Mississippi, in 1846; and the Iridians ever, to the time of
their departare, for the west, and to the day of Mr, Hamilton's death, held him in
hioh esteem..Ia 1824, Mr. Hamilton received the appointment of Sheriff, for the purpose of
organizing the county of Allen; which office, by a subsequent election by the peope, he held for two yetrs. In 18302 he was chosen county clerk, and rermained in
hlis position seven years. Inr 1824, coimmissioners having been chosen " to ne(otiate
a treaty with the \liamies," M r'. Himilton wtas chosen Secretary of the commeissionars; and in- 1838, being again tendered the secretaaiyship, he declined to accept it.
In 1840i though politically opposed to the tadministration of Mr. Va'n Buren, who
wtas thenl President of the LT.., Ir. j Hamilton was appointed a conmmissioner wvithl
others, to treat with the li iamie iendians in tlhe extinguishment of their liend ciaiilms
in Indiana, and to induae tihem to remove to Kansas; which terminated agreeably
o thie wislhes of the governmeentt. XIn these latter relations, in view of his great
nitiuence withi the Indians, IMr. Hamilton proved m,)st servicable to the State and
gtovernment. Constantly exposed, as they were here, to the whisky barrel and its
debalsing, influences, Mlr.  tmitLilton readily saw that they im-st soon be destroyed as a
p.Qop9le, if they renmained lunder its inicilence; and he lhumanoely souigt t,) induce
itb ei' withdlra al to a point westwveatr i   whre thery would see less of ithe traic, and
AWp a larger anld moroe abunidant field fbr the purnsuit of their favorite mooi of




ALLEN    HAMILTOLN                           21
life- that of lhunting fand fishing; and readily succeeded in inducing a large mnaas
of them to leiave for the west.
Daring the administration of General Harrison, in 184-1, Mhr. Hamilton was appointed agent of the Miiamies, which position h he  ld till 1844, when he resigned.
Some $300,000 or $400,000 were disbursed by MrI. Hamilton durino the period of
this aency, to tthe satisfaction of both the governmient and the Indians of the
time.
Accustomed to frequent association with Chief iEichlardville, they enjoyed many
a jocular contest. On one occasion, some years ago, Mr. Hamilton was ridine avery spirited, fine-looking horse along Columbia street, and the Chief, who then
had a trading house about where stands the store of Messrs. Heustis & Hlamilton,
in accordance with quite a prevalent custom iwith thl Indians of the timne, when
they saw anything that pleased them very much, taking a fancy to the animal,
cried out: " I strike on that horse, Mir. Hamilton.'  Seeing the Chief had the advantage of him in the "strike," Mr. Hamilton at once alighted and handed the
horse over to the future care and keeping of the Chief, who, according to the custom,
at'once became the bona-fide owner of the horse. The next " strike' necessarily
fell to M3r. Hamilton, and he was not long. indifi'erent to the right now in his possession. So, some time subsequent to this "strike" of the Chief, he and Air. Hamlilton were riding together along the Wabash, where the Chief had several very fine
reserves of land, one of which, particularly, drew the attention of Mr. Hamilton,
and he at once exclatimed to Richardville: " Chief, I strike on this section."
X' vell," said the Chlie, " I nmlke you a. deed for it. but we'll not strike any more.''
Mr1. Hamnilton got the land; and though the Chief had the first " strike," yet Mr.
IHamilton certainly had the largest. But the matter ended in the greatest good
feeli ng.
A convention for the revision of the Constitution of the State of Indiana being
called in 1850, AMr. Hamilton was chosen a memirber, over a. very popular Democratic competitor, by a large mlijo ity, which was a marlked evidence of the esteem in
which he was then held by the people. In the convention 1Mlr.. received the
appointment of: Chairman  of the committee. on currency and banking."' Amiong
other important measures brought forward and adopted by this convention, was
that of a provision for the establishment of free banking institutions, in which MIr.
Hamilton wielded a most salutary influence; and the general proceedings of the
convention were signalized by miany wise and beneficial enactments, in all of which
Mi/1r. H. took anl active part. Not possessed of great oratorical powers, he readily
devoted himself to wor k- was an active w.ore:icyg memeber-and made his points
tell, whenever he presenterd themr for consideration.
In the summer of 1857, Mr. Hamilton visited Europe-amnonC other places the
home of his boyhood, where he remained till the summer of the following ySar. Soon.
after his return hoime he was chosen, by a handsome majority, representative in the
State legislature, which position he continued to hold during the whole term of election(four yearS), much to the satisfaction of the people generally of this section of the
State —and here iagin, hle was a workingie member,-striving on all occasions, where
rattt;ers of general or special pubilic inserest camen up for attention, to devote himself to the achievement of " the greatest good to the greatest number."
For some -years after the expiration of his senatorial terml, he continued to devote
hitnself to his tusiness relaxtions in Fort Wayine; had been for some years P1esident of the Branch Bank of Incldina, which was locacted at Forit iWayne some years
previous to the convention already referred to; and the name of ALLEN HIIANxrON
is still 4iamiliarly associated with the banking interests of Fort TtWayne-the old
familiar banking-house of "Allen Haimilton & Co.," slill retaining the name Cnd
title of the old firm.
Being novT possessed of ample means, including a considerable amount of real
estate,-a comliortiable and be.autiful home, with numerous advantages in alin st
every material point of view that might relate to business, politic1l or social distinction-warm friends, and a coommanding position as a man of marked integrity,
intelligence, anld good natulre, he was enabled to look back upon his trying' advent
in the TNew World, and his first "small beginnings " at the village of IPort WVayjti.e
-with no little interest. The:',::'  "tide in tho affairs of men,
\Vlhich, takou at the flood, leads on to fortune,"




22                        1 HIrSTOnY OF F OrlT WAYNE.
had of late years signally favored him; end once fairly before the current of success,
he seemed to have moved resolutely forward, gathering strength, at every turnadding continually to his little fund still larger anmounts, until at length he was able
to count his hundreds of thousands, and, finally, in August, 1864, died a prosperous
banker, and a most worthy citizen of a noble and worthy counltry.
MRS. EMELINE GRIS WOLD.. —-0 —This eldest of the few remaining pioneer motherls of Fort Wayne,who came to this
point at a very early day, is now in her seventy-sixth year. She( is of Feach origin, and was born in Detroit Mlichigan, in 1792. As the reader will already halrvo
seen, she came to Fort 5~aayne as early as i807, with her grancfather and grandmother, Batis Maloch and vife, the former being attracted hither in the capacity of a
trader, this then being,' as it hal been for some years before, and so continued for
many years after, a noted trading post with the Indians.
At the time of her advent here, she was a sprightly gili of sixteen.  Her naiden
rname was Sheptaun. It was not the intention ofi her fiiends to remain permanently
here when they came; but the scenery and everything in the region, though wild
and uncultivated, proved so agreeable to them, and the trade that had called them
hither so profitable, that they concluded to make their future home here; and at
once located near the fort.
From an early period after their settlement here,having sometime subsequently been united to a M}r. james Peltier, long a trader with the Indians of the
northwest;, and much liked by thilbm,-the subject of this sketch became a great
favorite with the Indians of this locality; and their warm regard for her enabled
her to wield a most potent influence over their actions during many years of
frontier life in this section of the northwest. Many of her narrations are indeed
most thrilling and interesting.
Some time prior to the siege of 1812, some of the occupants of the garrison had
received an invitation to join a pleasure party at the house of a French family, a
short distance down the nTaumee, an d being somewhat fearful of the Indians then
lurking about, and many of therr by no means friendly towards the Americans,
the young Miss Sheptaun, the subject of this sketch, was placed in the lead to shield
the party from harm, should the Indians attempt to molest them. Leaving the
fort, the party had not proceeded far in the direction of their place of destination,
when some of the unfriendly Indians caulght sigh of them, and rushed suddenly
upon them, intending to kill themr.  he Americans at once began to huddle about
their leader and protectoress. Upon a near approacih t t he party, the Indians
suddenly recoigized their friend and falvorite, Madlamoselle S., who at once insisted
that her friends must not be hurt or disturbed. The Indians now began to imake
some effort to sieze and strike the Americeans, sa;,Sing to her in their tongue, (-for
she could freely talk with therl in their ovwn language,) that if it were not for her
they would kill the Americans. But she finally prevailed upon them to withdraw,
and the party, much rejoiced, soon proceeded again on their way down the lMaumee,
arriving safely at the house of the French fimily they had started to visit and join
in the festivities in vier, enjoyingis themselves for several hours, and returning again
in safety to the fort in the evening. Had the party thus ventured upon a pleasure
excursion alone, or for any other purpose gone out of the garrison, at this period, it
is not improbable tha ththey would all have been killed by the Indians. Such was
1he voung Miss Sheptaun's control over the savge men at ie-ki-ong-a at the time.
Sometime subsequent to this event, some unfriendly Indians made an attacl upon
the fort. At this time she'was alone in the hut occupied by herself and friends,
the latter being then absent. I-Iavin g made a sally upon the fort, a small party of
Indians passed down tlIe hill, to the northwest of the garrison a short distance,
where the hut in which the subject of our sketch then resided, and stepped into
the cabin, where they unexpectedly found their favorite alone. Instead of raising
the tomahawk to kill her-as was then and formerly often the case when mneet



W. G. AND G.'W. EwING.                            g
ing a white male or femlale under similar circumstances-and w   dould doubtless
have been the result, in this instance, had   any other than    the fanmily
of their friend lived  there, —they simply asked her for something to eat
which she freely and pleasantly gave them. Having partaken of the food set before
them, the Indians signifi3d that they were sleepy, and desired to lie down; and
the savage party at once stretched themselves upon the floor of the cabin, where
they soon fell asleep, and coAtinued to snore heavily for some hours, when, fearing
lest some of the garrison might come down, and see theml thus quietly enjoying
themselves, i'n her presence; she awoke them and told them they had better go away,
as some of the men from the fort might come down and shoot them; to vwich they
wNillingly assented, and soon passed out of the cabin-door, and strode away across
the common and the St. Alary, toward the northwest, leaving their heroic friend
and favorite again alone and unmolested.
Let the reader go back to those frontier times for a moment, and look about him.
"WA'hat a wild scene is presented about the point w-here now so m.uch of life and civilization are want to be seen and enjoyed. Wrhat a contrast between the present and the
FortWayne of that period,-a lonely garrison,with a few indifferent huts nearit, far
removed from the confines of civilized life; surrounded by a wily foe, daily
seeking an opporttlnity to destroy the inmates of the Post, and make themselves
masters again of this old rendezvous and scene of their early associations-what a
contrast, I repeat, do we behold between the scenes through which the subject of
this sketch so long ago passed, and the aspect presented to-day in the same locality
and for miles around this old center of Indian life in the Northvest! Yet our
pioneer mother, the once sprightly 3M'lle Sheptaun, has lived on through all the
years of this great change, and, with a few others of  long ago," is with us
to-day, to tell the story of the past-to tell the little ones, as well as the older folk,
of those romantic days in the west, when the country was yet a vast wilderness,
and the red man was lord of the forest-feared by day as well as. by night.
But let us return to our story again. The Indians had not long been gone fromn
the cabin of our heroine, before aln officer of the fort, seeing nione of the Indians
about, ventured down to the little cabin to ascertain whether its inmates had been
killed or not. Finding her still safe, and hearing her story of the manner in which
she got rid of the warriors, he at once insisted that she must go intto tihe fort, where
she would be more secure, whither she went, and where, w vith her uncle, David
Bourie, and other friends, she resided for some mieonths, prior to and durin.g the
famous siege of Fort Wayne, in'1812.
Though now in the decline of life, her mem'iory is yet quite acute, and when in a
talkative mood, she readily and frequently details to her friends and acquaintances
miany interesting scenes and inlcicdents of her early datys at Fort Wa.vne.
THE EWINC S —W.        VG. AND G- W. EWING.
— o —
Most prominenit among the early settlers of Fort'Y'ayne, was the Ewing f:nily;
and having been favorecd with a m, nuscript accouont of the family, written as early
as 1855, by Col. G. W. Ewing, deceased, -lwhile on a visit to WVashington City, 1). C.,
I here introduce a portion of the same, wshich will be reald witlh no little interest
by the Iany surviving frieinds of the Colonel and his e.steenmed brother, Wim. G.
Ewing —while the stranger will find muchl to gratify his curiosity in its perusal.
5"?WArSHINGTON CITY, D. C.,
"April 24th, 1855.' Being the last and only renmaining one of the four brothers. and in view of the
iuncertainty of life, I have; thought that it -would be but right. enld that it was
perhaps, a'duty I owe to those who survive me, that I should make a statenent of
reominisellces and facts with.in my knowledre, r;elative to the genealogy, rise, and
progress of the family to which I belong.




24                    HISTOiY OF FORT WAY NE.
" The absence of any record respecting my own parents, and of their fore-fatbers,
has always been a source of regret to me, as well as to my lamented brother.
"We could glean but a meager kcnowledge of them, only as it was gathered,
incidentally, in conversation, from time to time, with our beloved parents. Even
this, we failed and neglected to perpetuate, for my noble brothers were yet in the
prime of manhood, and counted not on dying so soon.
" But they have all sunk to their final rest, and I am spared. I will not therefore longer defer, but will aim to make a plain statement from memory relative to
the Ewing family.
" My father, Alexander Ewing, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, (the
county not recollected,) about the yeoar 1763, of Irish parentage-the third son(his father's namle was also Alexander) had two older brothers named WYilliam
and Samuel.
" About the year 1769, my father. then a lad of some sixteen years of age, attracted
ov the spirit of patriotism, which, at ttlat trying period, governed every true
A.merican, eprepaired to Philadelphia, and there enlisted in the continental army,
and renmained in service during the last three years of the glorious Revolutionary
war. I often heard my brave sire speak of the incidents of that wlAr, and of his
love and veneration for Gen. Vashington; but like many other young and thoughtless men who served in the Revolutionary war, he failed to preserve the written
evidence of his discharge, or to leave behind him any statement showing what regiment he served in or the name of his colmander.
"The next I remember of my father's history is, that some years after peace was
restored, perhaps as late as the year 1787, he was engaged in a trading expedition,
in what was then called'the far west,' among the Six Nation Indian tribe. He
erected a trading post on'Buffalo Cr.eek,' then an entire wilderness, and extended
his winter trading expedition, after furs and peltries, into the country of the
Alleghany mountains, encountering all the privations and hardships that are
usual in a frontier life.
" tVhere once stood his humble trading cabin, now stands the great and growing
coimmnercial city of Bufialo.
" A few years later, and my father had settled down, prosperously, on a large
and splendid farm, on the Genessee fiats, near the villalge of' Big Tree.' This is in
the State of New York, on the oGenessee river, some sixty miles above the city of
Rochester. There he courted and married my mother, whose maiden name was
Charlotte Griffith, the daughter of Win. Griffith, a most excellent and moral man,
of Welsh descent, and a farmer by vocation. The nuptials of my beloved parents,
were celebrated at or near Avon Springs, not far fi om what is now known as Genesseeo. I cannot state the year that they were married, but think it must have
been in 1795, or there abouts. An aunt of mine, my father's youngest sister,'TKaty,' or Catherine Ewing, was married, at the same time, to the Hon. John
Jones. This uncle and aunt continued to reside on the Genessee flats, for many
years; raised a large famtily of sons and daughters, and finally, both died there.
These Jones are first cousins of mine-my mother had also several sisters and broth -
ers; two of her sisters resided near Genesseeo, and do yet if not dead. One was
married to a. ir. bquires-the other to Hon. John White. They have both raised
large and highly respectable families.
"In the year 1802, my parents, in consequence of reverse fortune-my father
having lost his splendid farm and residence, in consequence of security debts,removed from the State of Newv York, and settled on the river Raisin, in the territory of Michigan, where now stands the village of Monroe, a beautiful and flourishing town. There my brothers, Wmn. G. and Alex. H. Ewing, were born-and
there too, I was born. in 1807, my parents moved to the State of Ohio, and settled
n the small frontier town of' Washington,' now known, as Piqua-there, and at
Troy, a town seven miles south of Piqua, we resided, until the year 1822. At
Piqua, my sister Lovina was born, and at Troy, my sister Louisa. —(I forgot to
state, in the proper place, that Sophia C., our elder sister, and the first born of our
family,-and Charles W. Ewing, our eldest brother, were born in the State of New
York, previous to our parents removing from the Genessee country.)
In the war of 1812, my father volunteered and accuimpanied the Northwestern
armny, under command of nWm. H. Harrison. He was alon;g in the fall campaign.




W. G. AN) G. W. EWING.                          25
of 1813, when the great war chief, Tecumseh, and his British allies, were defeated
at the celebrated battle of the Thames. My father attached himself, as a volunteer,
to the spies, commanded by (Capt. Wmn. Griffith, my mother's eldest brother, a
brave, and gallant officer. He received two balls, in the skirmish at the crossing of
the river at the Moravian Towns, a few days before the fintl action, but they were
not mortal. James Knaggs, another uncle of mine, by marriage, to one of my
mother's sisters, and who is yet living rear Monroe, Michigan, was also a spy, under
Capt. Griffith.
"At the battle of the Thames, which, if my recollection is right, was fought on
the 5th day of Oct., 1813-the great Shawnee war chief, Tecumseh, was killed.
He was a brave, gallant, and noble Indian, and an implacable enemy of all the' pale
faces,' but not cruel, nor savage. He would not do a mean action. I saw him
frequently, in 1810, and though then a lad only seven years old, still I recollect
him well-heard him speak in cour cil to Gen. Harrison, before the war of 1812
broke oit. He was a native orator, a most graceful and elegant-looking Indian.
My father and uncle Knagg found and recognized his body, very shortly after the
battle of the Thames was over, for they both knew him w ell. In a short time afterwards, his person. being recognized and known, the Kentuckians cut all the skin
off his body, to carry'home as trophies, to be used, as they said, for' razor straps.'
" My uncle, Capt. WWm. Griffith, was in the massacre at Chicago, in August,
1812, where Capt. Wells, and nearly the entire command, of two or three companies
-of infantry, were overpowered and nearly all massacred, by a very large force (supposed to have been three thousand) of Indians. They showed no quarters, except
to a very few, whom they made prisoners. Capt. Griffith was among the latter,
though he had fought gallantly during the whole fight. He was believed, by the
Indians, to be a Frenchman —for he spoke the Canadian French language-and on
this account his life was spared.
"The Northwestern Indians have always entertained a great friendship for the
French, and call them their'brothers.' Under this disguise, Capt. Griffith was
spared from the tomahawk, and he soon after imade his escape, and returned home
in safety, but immediately again joined the army, and marched against the combined British and Indians, under Gen. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky. Capt.
Griffith was a brave and gallant officer. He died in 1824, and was buried amid
the ruins of old Fort Meigs. He left one daughther and two sons.
" In the spring of 1822, my parents moved fromi Troy, in the State of Ohio, to
Fort Wayne, in the State of Indiana. On the first day of January, 1827, my
father died, aged about sixty-three ye ars. His disease was asthma, and other infirmities, produced-by a life of hardship and adventure. He was a imai of limited
education, but possessed a strong will and indomitable energy; with him, to will
was to do. He was a manl of warm impulses-a true fiiend, and a bitter enemy,
He was proud of his family, anhl delighted in the well *doing of his children; was
proud of his sons, and rejoiced in their prosperity. He was a Free Mason, and
bore the title of'Colonel.' His personal appearance was commanding. He was
six feet high; straight, athletic, and active, when young. His complexion was
rather light, his hair was auburin, and his eyes were blue. His weight, up to the
age of forty years, did not exceed, perhaps, 1 70 lbs; but in after years, he became
large, and somewhat corpulent, weighing over 200 lbs. His miortal remains were,
by his own request, interred on a'small mound, on the prairie, (his own land,) just
west of what was then the village of Fort Wayne. This sacred spot is marked by
a small oak tree, still standing-but in consequence of the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal, in 1833, which passed very near to ih's spot, my brother,
(Wmi. G. Ewing,) and myself, thought it an unfit place for the final reposing of the
remains of our father; so, in 1847, we erected a vault, known as the  Ewing
Vault,' situated in the public grave yard immediately south of the' Ewing addition'
to Fort Wayne, and there we caused to be deposited our father's mortal rema'insenclosed in a zink coffin. Tthe remains of our dear mother, and eldest brother,
Charles XW. Ewing, and of his little infant son, are also there-in zink coffins; and
lastly, the remains of my last, and most lamented brother, Win. G. Ewing, are there.
"  nxt proceed to speak of nmy most excellent and estimable mother, whose
goodness'I shall never forget. My imother, (Charlotte Ewing,) was many years
younger than my father. She was, in   11 relations of life, a most worthy and




26                    E3HISTORY OF FORT WArYNE.
excellent woman-af good neighbor, a kind mother, and possessed of great goodness of disposition, as well as energy of character. Her industry and solicitudo
for the success and happiness of her children, knew no bounds. It was the grand
object of her honorable life. She clung to her children like a true mother, and no
matter what the cold world said or did, she never, for a moment, withdrew froml
them, her love. She remained single, after the dea'th of our father, and resided
alternately among her children, eachi viing with the other for her society.
" After my marriage, which was on the 10th of December, 1828, she resided much
with me, and it was the happiest period of my life. She lookeci upon my wife, as if
she had been her own daughter, and, for the love she bore me, took great interest
in her. In return, my wife often, told me, that she loved my mother better than
she loved her own mother.
"On the 18th day of March, 1843, my good mother departed this life, at the residence of her eldest daughter, Mirs. Sophia C. Hood-and within an hundred yards
of where I then resided. She lingered for imany weeks, and finally died,r from the
effect of a large abscess, which had formed on her right side, internally. It was a
nmournful satisfaction to me, that I happened to be at home, and where I could,
and did attend in person, on her, during all the time of her last sickness.
"She died, as she had lived-in peace, and with good-will to all. She was not,
strictly speaking, a member of any christian denomination, at the time of her
death, though she had, in former years, been a member of the Methodist churcl,
and was always pious, and exceedingly moral in all her acts. She was a firm believer in the christian religion, and in a future existence, and I think she expressed
her regrets to her daughter, Mrs. Hood, that she had not attached herself, formally,
to some church and continued through life as a member-this was on her deathbed, during her last sickness. She died in iMarch, 1843, at the age of sixty-three
years, having survived my father, and remained a widow some sixteen years. Her
remains were temporarily interred in the grave yard at Peru, Ind., adjoining Mrs.
lood's residence, iwhere she died, but were afterwards removed to Fort Wayne and
deposited in our family vault there. Her life had been a virtuous and well spent
one, and she died without reproach, respected and esteemed by all who knew her.
" My parents left a valuable property, and the estate has been divided equally
among the seven heirs-namely, their four sons and three daughters.' 
t-                            -' *           The Ewing
family are of Irish extraction-we are descended from Irish patriots who bore
our name, and who were obliged to leave their native country because of their
republican sentiments.
Some of them settled in Pennsylvania-so nme in Kentucky-and some in Tennessee. The eon. Tbos. Ewing, of Ohio, is distantly related to us-so are most of
the Ewings of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri; and it is a remarkable circumstance, and fact, which I may here insert, without being guilty of egotisn, that I
never yet saw, or knew, a man of this family, of EwiTngs, (tand I have seen and
know very many of them), who was not at mian of m-ore than ordinary talents, and
and ability, and many of them, were prominent, and distinLguishedl men. The Hon.
Thos. Ewing is one of the most distinguished lawyers and statesmen of this coun try;
was Secretary of the Treasury, under Gen. HIarrison's administration, in 1841, an d
iagain in 1853, was Secretary of the Interior, under Gen. Taylor. Has several times
represented his State, (Ohio) in the U. S. Senate. Hon. Wvvm. Lee D. Ewing,
one of the Kentucky branch, was also a prominent imain-was once U. S. Senator
from the State of Illinois, where he resided up to the time of his death. Hon..
Andrew   Ewing wvas a Representative in Congress, from Tennessee, and the Hon.
Prebley Ewing was also a Representative in Congress, from Kentucky; and thus
I mnioht go on, speaking of others, of the name and kindred, who have filled, with
sicgnal -ability, mainy places of honor and responsibility; but I will not enlargemt  object beingsimply to give, from memory, a simple Lland truthful family narrative, which may survive me, and be read with interest, by my children and their
descendents,-and I cherish the fond hope that they will aim toemulate those who
have preceded tlhem, andc add to our family name and reputation, rather than, by unworthy conduct, sinlk down. and detract from it. I wish that they wvould not only
read iland study the course mand conduct of my lamented brother, Wmn. G. Ewvin,
and of Alex. H. Ewinga, and mlyself, but I want them to appreciate tlhem, and ai
to profit by our examples."




W.  G. AND G. W. EwiING.                         27
The names of the seven hoirs  entioanedin theforegoing, nwere Hon. Charles Wayne
Lwving, some years ago President-Ju dge of the 8th Judicial Circuit of the State of
Indiana; and ever esteemed, and yet extensively and kindly remembered ior his
many excellent, intelligent traits of character; but who came to avery unhappy
end, several years since, by destroying his own life in a fit of sorrow, brought on
-by an ill-advised mnarriage — a want of compatibility of temperaments; Wim. G.
E'wing, formerly Judge of the Allen county Probate Court, also Ilucllbeloved andc
regarded for his fine intellectual qualities and. spirit of generosity; Alexander H,
Ewing, for some years a very successful merchant at Cincinnati, Ohio'; Geo. W.
Ewing,' widely known for his fine business and general intellectual qualifications
Sophia C. Ewing, relict of Smallwood -Ioel, Esq; Lovina, deceased, some years ago
married to the Hon. Geo. B. Walker, of Logansport, Ind.; Louisa, consort of Ir.
Charles E. Sturgis, of Fort Wayne. Charles WV and Sophia C. were born at Big
Tree; Lovina and Louisa Ewing at Troy, Ohio.
Aks early as 1827, AVmn. G. and Geo.. Ewingl:  began their business operations,
w hichhave since become so extensive anCd widely knov-n, under the title of " W. (-.
&    G. W'. Ewing; " and " by their articles ofcopartnership, all their estate, of any
name and nature, became, and continued to be, the common property of the firm,
until the 11th day of July, 1854, when the co-partnership ceased by the death of
William."   Ever reposing the largest confidence in each other, "no settlement of
accounts ever took place between ther."
In connection with their general business transaction  thethey established, at
different times, a number of "side partnerships and branches," in Fort Wayne,
Logansport, and La Gro, Ind.; in Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsini; and it is said "their business extended from bEurope to the  eocky mountains."
Wiith numerous and faithful empl)oyees, their namne was long familiar " in every
town and halmlet from the Alleghany to the Rocky mountains " —embracing extensive buildings and property in the cities of Chicago, Ills., and St. Louis, Mo.; also,
under the firm of T. G. - G.  E wing, largee business operations were carried
on at Westport, MiYo.
After the demise of Wim. G. Ewing, 1lth of July, 1854, while on a visit to Lake
Superior, Geo. W'.   gave imuch of his time to the winding up of the extensive
business relations of the firm; and, aided by his agents and confidential friiends,
l~ess. Miner &c Lytle; by the 10th of October, 1865, made " a full, final, and conmplete
settlement to the satisfaction of the administrators and legatees of his brother's
estate," and wlhich was " confirnued at the Mlarch Tierl  (1866,) of the Coliimon
Pleas Court of the county of Allen," and the estate of Wm. G. Ewring closed."
At quitean early day, Col. Geo. W.t. Ewing wvas engaged in trade, and incdeed begnan
his first business operations anmong, the Shaswanloe Indians, establisling a tradingpost at the famou.s Indian village of Wa'nughpocanata, Auglaize county, Ohio. in
1826, he attended the treaty of the Miarmiie Indians; and seems here to have laid the
foundation of his subsequent bulsiness success. after thlis treaty, others were held
at different points in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, whicih le also attended,
and' took a prominent part.;
Being unitedI in wedlock to MTiss Harriet Bourie, in 1828, Col. Ewing now settlecl
down at the village of Fosrt Wmayne, wher he he remained till 1830, when he, wvith
his family and a few others then livingo here, remloved to the Waba'sh, at the mouCth
of Eel, river, where they founded the present thriving city of Logansport, Ind.
Quitting this point in 1839, with his:1lmily, he took up his residence at Peru, Ind.,
where he remained till October, 18416; whven he removed to St. Louis, Mo. Iere,
in January, 1847, he lost his wife:, iand where he continued to reside till the death of
his brotlher, XWilliam G. Eming. It now becamle necessary tha t he should return'.The following, found among some of his papers after his decease, which refers, inr
part, to the MSS. from which the foregoing extracts are made, %iwill show much of the
finer feeling that imbued hims i,.mcm' liJf'e. "' It is Imy intention," sfays he, " to complete this
facmily sketch, (but hs died, leavingr it unfinished) if I can ever get time —and I wvill
revise it, and divest it of all unkind expressions, for I would not transmit any thing of
that kind to a fature genermat.ion. It would be in badU tste. The gooc that men do lives
after them, whilst their errors should be buried with themn in their graves. To err is
human, and where is that man who never errs? To forgive, when malice, and hat,'ed,
detraction, and ingratitude, have done their worst, is manly and noble."




28                     HISTORY OF FORT WVAYNE.
to Fort Wayne, to attend to the business affairs of the firm here; and, in the latter
part of December, 1865, he came back to his old home and the scenes of his early
association; but his period of physical life now seemed destined to be of short duration. Upon his arrival in Fort'Wayne, he found himself greatly afflicted
with bilious pneumonia, from which he sometime after had only partially recovered, when heart disease took a severe hold upon him; and after a lingering and
most painful illness of some five months, on the 29th day of May, 1866, his spirit
passed quietly away to the brighter land beyond the grave
The estate of Wmn. G. Ewig was quite extensive, amounting to some $750,000,
200,000 of which fell to his excellent wile, who still survives him; while the children
of G. W. fell heir to the main bulk of his large fortune of about 1,225,000 dollars;
and Messrs. Miner & Lytle, by certain provisions of the will left by the Colonel, are supervising the erection of many large and handsome buildings in
Fort Wayne, Chicago, St. Louis, and elsewhere; the income from which, with
other property of the estate of Geo. Wa., uIust reach a vast increase and value
during. the next half century.
iBut the scene has shifted; and these early pioneers have all passed away, leaving
their stocks and bonds behind them, let us hope, wisely to be enjoyed, and judiciously, humanely employed and dispensed.
EARLY GERMAN SETTLERS OF FORT WAYNE.
What was written near a half century ago of the German, is equally true of him
to-day: He is a " man of the world; he lives under every say, and conquers every
obstacle to his happiness. His industry is inexhaustible."  Poland, Hungary, and
Russia were years ago indebted to German elnigrants; and the same may be said,
in a great measure, of America-that almost universal characteristic of the German people, rectitude, united with an unswerving perseverance and industry, at an
early period of our country's history, found their way to this land of promise in
the continued influx of German emigrants; and while they, as a general rule,
have prospered well, and in very many instances grown rich, the country has been
greatly benefited and improved by this stable people.
Long noted for their liberal, philosophic sentiments, they are here, in America,
as in the old world, extensive readers and apt thinkers. Sociable and talkative as
a class, they know no fetters for the honest conscience of any nman, and would as
readily measure swords with the opponent of their naltional or individual freedom,
as drink a glass of choice Rhine wine with a beloved countryman.
As in the Old Vtorld, the works which they produced and still produce there, " in
watch and clock-making, in the aris of turnery, sculpture, painting, and architecture, are very wonderful," sc in the New TYorld of North-America, the German
every where stands high in his profession, what ever it may be.
"The character of men," says Goldsmith, " depends much on the government
under which they live. That of the Germans (of the Old World) has in general
as little brilliancy in it as the constitution of the empire.'  There
is one thing," continues he, "in the character of the Germans for which it is not
easy to account; that is loquacity. The French theniselves scarcely talk faster, or
are more communicative, whether they are or are not strangers to each other, than
these sons of the mnore northern regi.ons." And "they write," he adds " with no less
profusion than they talk, as their numerous authors and books can attest. The
peculiar turn of the Germans," he further remarks, "seems to be for philosophy;
they are distinguished frrnm all the nations of Europe for a cool, and generally just
judgement, united with extreme industry."
Everywhere in America, where there is population sufficient, you find the German newspaper; and books, in great quantities, are annually published in the Gernman language in this country; while vast quantities, of every description, are being
continually imported from the extensive publishing. house of Leipzig, Stuttgard,




EARLY GERMNAN SETTLERS O(F FORT WAYNE.                      29
Bremen, Berlin, and WVien, in Germany, as the capacious shelves of our German
fellow-citizens, Messrs. Siemon & Bro., of Fort Wayne, can well attest.
Here, as in the old German States we have tVhe two schools of religion, in many
parts of the country quite extensive, and, perhaps, for the size of the place and
settlement surrounding, none morc so than Fort Wayne and vicinity; and while
the German Protestants, as in the old country, are noted for their remarkable frugality, the German Catholics are here still distinguished for their frankness and
good-heartedness.
3Most conspicuous amnong the early settlers of Fort Wayne, many of whom
still survive, are the faimiliar names of J. and B. Trentman, Jacob and J. M.
Foelinger, A. ilfeyer, Geo. M'eyver, H. Niierman, John Orlff H. R. Schwegman, Dr.
C. Schmitz, Henry Baker, Jacob Fry, B: Phillips, C. Morrell, C. Nill, Louis Wolkie, S. Lau, H. Rudisill, A. Lintz. ltev. Dr. Sillier, Geo. Miler E. i Volemark, C.
Piepenbrink, D. Wehmer, Chas. and L. Baker, Chas. Muhler, and many others.
One of these early settlers gives an amusing account of his advent here. t laving
made his way up the Maumee with his family and what little husehold goods he
then possessed, he at length drew up about the center of the village, whhich then
consisted of a few indifferent log huts, scattered about the head of Columbia street
and the oldfort. The largest hospitality then (as, let us hope does now exist among
the citizens of Fort Wayne) prevailed among every class of citizens here  ever
a.nxious and ready, as they were, to attend to the wants of and entertain in their
best and kindest way, the miany emigrants and travelers seeking new homes in the
west, regardless of race or sect; lnd scarcely had our German friend halted, before
lie was greeted with the wtorsds "Lndslefute, viie gae.s,' by a kind old Pennsylvania
settler, Capt. Robt. Brackendridge, then register in the land otice here, who at once
pressed hiim to stop, saying they wanted imore settlers, and that here was a good
place to stop.
At this point, our new-comer enquired as to where Fort ~Wayne was, and how far
it was to that place; saying that he wislied to go there; to which Capt. B. replied
t.hat he was already in the place. Casting his eyes over the village, with both wonder and disappointment, at this announcesment, he exclaimed, with no little emphasis, "pshaw!"   But he stopped-is here to-day; and has seen, from year to year.
withsl many others, the little village, with a few indifferent log huts, as presenrted
on his advent here, between thirty and forty years ago, gradually expand into
wonderJul proportions, annually offering large inducemenits for the settlement here
of men of industry, enterprise, and honesty of purpose.
Of this hardy, thrifty class of people, many of them but recently from the Old
WSorld, and oth.irs from Pennsylvania, Fort Wayne, at an early day, was made up.
Early procuring small tracts of land, in some instances, and considerable sections
in others, in and about the present limits of Fort Wayne, with their usual indomitable will and perseverance, they began to hew down the tees, clear away and
burn the stumps anud underbrush, until at length, in unison witih other early settlers, of this section of the northwest, many beautiful andc fertile garcdens and fiarmis
began to appear on all sides; fruit trees were planted, and extensive orchards, in a
few years more, began to gladden the new-colners wiith abundance of choice fruits;
-while, as the ground upon which our beautiful city stands to-day becaime gradually
iepreped and made free of stumps and other impediments, in the form of sandhills, hazel-oushes, ponds. etc., new'buildings began gradually to appear, and many
comafortable dwellings, by the aid and energy of Germana labor, everywvhere served
to cheer the masses and encourage still greater efforts in building and general improvement. And so the phace has moved steadily on to its present growth and
prosperity of near thirty thousand inhabitantts, the miasses of our Germian fellowcitizens always busy with their bands, heads, and capital-aiding each other, planning new enterprises, erecting new edifices, and preparing the soil for the reception
of seedl and cultivation of tplants and herbs. The result has bNen glorious; and at
every side our improvements give prolsise of a still wider range of culture ancd getseral mlaterial atldvatncement in the future. Maany of the German settlers have now
been here between thirty and forty years —some of them poling their wa, t at the
period of thleir coming to this point, up the aMaurmee in pirogues to the then village
of Fort CWayne-lall quite poor in me-ans, but able of hand and willing of heart,
to wor/' —to till the soil, and build theonselves homes. Land being thenl quite cheap




30                     -HISTORY OF FORPT WAYFE.
many made small purchases, while others worked at their trades or hired* out as
common day and monthly laborers, as was then common among nearly all classes
of the early pioneer settlers of the'west, for then all was new, and work was to be
done by all, if a competency was to be gained, and the common necessities of life
procured. And to-day it would be difficult indeed to enter any of the various
machine and general workshops of Fort Wayne and fail to find the Germann unrepresented-indeed, in many of these extensive establishments a full score of these
hardy yeomanry of the Old Wlorld are constantly employed from year to year;
and are annually making purchases of lots in the city or its suburbs, and bulilding
thereon. and raising families; while mlany of the old German settlers have for years
largely prospered in various ways; a nd to-day are variously eongaged in extensive
business pursuits, and greatly esteemed by the masses of Fort Wayne for their integrity, intelligence, and broad spirit of liberality and love of order.
Such are the Germans of Fort Wayne; and'l:!ay their better sense of frugality,
perseverance, integrity, and:general spirit of industry and philatnthropic liberality
ever serve as worthy examples of emulation and regard for the gener'ations yet to
comne.
These lines are appropriate here. They tell in rhythm of the brave and noble
"'PIONTERS or THE WEST,"' who years ago sought homes in the western wilds,
and, amid hardships and dangers, laid the foundation of future greatness. They
are from the pen of Eliezer }Williamson, of Ohio, and were written as early as
1842:
Where now, Iask, is thatbold, daring band?
The honored fathers of this Western land:
They who first crossed Ohio's silvery wave,
And did unnumbered toils and dangers brave?
Though some of themn did bid the world farewell)
Some still survive, their matchless deeds to tell.
Though fleeting years have passed forever by
Since first they trod beneath this Western sky;
Yet they remember well those early days,
And view our country Now with grea t amaze.
The country THIEN was an unlbroken wild;
The " WESTERN WILDERNESS," it then was styled 
The Ohio theni sent forth a wild-like roar,
And dark, dense forests waved upon the shore
Along her strand the Indians then did dwell,
And oft was heard the wild and savage yell.
The mighty oak-proud monarch of the wood,
Upon these hills in stately grandeur stood.
Along these vales did ferocious panthers prowl,
And oft was heard the fierce wolf's frightful howi
But all these savage beasts have pass'd away,
And the wild Indians too-where now are they?
They've disappeared-1most of those tribes are gonoe
Like night's dark shades before the rising dawn.
Can we forget that brave and hardy band
Who made their homes first in this Western land?
Their names should be enroll'd on history's page,
To be perused by each succeeding age:
They are the fathers of the mighty West;
Their arduous labors heaven above has bless'dd
3Before themn fell the forest of the plain,
And peace and plenty followed in the train)
In vain would I attempt to bring to view
The dangers which those pioneers pass'd through.
The wintry winds in wildness round them blow,
And o'er them often rolls the drifted snow.
Upon the cold damp earth their blankets spread,
There they reposed-this was their only bed.
They often crossed great rivers, deep and wide,
Their frail canoes they paddled o'er the tide.
Through pelting stoirums and the descending snow,
1-1) --   ---  -—`' —-— a —  ~




ALLEN COUNTY AGRICULTUHAL SOCIETY-NO —             TEm         31
Though thinly clad, they still would onward go.
How many long and cheerless nights they pass'd
TJnsheltered from the cold and chilly blast!
For many years those hardships they endured,
And they to arduous toil became inured.
What lasting gratitude to the them we owe!'Tis from their toils our richest blessings flow.
Illustrious men I though siumberinglin the dust,
You still are honored by the good and just 
Posterity will shed a conscious tear,
And, pointing, say, " THERE SLEEPS A PIONEER."
-    0-o —
ALLEN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
-0 —       -
This society was first organized in 1852 for the encouragement of agriculturral
interests and domestic manufactures. Under the management of Hon. WVm.
Rockhill, I. D. G. Nelson, Lott S. Bayless, Win. Hamilton, F. P. Randall, DI. i. W.
Huxforrd, H. C. Gray, and others, it continued; with varying fortunes, intil 1860,
when, owing to the disturbed condition of affairs throughout the country, meetings
of members and annual exhibitions were discontinued. In 1859 a Horticultural
Society was organized by some of the members of the Agricultural Society, and in
1863, the two societies were united, forming one sssociation, under the above title.
The new Organization has been very successful, and, with weekly meetings, at their
iooms, in the Court House, at Fort Wayne, aided by a fine Library, their discussions, are doing a good work in directing the attention of the public to the most
improved system of agriculture and horticulture. The officers for the year 1868,
are Adam Link, President; F. P. Randall, Secretary; S. J. Housh, Treasurer.
— 0 —;o -.
REMARKS.
In the compilation, writing, and arranging of the material throughout this volume,
I have drawn freely from every available source, and have been most careful to accept
of those facts only that are well substantiated by previously published records and persons yet living whose recollections of many of the scenes and accounts.presented are
still quite fresh and clear. I would gladly lihae continued the "Sketches of Early Settlers of Fort Wayne," had I been supplied with the necessary material with which to
form the same, as I had frequently both publicly and privately expressed and desired
at an early day in the preparation of this work. But a failure to comply with this dosire is not to be attributed to neglect or indifference on the part surviving friendsc
and in view of a farther issue of the work, it is still my wish to receive at any time such
facts and reminisehces of the early fathers and mothers of Fort Wayne as maybe deemed interesting and valuable for this department of the volume.
The HiSTORY OF?FORT WAYNE could not perhaps have been prepared and sent forth at
a more favorable or propitious period. Having attained a wonderful, and let us hope, a
most valuable and lasting growth, with the prospects of, and earnest desire for, a still
wider, more beautiful and benificent range of culture in the future, we are to-day the
better enabled to look back upon the scenes and hardships of the Past, and to scan with
a more scrutinizing vision the perils and vicissitudes that beset the pathway of the
pioneers of the West; and the general connecting links of the work have been most
c(arefully preserved throughout, rendering it thereby most vauable in a general as well
as local point of view.                                           W. A. B.




Biography of General Anthony Wayne,::::::::   v
CHAPTER I.-Situation and primitive relations,: 
CIAPTER II.-Primitive accounts-The Mastedon —lndian habits and customsnanmes of tribes,:::::::    14
CHAPTER III.-Habits and customs continued-'-Indian dances —-irench settlements
-— Suggestions of Dr. Franklin —-Dances —-Peace-pipe —-An incident,:: 3
CHAPTER IV. —-De.ath of La Salle —-French stockade forts-Frexnch and Indian war
-— Death of Wolfe, and defeat of the French at Quebec,:   ~:       43
CHAPTER' VI. —-Condition of tribes after the French and Indian war —-The Delaware
Prophet -- British occupancy of forts —-Commencement of the Pontiac war,  57
CHAPTER VII. —-Siege of Detroit, and defeat of Pontiac —-Captain Morris at the
Miami village-.-Croghan's journal —-Death of Pontiac,::::    73
CHAPTER VIII. —-The war for Independence,::88
CHAPTER IX. —-Early pioneers —-   ovemenits of George Rogers Clark —-Capture of
K(askaskia —-Retaking of Vincennes —-La Balme's expedition,:     3
CHAPTER X. —-Emigration westward —-Territorial government —— Gamelin's journal —
Forsyth's narration —-General Cass' address —- Harnar's Expedition,::  10(
CHAPTER XI. —-Expedition and defeat of General Arthur St. Clair,::   131
CHAPTER XII. —-Relief of the frontier settlements —-General Wayne's appointment
and expedition..Battle of the Rapids...Erection of Fort Wayne, and treaty of
Greeinville,:                                         143
CHAPTER XIII....Emigration westward...Death of General Wayne...The Shawanoe
Prophet...Treaty of Fort Wayne...Tecumseh.. Progress of avents leading to the
war of 1812,:::                                           15
CHAPTER XIV....Plot to massacre -Fort Wayne...Tecumseh and the treaty of Fort
TWayne...Battle of Tippecanoe,::                            181
CHAPTERt" XVI....Assembly of Indians at Fort Wayne-Visit of Tecumseh...Death of
Little Turtle...Preparations for war...Ilull's surrender...Captain Well's expedition
to Chicago...His death and defeat of the troops of Fort Dearborn,:: 199
CHAPTER XVII....Siege of Fort Wayne...Movements of the army for its relief  211
CHAPTER XVIII....Early Prophecy concerning Fort Wayne...Movements of the army
from Fort Wayne...General Winchester's appointment, and movement down the
Maumee,                                                              224
CHAPTER XIX....Siege of Fort Harrison...Massacre of the Pigeon-Roost settlement —
Capture of Gen. Winchester...Massacre of Frenchtown, and death of Col. Allen,232
CHAPTER XX....General movements of the army under Harrison...Expedition of Col.
Richard M. Johnson to Fort Wayne...Bombardmient of Fort Meigs...Capture of
Fort George...Evacuation of Fort Miami, at the foot of the Rapids,; 244
CHAPTER XXI...Movements at Fort Wayne..:Plan of Col. R. M. Johnson...His march
to Fort Wayne, and movements from the F'ort...Re-investment of Fort Mleigs, 24'V
CHAPTER XXII -Reinlorcements fiomn Ohio and Kentucky —Commodore Perry on
the lake-Defeat of the British-Destruction of Malden —Retreat of the British
-Speech of Tecumseh,:                       G:2
CHAPTER XXIII.-Pursuit of the British-Bones of the killed of Frenchtown-The
Americein EIagle hovering over the army-Battle of the Thames-Defeat of the
British and death of'ecamslch,:::            266
CHAPTER XX tV.-Further Moverneats of the American army after the battle of the
Thlamtes-Resignation of Generai Harrison-Treaty of Greenville-The fort —
An inlcident::::::::::  279
CHAPTERt XXV.-Value of Fort Wayne to the country at large-Kindly spirit of
the garrison —Indian bones-Navigation —The fur trade —Evacuation of the
fort-Namnes of Cornaiandiants-Settlers of 1815-Captain James RitLy —Randoiph county-Letter ot Major Stickney-State Distiicts,.::   83
CHAPTER XXVI. —The Land office —Purchase of Barr and MeCorkle —The old plat;
-First schooi-houe —Fish-Fort Wayne in 181 9 —Traces —Early purchasers of
lall —Organization of Allen county —County officers —Court sessions —Trial of
Big-Lg —Canlal grant-Hon. Oliver H. Smith-Sc.natorial Districtss-Winter of
18j1-2 —-Wolv s — Taber's addition- Colmmon Pleas and Criminal courts-Mar —
riage recrds,:::::                 293
CHAPTER XXVII.-First court-house and buildings of court-square-Present courthouse-Post offict-The old pon d —Shawanoe Riun —Chief Rich ardville-The
Sand-bill — ndian bones and relics-Population- An eaily residept-Roads,
buildings, and business-i-Manufactories,-The world's future great commercial
centre-Railroads-Fi st Printing office —Churches and educational relationsThe Future,::::::::::: 312' By an oversight of the printer, this (Chn'.lor is printed "VI,' instead of V; and Chapter XV, by a,
similar mishap, ii made ti, read, tChaptir XVI;" neitiher of which, however, otherwise interlere with
tilu reguiar order or rt uiing of thU chuipltur thloughout the boost.




INDEX.                              33
BIOGRAPHICAL, SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS OF FORT WAYNE, ETC.
Biography o.f Samuel anna,::::::     3
Sketch  of Gen'l }iyaeinth  ilassello,::::::.5
Sketch of Henry Rndisill,                                             16
Sketch of Mrs. Laura Stuttenfield,:::                        17
Sketch of Allen Hamilton,                                             18
Sketch of Mrs. Emeline Griswold,::::   22
Sketch of the Ewings-W. G. - G. W. Ewing,;:           23
Sketch of Early German Settlers of Fort Wayne,:::    28
"Pioneers of the West"-(Poetry,):::::::  30
Allen County Agricultural Society-Remarks,;::               31