Effingham County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1883 (part 10 of 13)

URE STROUD, farmer, P. 0. Elliottstown, is a substantial farmer and one of Union Township's first settlers. He was born in Orange County, Ind., February 20, 1S3L He was brought by his parents to Effingham County, Union Township, in 1S40, when nine years old. They settled in Lucas Township at a place called Bishop Point. He was reared on his father's farm, and for the first three years they were there, no school existed in the neighborhood. In 1843, the community and neighbors built a log schoolhouse south of Elliottstown. And there, at fourteen years of age, was the first school subject ever attended. He attended school there for two winters about two months each winter; during that time he learned to read and spell to some extent, afterward helped his father improve his farm. When they first came to this county, it was infested with wolves. They had a very fine colt about three months old, and on going out one morning found that the wolves had killed their pet and had about half eaten it. And on another time he was sent bj- his father with a joke of oxen to Ream's mill, in Jasper County. On returning home, was walking along and driving his team and was attacked by three wolves. He managed to get into the wagon box, and by beating on the box with his whipstalk, kept them awa}-. At the age of eighteen, he commenced working out by the month in this and northern counties. At one time, he hired to Thomas Steward to help drive cattle to Chicago. When arriving at a place called " Dead Man's Grove," one of the party, John Bartley, was taken sick. They did all that was iu their power to check the disease and to make him comfortable, and having their cooking utensils with them, they killed a blue crane and made him some soup, from which he ate, and in a short time was able to go on their trip toward Chicago. In 1851, he came back to Lucas Township and purchased fortj' acres of wild land and worked on it one j-ear. In the fall of 1852, sold out and bought eighty acres in Jasper County, 111., now in South Muddy Township. On the 3d of December, 1853, was married to Sarah Jane Kether's, a native of Orange Count}', Ind. She was born in the j'car 1839. He was engaged in farming in Jasper Count}' until 1857, which time sold out and removed to Eureka, Livingston Co.. Bio. He remained there in Livingston and Marion Counties, and engaged in farming until February, 1861, which time he sold out and came back to Jasper County, and remained there until the spring of 1862, when he sold out and purchased a farm in Union Township of 160 acres. It was nearlj- all wild land; thirtj' acres were in cultivation. Now he has it all in cultivation. In fall of 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and on the 12th of November was on the raid with Sherman through Georgia. He was in the siege of Atlanta, which lasted thirteen days, and two daj's and nights in the siege of Columbia. In the siege of Fatesville, which lasted about three days, and also in the siege of Goldsboro two da\'s and nights. There he was taken sick with the chronic diarrhoea and taken to tiie hospital at Goldsboro. He lay there four days. He then was sent to Buford, N. C, was re-examined and sent to a hospital in New York City, and remained there until May 25. 1865. which time he was dis- charged and came back to his farm in Union Township, and has been engaged in fiirming ever since. He raises grain^principally wheat, corn and oats. His father, Thomas Stroud, was a native of Orange Countj-, lud., born 1805, and died in Union Township December 31, 1876. His motlier, Eliza Aston, was also a native of Orange County, Ind., born in the 3ear 1S13, and died in Lucas Township in the year 1852. His father married again, in 1858, to Rena Blakely. He had thirteen children by first marriage and two b}' last marriage, namely: Joseph (deceased), Ure (subject), Isaiah (deceased), John (deceased), Eliza Vandalia, wife of Nelson Tilton, living in Iowa; Lucretia Vandania, wife of James H. Cooper, living in Pike County, 111.; Ner, living in Lucas Township; Samuel, living in Lucas Township; Ephraim Joy, on last hearing from, was in Kansas; Nathaniel Scarlet, was killed in battle of Hickory Station, Ark.; Austin and Nails (twins), Austin living in Washington Territor}', Nails living in Union Township; Cava Lambert (deceased); those are by first marriage. Helena and Irena, by second marriage. Subject has two children living and seven dead, namely : Clayborne, Cora Ann, Cora Ann again, Mary Jane, are dead. Frances Matilda (living), Sarah (deceased), Ner (living), Samuel and Thomfts Stephens are dead. Subject's wife died in the fall of 1862, November 9. He was married again, February 11, 1863, to Elizabeth Handley, a native of Morgan County, Ky., and her death occurred March 30, 1880. He was married again, January 25, 1881, to Elizabeth Tucker, of Clay County, 111. She has two children, namely : Robert Eli and Stephen Uriah.

JIANSFIELD WHITE, farmer, P. 0. Eberle, was born in Union Township, EtHngham Co., 111., December 7, 1849. He is now thirty-two years old and has lived there all his life. He was reared on his father's farm in Union Township. He received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. The first school he attended was at a place called the Evans Schoolhouse. It was one among the first schoolhouses that were erected in the Union Township. He would attend school about two months in the year. At the age of eighteen, quit attending school and gave his whole attention to farming with his fixther. His father Brice White, was a native of Kentuckj', and died in Union Township in the year 1876. His mother, Susan Ev,ans, is a native of Indiana, and is living on the old farm in Union Township, settled by her husband about the year 1840. Mr. White is one of a family of twelve children, namely : Mary Ann, wife of John Shumard, living in Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of William Cox, living in Union Township; William Younger, is living in Clay Countj*; Mansfield, subject; Isaac, living in Union Township, Effingham Co.; John, living in Union Township, Effingham Co.; Amanda, living with her mother; Ruhama, wife of John Westfall, living in Union Township; James, deceased; Ida, deceased; Joshua, deceased. Mr. White was married, in the spring of 1881, to Lj'dia Shipman, a native of Clay Countj'. She was born in 1860. They have one child, Mertie Edith. Our subject has always been successfully engaged in farming.

WILLIAM ,M. WILSON, farmer, P. O. Mason. Among the old pioneers in this township is Mr. Wilson, who was born 1808, March 25, in Frederick Count}', Va., eldest son of William A. Wilson, of Frederick Count}', Va., only son of his father, William, of Scotch ancestry. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Catharine Hotsenpillar, daughter of John Hotsenpillar, who, and wife also, were from Germany. William Marshall was raised on a farm and remained with his father until he was twentyfive years of age. January 30, 1833, he married M.ary E., daughter of John Snapp; she was born January 21, 1813, in Fredirick County, Va.; after he was married, he located near the home- stead, where he engaged in farming, and remained here until the spring of 1835, when he moved to Fairfield Count}', Ohio, but remained here a short time, as the country did not please him, and made no purchase. In October, 1846, he came to EfBngham Count}', and bought eighty acres in Mason Township, paid $3 per acre, sta3ed here eighteen months and sold his place back to same man he purchased of, and entered where he now lives, 200 acres, and located on the same, and since been a resident; has the same amount of land that he began on. He has had sis children born him, four sons and two daughters, five living, viz.: Charles C, Sarah K., Jane, James D., John W. Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Turner, of Jackson Township; Jane resides in Mason, wife of David Leith; Charles C. resides in Mason; John W., in this township; James D. resides at home. Democratic, and cast his first vote for Jackson. Has been for many years a member of the I. 0. O. F., No. 85, Ewington. Served as Justice of the Peace in this township from 1849 until 1872, and has been one of the substantial men of Union Township.

VOLNEY WILLETT, farmer, P. 0. Hill, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 8, 1837, to George and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Willett. He was born in Loudoun County, Va., May 10, 1807, and died in Wayne County, III., in June, 1880. He was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1841. His wife and the mother of our subject was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1812, and she is now residing in Wayne County, 111. She is the mother of nine children, of whom our subject is the youngest child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his day aflTorded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. He was brought to Wayne County, 111., by his parents, in 1841, and remained with them there until 1856, when he was nineteen years of age. He then apprenticed himself to the blacksmith's trade at

Fairfield, Waj-ne County, where he worked one year, and in 1857 he moved to Flora, and worked there fifteen months. In 1859, he removed to California, where he engaged in mining and farming for about five years. In November, 1863, he returned to Wayne County, 111., and in the spring of 1864 went to work at his trade again, in Flora, for one 3'ear. In the spring of 1865, he returned to Wayne County and engaged in the mercantile business for nearly two j-ears. In the fall of 1866, he came to Effingham Count}' and located at Mason, and engaged in the hardware business, and after a few months traded his stock for a farm in West Township, and removed to it in September, 1867, where he has remained actively engaged in farming. His farm consists of ninet3'-six acres, and in Union Township he has a farm of 160 acres, upon which he intends to remove in December, 1882. In Mattoon, 111., April 13, 1864, he married Miss Louisa Wilborn, a daughter of Willis and Prances (Rees) Wilborn, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Willett was born in Fayette County, 111., December 26, 1841. She is the mother of nine children, five of whom are now living - Volney H., Charles Edgar, Frank, Presley, Oscar. In 1879, our subject was elected Supervisor of West Township, and served one year. West Township is strongly Democratic, but he was elected to the office, though a Republican. While in California, he was a Lieutenant in the State Militia for about three j'ears. He worked up from a private. He is an active member of the order of A., F. & A. M., at Altaniont. Politicall}', he is a Republican.

JOHN \Y OODY, farmer, P. O. Eberle, whose portrait appears in this work, is among the prominent farmers and self-made men of Effingham County. He was born in Lawrence County, Ind., August 27, 1829, the second child of his father, whose name was William, a North Carolinian, from Wilkes Count}-, and removed to Indiana, and there settled, about the 3'ear 1825, and remained there until his removal to Wayne County, this State. John's mother's maiden name was Sarah Edwards, native of Ashe County, N. C. The parents had seven children, two of whom are living - Amanda, and our subject, who was raised at home, and had but three months of schooling, all told. His early boyhood was spent working out by the month. His father received the benefit of his wages up to the time he was nineteen years of age. Then he started for himself; began farming for himself renting. During the winter season, his time was spent working in a mill for other parties. He rented for four years, then purchased 120 acres of canal land ; cost, $2 per acre ; this he never moved on, but sold the same after, and purchased 240 acres in the same county ; cost, $5 per acre ; some improvements. This he sold in 1855, and purcha.sed another tract of 240 acres at $10 per acre ; after, sold this and rented four years, when he came to this State, locating in this township October 5, 18(52, and located on eighty acres that he had previously purchased, costing $10 per acre, and located where he now resides, and remained here two years, when he removed to Trapp Prairie, where he stayed one winter, and returned to his former place of living, where he has since remained. He has bqen one of the most successful farmers in the county. He has accumulated nearly 1.000 acres of land, all of which are the fruits of his own labor. He has been twice married ; first, at the age of nineteen, November 29, 1848, to Charlotte Cox, born in Martin County, Ind., May 15, 1831, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Boone) Cox, the former a native of North Carolina, she of Kentucky, and a descendant of Daniel Boone. His wife died March 29, 1875. By her he had ten children, nine of whom are living, viz.: Minerva J., Granville <3r., Tillman C, H. H.', Tabitha E., Sylvanus G. (dead), Davie G., Schuyler C, Samuel N. and Edith E. Sylvanus died in infancy. Minerva resides in Lucas township, the wife of John Merr'j'. Tabitha, wife of Richard Merrj-, of Lucas Township. Three sons, Granville G., Tillman C, and H. H., are married and doing business for themselves. Our subject's last marriage occurred in March, 1876, to Mrs. Martha E. Jacobs, born in this State, daughter of Mr. Cooper, by which marriage he had three children, two living, Stella G. and Leslie ; James and Melissa deceased. Our subject was formerly a Democrat until Lincoln's election, since which he has been a Republican. He is not a member of any churcii or society, but lives in harmony with the principles of moralit}', and enjoj-s the esteem and respect of the community in which he resides.

Banner

HENRY BERNHARD, miller, Shumway, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Ittlingen, Baden, Germany, April 9, 1835, a | son of Henry and Margaret (Ziegler) Bernhard, both natives of Baden, Germany; he, born j September 4, 1802, is a retired farmer, living now with our subject ; she died in her native country in 1837. The father was twice married, his second wife being Anna Eve Ziegler. He is the father of four children, two of whom are living - Louis and Henry. He (the father) came to America in 1879. Our subject received his early schooling in the schools of his native village, and his first occupation in life was that of milling, which trade he commenced learning in Ittlingen, Gerraanj-, at an early age. He came to the United States in 1853, and for nine months was engaged in milling in New Jersey. He came to St. Clair County, this State, where he remained until 1864, when he came to Banner Township, where he has since resided. He was married in St. Clair County, this State, October 27, 1858, to Catharine Sinn, who was born in the same place as he, December 2, 1838, the daughter of Michael and Rosetta (Lilli) Sinn. Mr. and Mrs. Bcrnhard have had four children, two of whom are living - Lizzie and Louisa. In 1872, our subject took an active part in securing the establishment of a post office then called Tolerance, of which he was appointed Postmaster, serving in that capacity until 1879, when the office was changed to Shumway. In 1878, he erected the " Tolerance Flouring Mills " in the town of Shumway, Banner Township, of which he is proprietor, at a cost of $11,000. The mill carries three run of stone, and handles about 30,000 bushels of wheat per annum. Prior to entering into the milling business, our subject was engaged in merchandising for a period of eight j'ears, in which business he was very successful, lu his present business, he ships largely, but is doing principally custom work. He is trul}' a self-made man of excellent characteristics, the artificer of his own fortune, having become wealthy liy his own enterprising efforts. He has served his township as Clerk, School Treasurer, and is the present Super\'isor. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

F. W. GIESEKING, merchant, Shumway, was born at Nashville, Washington Co., 111. His father, William Gieseking, married Miss Caroline Heseman in 1855; the result of this union was ten children, of whom eight survive, of whom the subject is the eldest sop. Mr. Gieseking obtained the rudiments of his education at Freemanton, in Effingham Count}-, and then entered the Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mo., at the age of eighteen years, taking a course of study for the period of three years. He then returned to Effingham County, and engaged as clerk in the store of George Hilleman, at Altamont, 111., being there engaged for ten months. He then began business as a merchant, under the firm name of Gieseking & Son, at the town of Shumway, where he still continues. On the 2Gth of January, 1882, he married Miss Marj- Schroth, of Banner Township. He was reared under the religious instruction of the German Methodist Church. William Gieseking, the father of our subject is one of the extensive farmers of Effingham Count}', residing in Moccasin Township. The mother is also living.

IGNATZ HELMBACHER, Postmaster of Shumway, was born May 28, 1851, in the State of Louisiana. His father, Louis Helmbacher, and mother, Margaret Helmbacher, were born in Paris, France. His mother died in St. Clair County, 111., in 1860. His parents left France for America, settling in New Orleans in 1847, from whence they came to Belleville, 111., in 1859. In 1873, they went to Teutopolis, 111., where his father died in 1880. Our subject began his education at the common schools of the county, coming to Shumway in 1862, where he has made his home, with the exception of three years' travel in the West. Our subject has three brothers and one sister, as follows : Frederick, John, Alois, surviving, and Hellena. Of the half brothers and sisters, there are living, Joseph and Ruben, Christina, Mary and Dora. Christina married Peter Hutemacher, residing at Teutopolis. The second wife of our subject's father, whose maiden name was Metcker, survives him, and is residing at Teutopolis. Our subject was appointed Postmaster in Shumway September 26, 1882, which position he still holds. The family are Catholic in their religion.

iMATTHEW M. HEMPHILL, grain dealer, Shumway, was born May 10, 1842, in County Antrim Ireland, son of Matthew and Matilda (White) Hemphill. _ He came to America with his parents in 1850, and settled in Randolph County, 111., where he remained until 1866. He enlisted in the armv in 1862, being assigned to the Eightieth Illinois Infantiy, Col. Thomas G. Allen. After a short service, he was honorabh- discharged on account of phj-sical disabilit)-, February-, 1863. He began life as a farmer ; his education commenced in the district school, which he entered at the age of eight 3'ears. In 1 864, he took a course at the Commercial College, Rochester, N. Y., graduating April 1-t, 1865, the da\' President Lincoln was assassinated. Returning home, he took charge of a school as teacher, which he has followed alternately with farming and grain dealing. On the 30th day of 5Iarch, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stirrett, of Effingham Count}'. There were born unto them four children, of whom Andrew Otis, Anna KUa, and Katie Etta are surviving. Mr. Hemphill was reared in the Presbyterian Church. He was elected Assessor of Banner Township on the Republican ticket in 1882, and was appointed Notary Public in 1879. In 1880, he was appointed census taker for his township. He is a member of McPherson Post, No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic, at Effingham.

WENDLINE REIS, farmer, P. 0. Shumway, was born December 26, 1836, in Germany. His father, Lawrence Reis, was married to Eva Weichel (date not known). Unto them were born five sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the third youngest. His parents came to America in 1837, coming to Bayliss Landing, Mo., where thej- settled, at which place the parents died; after which subject left that locality, settling in Shumway, Effingham County, in 1875. On the 18th day of January, 1857, he was married to Elizabeth Underriner. Unto tliem were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all living - Theodore, Martin, Wilhelm, Joseph, John, Wendline, Louis, and Theresa, ^Lar}- and Josephine. Theresa married Frank Andrews, and Theodore married Mary AnnaCrupy. The famil}- were brought up under the instruction of the Catholic Church. Our subject attended

THOMAS J. RENTFROW, farmer, P. O. Effingham, was born in Maur}' County, Middle Tenn.,in July, 1812. In the fall of 1829, became to Illinois with his mother, who settled in Wayne County, near what is known as Fairfield, until the spring of 1830, when they came to Effingham County. Richard Cohee and Hickman Langford, brothers-in-law, came at the same time, and four brothers of our subject - Jesse, John, Joseph and Eli - ^joined the party in this county in 1860. They settled on the Little Wabash, just above Ewiugton, this county. At this time there were more Indians in the county than white people. Our subject states that there were only two white families within ten miles of their home ; these were John P. Farley and Samuel Bratton. The Rentfrows brought four horses and one ox team. On their arrival, they went into a deserted Indian camp on the Wabash bottom, near what is now known as the old Reynolds place, in the month of March, while snow was yet on the ground; making their surroundings as comfortable as possible, they began to tap the maple trees and make sugar. The old camp was made of linn puncheons pinned to trees with wooden pegs ; they contented themselves as best they could in this temporar}- shelter, until thej* had time to build a house on the hill, near a spring, as the Tennesseans in those earlj- days did not know what a well was. Joseph was the bread finder, and went as far as Paris, in Edgar County, to get corn, on horseback. In those days the greenhead flies were so thick and ravenous that it was impossible to travel in mid-day with the additional pest of mosquitoes and gnats. They cleared off a patch in the bottom and planted corn, and also a patch of cotton, but the latter was a failure. The corn for bread was pounded in a wooden mortar, dug out of a log or stump, with a pole attached like a well sweep, with an iron wedge as a pounder. Kising early in the morning, preparing the frugal breakfast, the pounding for meal was answered by the gobbling of the wild turkeys, which \)ere very abundant in those days. In a few years, the convenience of the colony was improved by the erectiou of a horse mdl on the Okaw, thirt}'- five miles distant, whither the subject would go with his grist, and had to wait four or five days for his turn at the grist, living on parched corn and sleeping in the mill. The journey on these occasions was made with ox teams across the prairie at night, driving into the bushes, cutting them down, and building " bush harbors " for protection, the o.Kcn feeding on the high grass so common in those days. When the grist haulers arrived and squatted around the mill, it had the appearance of a modern camp-meeting. Deer, wild turkeys and bee trees were plenty, and it took but a short time to secure either to supply their need. A few black bears could be encountered, and wolves, big and little, were plenty, and at times dangerous. The tables of the settlers were furnished with wild meat, wild honey and corn-bread. Our subject went to school a few months in Tennessee, but never had an arithmatic or a quire of paper, and never attended a school after settling in this county. He remained a member of his mother's family until he was married. May 18, 1843, to Miss Eleanor Trapp, daughter of John Trapp, of this county, who was at one time Sheriff of Effingham County. He had made improvements on the first settlement of the family, and bought the interest of his mother and others, which he sold to Reynolds for SI 60, and entered 120 acres in Section 35, in 1842. afterward entering 280 acres more ; he now owns 300 acres, all under cultivation, raising principally grain, with good success. Mr. Rentfrow is the father of ten children, six of whom are living - John C, of this countyj; Mary E., wife of Dennis 0. Keating ; William Elijah, of this county ; Sarah, wife of Lee Burrell, of Effingham ; Stephen A. and Michael, at home. Once upon a time, Mr. Rentfrow, while hunting with Alexander McWiiorter, they would lay out all night, Rentfrow placing a coon skin under his head for a pillow; the natural warmth of his head united with the heat from the log-heap, melted the snow and frozen ground while he was sleeping ; on awakening, he found his hair frozen to the ground, requiring skill, patience and solid pulling to get him loose. Mr. Rentford was elected Sheriff of this county in 1843, which he held for eight years ; he was nominated by the Democrats, of which party he has been a life-long member. The first revenue he collected in the county was $300, on which his commission was three per cent ; it was in this line of his duty to take it to Springfield, paying his own expenses.

M. SCHROTH, farmer, P. 0. Shumway, was born December 13, 1831, at Wurtemberg, Germany. He came alone to America in 1854, landing in New York Cit}'. From thence he soon moved to Pennsylvania, remaining there a short time. He then went down the Ohio River, to the city of St. Louis, Mo., where he and a companion engaged in the manufacture of a summer beverage, a substitute for stronger liquors. In 1855, he came to St. Clair County, 111., where he married Catharina Beckman, June 2, 1859. They then settled in Washington County, Ill._ In 1861, they came to Effingham County, and purchased 120 acres of land from the Illinois Central R. R., on which he began to farm on the raw prairie, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Schroth have had born unto them eleven children, of whom nine are surviving. His mother, Dora Schroth, is living with them, at the age of eighty-two. The family were Lutherans, to which religion they still adhere. His children - Mary E., Christiana, Margaret, Michael, Henry, Dora, Frederick, Lidda, Lewis - are living ; on the 4th of May, 1877, their son Phillip was killed b}' falling from a tree.

JOHN H. WALDECKER, cooper, Shumway, was bora in the kingdom of Hanover, German^', on the 8th of March, 1851. His parents, John H. Waldecker and A. M. Henrietta Gruetzemacher, were married in 1836. Unto them were born five children, three of whom are living. The subject was the youngest, who came with his parents to America in 1854, settling in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained until 1872. From there he moved to St. Clair County, 111. ; thence to Shumway, in Banner Township, 111., 1878, engaging in his trade. Mr. Waldecker availed himself of the advantages of the common schools until he was fourteen years old ; then he entered Roher's Commercial School, at St. Louis, Mo., where he took a course at bookkeeping. He kept books in various lines of business for some time ; then concluded to learn the trade of coopering, which he is now following successfully. In the 3'ear 1874, October 1, Mr. Waldecker and Miss Diana Miller were married, at Belleville, St. Clair Co., 111. They have one son, Frederick. The Waldeckers were Protestants from the beginning, and the descendants adhere to that faith without denominational preference. Mr. Waldecker has held several otHces of honor and profit, conferred upon him by his fellow-citizens. He was first elected Constable in 1879, which he held for two years ; then he was elected Justice of the Peace, in the spring of 1881, which office he still holds, giving satisfaction to the people.

Summit

LORENZO D. GLOYD, farmer, was born in Prince George County, Md., near Washington .City, D. C, in 1814. William, his father, a farmer bj' occupation, was born in the same State, at a date unknown to the subject. He died in 1825. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Sarah Skeggs. It is supposed that slie was born in Virginia, the date of which is unknown. She died in 1827. In this family there were five children ; four boys and one girl, all of whom are deceased but two. Our subject was educated in the common schools in Ohio, in which State lie was also raised to farming, which has always been his occupation. He was married in Lickving County, Ohio, in 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Hilderbrand, the date and place of whose birth is unknown. Her father was James Hilderbrand, who was born in Pennsylvania. Our sulycct's marriage was blessed with the following children, named in the order of their births - William, Jane, Elbridge, Ellen, George, Percy, Jerome, Magdaline. Mr. Gloyd is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in politics. In 1825, our subject removed, with his parents, from Maryland, to Licking Count}', Ohio, where they engaged in farming, until 1839, when they removed to Indiana, and to Efliugham County, 111., in 1866. On his arrival here, he bought a farm, containing 240 acres, where he now resides, and which he has improved. He has built upon his farm a large dwelling, 40x20. His grandmother was German, and his grandfather Gloyd was English. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, going into that war as a substitute for his father.

SAMUEL F. HAN KINS, farmer, P. O. Shumway, was born in Tennessee, in 1824 ; came with his parents to Vandalia, in 1827, remaining there until 1831 ; then he settled in Fayette County, III., a portion of which now comprises Effingham County. William J. Hankins, his father, was a man of enterprising spirit, in those early days, and when the National road was projected, he took the contract on a division, of clearing and grading, and built the bridge across the Little Wabash, in

Summit Township. In early life, his father learned the trade of a carpenter, and soon contracted to build bouses and bridges. There were twelve children born unto him, six of whom reside in this township. He was married, March 30, 1819, to Catharine Funk, in the State of Tennessee. Of the six surviving children of this union, Presley C, Samuel F. and Elizabeth were born in Tennessee, and Sarah A., Lewis J. and Mary Ann were born in Illinois. Elizabeth married 0. L. Kelley, who was killed in a railroad accident during the late war while on the way to the field of action. Sarah A. married D. W. Powell ; Mary Ann married Paris Griffith ; Presley C. married Nancy J. Wai-ren, October 24, 1850, two children surviving. The father and the subject were soldiers in the Mexican war, each belonging to Company C, Second Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which the fiither was Second Lieutenant, and Harvj- Lee, Captain. They landed at Tampico ; from thence the}' went to Vera Cruz, and were then ordered to march to the City of Mexico, which was taken before their arrival. When William J. Haukms, the pioneer of this familj-, came to what is now Effingham County, it was a wild prairie. Green-head flies were so plentiful that stock was often destroyed by them, compelling the early settlers to cultivate the bottom lands on the river. Provisions could be obtained at no nearer point than Wa3'ne Count}' and St. Louis, excepting meat, which was supplied by capturing bear, deer and wild turkej'S. Hogs were fattened on the mast. The subject remarks, it was truh', root hog or die." Farms in their neighborhood were opened in 1839, which was very tedious, oxen being chiefly used for plowing, as horses were not plentj'. Oats and corn were the principal crops, and the vield generally good. Schools were supported by subscription until 1839, when it appears by the record in possession of the subject that "the residents of this township shall each pay the sum of two dollars per quarter for each scholar they send to school ; and non-residents shall pa}' the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per quarter for each scholar they may send." " T. J. Gillenwaters, President of Board of Trustees, August 17, 1838." Samuel F. Hankins was many years School Director. In 1871, he was chosen School Treasurer, in which capacity he still acts. He is a bachelor. In early life he became a Mason, in which honorable institution he was advanced to the Royal Arch Degree.

T. B. RINEHART, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, was born in Effingham County in 1841. -His father was Daniel Rinehart, who was born in Tennessee and educated in Fairfield County, Ohio, also a farmer by occupation. He was married in Ohio, in 1818, to Miss Barbara Keagy, of the same county. In his family there were six children, two girls and four boys, all living except Jemima, former wife of William C. Wright, who died. Our subject is the third child of the family. His father died in January, 18G8. He came to this State in 1841, and settled in Watson Township, where he remained until his election to the office of County Clerk, when he removed to Effingham. He served some years in this capacity, during which time our subject embraced the opportunity of gaining a high school education, and after gi-aduation at McKendree College. He was once chosen Supervisor of his township, and in 1 882 was a candidate for County Clerk, on the National ticket. In January, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary Crooker Blakely, by which union they have had six children, two of whom died in infancy. His father had been prominent as a Justice of the Peace for many years. Mr. Rinehart's father-in-law was the late Judge BlakeU, who came to Effingham County at an early day, when the country was a vast wilderness and sparsely settled. In 1839, he was chosen County Clerk, and was several times elected to the Legislature, and was also member of the Constitutional Convention for the counties of Effingham and Clay, in 1847. In 1852, he was elected to the Legislature, and again in 1872, after twentj- j-ears of private life. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., October 16, 1808. In October, 1839, he was married, in Lawrenceburg, lud., to Miss Amanda Crooker, who was born in Greene County, N. Y., in 1814. The marriage eeremonj- was performed by the late Judge Holden, who was in early life a prominent clergyman. On arriving in Effingham. Mr. Blakel}- was engaged in merchandising, at wiiich time money was scarce, and he frequently had to exchange merchandise for furs and feathers and like commodities.

NATHAN SKIPPER, farmer, P. 0. Effingham, son of Nathan and Frances (Williams) Skipper, was born in Hickman County, Tenn., in 1842; while young, he removed with his father's family from that State to Illinois, in 1850. They made the long, tedious journey through the then wilderness of prairie grass and roadless prairies, with two yoke of oxen and wagons. Arriving in Illinois, they settled near Weston, where his father settled upon a piece of land, which was entered over him by another part}-. Soon after this, he left and came to Summit Township, where he purchased eighty acres, which were partly improved. Here our subject received such advantages of an education as were offered by the school system of those times, and raised to farming on his father's farm. He was married in 1861 to Miss Sarah Tims; the result of the union was one child, L. C. They are both deceased and their remains repose in the cemetery at Watson. Mr. Sliipper takes an interest in the educational and political affairs, of the community in which he lives, and is respected by his fellowmen. In his father's family there were fourteen children, of whom Mr. Skipper is the tenth. There names are as follows, named in order : Mary Ann, William, Eli, Catharine, Sarah, Matilda J., Elizabeth, Margara and Louis. One not named died j-oung. His father was of Irish descent, and was born in North Carolina October 19, 1805, and died July 14, 1880, and was buried at Blue Point Cemeterj'. His mother is of French origin, her age, etc., are not remembered. In politics, Mr. Skipper is a Democrat.

J. F. THOMPSON, nirmer, P. 0. Shumway, was born in Wayne Count}', Ind., in May, 1834, son of L. W. and Catharina (Whiting) Thompson, both natives of Virginia, and both died in this count}', the father in 1877 and the mother the year previous. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. Our subject received his early schooling in Tippecanoe County, Ind., and farming he chose for his occupation in early life. He was married, January 23, 1868, in this county, to Miss Emma E. Kagay, born in Ripley Count}', Ohio, August 28, 1840, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Kagay, both Alrginians by birth. Mrs. Thompson is a sister of Hon. B. F. Kagay, of this county. She had a brother in the late civil war, who died at New Albany, Ind. Her grandfather was Daniel Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have six children - Laura, May, William Franklin, Charles Arthur, Ivy and Fealdon. Our subject came to this county in 1804. He ran a drug store in Effingham three years, but has farmed mostly, having purchased in 1869, eighty acres at $17 per acre, on which he does general farming. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Geographical Position

WIIEX the Nortlnvestei-n Tcri-itory was ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1784-, it embraced only the territory lying between the Oliio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi liiver. The United States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi liiver; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary of the United States was extended to the Hocky Mountains and the Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National domain, and snbsefjuently opened to settlement, has been called the "New Northwest," in contnidistinction from the old " Northwestern Territory."

In compai-ison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles; being greater in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States, including Texas. Out of this magnilicent territory liavebeen erected eleven"sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate population, at the present time, of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one-third of the entire population of the United States.

Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far-stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent on the globe.

For the last twenty years the increase of population in the Northwest has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States.

Eaki.Y Explokations

In the year 1511, De Soto first saw the Great West in the New World. He, liowever, penetrated no farther north than the 35th parallel of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of nutre than lialf his army, the rcmaitider of whom found their way to Cuba, thence to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. De Soto founded no settlements, produced .no results, and lett no tnics, unless it were that he awakened the liostility of the red man against the white man, and disheartened such as might desire to follow np the career of discovery for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by De Soto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer took advantage of tliese discoveries.

In 1616, four years before the pilgrims " moored tlieir bark on the wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had penetrated tlirough the Iroq\iois and and Wyandots (Ilurons) to the streams whicli run into Lake Huron; and in 1Q?A, two Jesuit missionaries founded the first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from the discovei-y of the Mississippi by De Soto (15-il) until the Canadian envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at'the Falls of St. Mary, below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent result, yet it was not until 1659 that any of the adventurous fur traders attempted to spend a winter in the frozen wilds about tlie great lakes, nor was it until 1660 that a station was established upon their borders by Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude Allouez built the earliest lasting liabitation of the white man among the Indians of the Nortliwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two years afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor General of Canada, explored Lake Illinois (Micliigan) as far south as the present City of Chicago, and invited the Indian nations to meet him at a grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following spring, where they were taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken of the Northwest. This same year Marqnette established a mission at Point St. Ignatius, wliere was founded tiie old town of town of Michillimackinac.

During M. Talon's exjilorations and Marquette's residence at St. Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied - as ail others did then - ^tliat u]ion its fertile banks wliole tribes of God's children resided, to wliom the sound of tlie Gospel had never come. Filled with a wisli to go and preach to them, and in conipliance witli a request of M. Talon, wlio earnestly desired to extend the domain of his king, and to ascertain whetiier the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expedition, prepared for the undertaking.

On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assistant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. Cut, nothing daunted by tliese teri'ific descriptions, Marquette told them ho was willing not oidy to encounter all the perils of the unknown region they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which the salvation of souls was involved; :ind having prayed together they sepai-ated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Marquette was delighted to tind a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the town, ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, which tJiese good people had offered to the great Manitou, or God, to thank him for the pity he liad bestowed on them during the winter in giving tliem an abundant " chase." This was the fa! thest outpost to which Dablon and Allouez had extended their misi?ionar3' la- Ijors the year jirjvious. Here Marqnette drank mineral waters and was instructed in tiie secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake. Ue assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to Joliet, said: " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new countries, and I am an ambassaiior from God to enlighten them with the truths of the Gospel." Two Jliami guides were here furnished to conduct them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on the lOtli of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet ventured. The guides, having condueted them across the portage, returned. Tlie explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down it; nidcnown waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck out into tlie broadening current and became conscious that they were now upon the bfisom of the Father of Waters. The mystery was about to ba lifte.i from the long-sought river. The scenurv in that locality is beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must iiave been clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of Nature. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold bluffs on either hand " reminded them of the castled shores of their own beautiful rivers of France." By-and-bj', as they drii'ted along, great herds of buffalo appeared on the banks. On going to the heads of the valley they could see a country of the greatest beauty and fertility, apparently destitute of inhabitants yet presenting the appearance of extensive manors, under the fastidious cultivation of lordly proprietors.

On June 25th, they went ashore and found some fresh traces of men upon tlie sand, and a ]iath which led to the prairie. Tiio men remained in the boat, and Marquette and Joliet followed the path till they discovered a village on the banks of a river, and two other villages on a hill, within a half league of the first, inhabited by Indians. Tliey were received most hospitably by these natives, who had never before seen a white person. After remaining a few days they re-embarked and descended the river to about latitude 33", where they found a village of the Arkansas, and beinw satisfied that the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico, turned their course up the river, and ascending the stream to the mouth of the Illinois, rowed up that stream to its source, and procured guides from that point to the lakes. " No where on this journey," says Marquette, "did we see such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards, swans, ducks, par- roquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River." Tlie party, witliout loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and reported their discoverj' - one of the most important of the age, but of which no record was preserved save Marquette's, Joliet losing his b}' the upsetting of his canoe on his way to Quebec. Afterward Marquette returned to the Illinois Indians by their request, and ministered to them nntil 1675. On the 18th of May, in that year, as lie was passing the mouth of a stream - going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan - he asked to land at its mouth and celebrate mass. Leaving his men with the canoe, he retired a shore distance and began his devotions. As much time passed and he did not return, his men went in search of him, and found him upon his knees, dead. He had peacefully passed away while at prayer. He was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving the beloved missionary to repose in peace. The river has since been called Marquette.

While Marquette and his companions were pursuing their labors in the West, two men, differing widely from him and each other, were preparing to follow in his footsteps and jierfect the discoveries so well begun by him. These were Kobert de La Salle and Louis Hennepin.

After La Salle's return from the discovery of the Ohio River (see the narrative elsewiiere), he established himself again among the French trading posts in Canada. Hero he mused long upon the pet project of those ages - a short way to China and the East, and was busily planning an expedition up the g'.'eat hikes, and so aci'uss the continent to the Pacific, when Marquette returned from the Mississippi. At once the vigorous mind of La Salle received from his and his companions' stories the idea that by following the Great River northward, or l>y turning up some of the numerous western tributaries, the object coulil easily be gained. lie applied to Frontenac, Governor General of Canada, and laid before him the plan, dim but gigantic. Frontenac entered warmly into his plans, and saw that L'l S;i!le's idea to connect the great lakes by a chain of f )rts with the Gulf of Mexico would bind the country so wonderfully together, give unmeasured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose administration he earnestly hoped all would be realized.

La Salle now repaired to France, laid his plans before the King, who warmly approved of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also received from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. The Chevalier returned to (Janada, and busily entered u]ion his work. He at once rebuilt Fort Frontenac and constructed the first ship to sail on these fresh-water seas. On the 7th of August, 1679, having been joined by Hennepin, he began his voyage in the Griflin u]i Lake Erie. He passed over this lake, through the straits beyond, up Lake St. Clair and into Huron. In this lake they encountered lieavy storms. The^' were some timeatMichillimackinac, where La Salle founded a fort, and passed on to Green Bay, the " Bale des Pnans " of the French, where he found a large quantity of fui-s collected for him. He loaded the Griffin with these, and placing her under the care of a pilot and fourteen sailors, startcil her on her return voyage. The ves- sel was never afterward heard of. lie remained about these parts until early in the winter, when, iieariiig nothing from the Griffin, he collected all iiis men - thirty wurkinn- men and three monks - and started again npon his great undertaking.

By a short ])oi-tage they passed to the Illinois or Kankakee, called by the Indians, "Tiieakeke," wo?/, because of the tribes of Indians called by tliat name, commonly known as tiie Maluiigans, dwelling there. The French pronounced it ICiali/ki, which became corrupted to Kankakee. "Falling down the said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the country," about the last of Deceinber tliey reached a village of the Illinois Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, but at that moment no inhabitants. The Seur de La Salic being in want of some brcadstuifs, took advantage of the absence of the Indians to heli) himself to a sufficiency of maize, large quantities of which he found concealed in holes under the wigwams. This village was situated near the present village of Utica in La Salle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored, the voyagers again l)etook tliemselves to the stream, and toward evening on the ith day of January, KjSO, they came into a lake, which must have been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians Plm-i-te-wl, that is a place where there are many fat beasts. Here the natives were met with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent some time with them. La Salle determined to erect another fort in that place, for he had heard rumors that some of the adjciining tribes were trying to disturb the good feeling which existed, and some of his men were disposed to complain, owing to the hardships and perils of the travel. lie called tiiis fort " Crevecoiur" (broken - lieart), a name expressive of the very natural sorrow and anxiety which the pretty certain loss of his ship. Griffin, and hiscon- SG(pient impoverishment, the danger of hostdity on the part of the Indians, and of mutiiiv anionir his own men, might well cause him. His fears were not entirely groundless. Atone time poison was placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered.

"While building this fort, the winter wore away, the prairies began to look green, and La Salle, despairing of any reinforcements, concluded to return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in the enterprise. For this purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and lie set out on his journey. This journey was accomplished with the aid of a few persons, and was successfully made, though over an almostunknown route, and in a bad season of the year. He safely reached Canada, and set out again for the object of his search.

Hennepin and his party left Fort Creveco3ur on the last of February, 1680. When La Salle reached this place on his return expedition, he found the fort entirely deserted, and he was obliged to return again to Canada. He en^barked the third time, and succeeded. Seven days after leaving the fort, Hennepin reached the Mississippi, and paddling up the icy stream as best he could, reached no higher than the Wisconsin liiver by the 11th of A])ril. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a band of Northern Indians, who treated them with great kindness. Hennepin's comrades were Anthony Auguel and Mi- chael Ako. On this voyage they found several beautiful lakes, and " saw some charming prairies." Tiieir captors were the Isaute or Saiiteurs, Chippewas, a tribe of the Sioux nation, who took them up tlie river until about the iirstof May, when tlicy reached some falls, whicli Hennepin clu-istened Falls of St. Anthony in honor of his patron saint. Here tjiev took the land, and traveling nearly two liundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages. Here they were kept about three months, were treated kindly by their captors, and at the end of that time, were met by a band of Frenchmen, headed by one Seur de Luth, who, in pursuit of trade and game, had penetrated thus far by the route of Lake Superior; and with these fellow-c..)untrynien Hennepin and liis comjianions were allowed to return to the borders of civilized life in JSTovember, 1680, just after La Salle had returned to the wilderness on his second trip. Hennepin soon after went to France, where lie publislied an account of his adventures.

The Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his vain endeavor to find gold and precious gems. In the following spring, De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wanderings, fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May, died. His followers, reduced by fetigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue themselves by land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brio-. antines, in which they embarked, and descending the river, supposing it would lead them to the sea, in Julv thcv came to

They were the first to see the great outlet of the Mississippi; but, being so weary and discouraged, made no attem]>t to claim the country, and hardly had an intelligent idea of what they liad passed through.

To LaS-iIle, the intrepid explorer, l)elongs the honor of giving the first account of the mouths of the ri^-er. His great desire was to possess this entire country for liis king, and in January, 16S2, he and his band of explorers left the shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed the portage, passed down the Illinois Kiver, and on the (Jth of February, reached the banks of the Mississippi.

On the 13th they commenced their downward course, which they pursued with but one interruption, until npon the 6th of March they discovered the three great passages by which the river discharges its waters into the gulf La Salle thus narrates the event:

" We landed on the bank of the most western channel, about three leagues (nine utiles) from its mouth. On the seventh, M. de La Salle went to reconnoiter the shores of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti meanwhile examined the great middle channel. They found the main outlets beautiful, large and deep. On the Sth we reascendcd the rivei,a little above its confluence with tlie sea, to find a dry place beyond the reach of inundations. The elevation of the jS'orth Pole was here about twenty-seven degrees. Here we prepared a column and a cross, and to the column were affixed the arms of France with this inscription:

The Northwest Territory

The whole party, under arms, chanted the Te Deum, and tlien, after a salute and cries of*' Vive h' Jiol" the cohiiiin was erected by M. dc La Salle, who, standing near it, proclaimed in a loud voice the authoi-ity of the King of France. La Salle returned and laid tlie foundations of the Mississippi settlements in Illinois, thence lie proceeded to France, where another expedition was fittud out, of which he was commander, and in two succeeding voyages failed to find the outlet of the river l)y sailing along the shore of the gulf. On his thii'd voyage he was killed, through the treachery of his followers, and the object of his expeditions was not accomplished until 1699, when D'Iberville, under the authority of the crown, discovered, on the second of March, by way of the sea, the mouth of the " Hidden River." This majestic stream was called by the natives " Jfaldouc/ua," and by the Spaniards, "fo Palissade, " from the great number of trees about its mouth. After traversing tlie several outlets, and satisfying himself as to its certainty, he erected a fort near its Avestern outlet and returned to France.

An avenue of trade was now opened out, which was fully improved. In 1718, New Orleans was laid out and settled hy some European colonists. In 1762, the colony was made over to Sjiain, to be regained by France under the consulate of Napoleon. In 1803, it was purchased by the Ignited States for the sum of fifteen million dollars, and the territor\- of Louisiana and commerce of the ]\Iis?issippi River came under the charge of the United States. Although La Salle's labors ended in defeat and death, he had not worked and suffered in vain. He had thrown open to France and the world an immense and most valuable country; had established several ports, and laid the foundations of more than one settlement there. '- Peoria, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, are to this day monuments of La Salle's labors; for, though he had founded neither of them (unless Peoria, which was built nearly upon the site of Fort CrevecoMir,) it was by those whom he led into tlie West that these places were peopled and civilized. He was, if not the discoverer, the first settler of the Mississippi Valley, and as such deserves to be known and honored."

The Fi-ench early improved the opening made for them. Before the year 1698, the Rev. Father Gravier began a mission among the Illinois, and founded Kaskaskia. For some time this was merely a missionary station, where none but natives resided, it being one of three such villages, the other two being Cahokia and Peoria. What is known of these missions is learned from a letter written by Father Gabriel Marest, dated ''Aux Cascaskias, autrement dit do I'lmmaculate Conception de la Sainte Vierge, le 9 Noverabre, 1712." Soon after the founding of Kaskaskia, the missionary, Pinet, gathered a Hock at Cahokia, while Peoria arose near the ruins of Fort CrevecfBur. This must have been about a year 1700. The post at Vincennes on the Oubache river, (])ronounced Wa-ba, meaning i^miimer dowl moving nw/ff/i/) was established in 1702, according to the best authorities.* It is altogether probable that

* There is consideraljle dispute about this date, some asserting it was founded as late as 1742. When the new court house at Vincennes was erected, all authorities on the subject were carefully examined, and 1702 fixed upon as the correct date. It was accordingly engrave<I on the corner-stone of the court house.

on La Salle's last trip he established the stations at Kaskaskia and Cahokia. In Jnl^-, 1701, tlie foundations of Fort Ponchartrain were laid by De laMotte Cadillac on the Detroit River. These stations, with tliose establisiiod further north, were the earliest attempts to occupy the Northwest Territory. At the same time efforts were being made to occupy the Southwest, wliich finally culminated in the settlement and founding of tiie City of New Orleans by a colony from England in 1718. TJiis was mainly accomplished tlirough the eiforts of tlie famotis Mississippi Company, establislied by the notorious John Law, who so qnickly arose into prominence in France, and wlio with his scheme so qnickly and so ignominiously passed away.

From tlie time of the fonnding of these stations for fifty years the Fi'ench nation engrossed with the settlement of the lower Mississippi, and the war witii the Chicasaws, who had, in revenge for repeated injuries, cutoff the entire colony at Natchez. Altiiough the company did little for Louisiana, as the entire AVest was then called, yet it opened tlie trade through the Mississippi Eiver, and started the raising of grains indigenous to that climate. Until the year 1750, but little is known of the settlements in the Northwest, as it was not until this time that the attention of the English was called to the occupation of this portion of the New World, which tlie^- then supposed they owned. Vivier, a missionary among the Illinois, writing from "Aux Illinois," six leagues from Fort Cliartres, June 8, 1750, says: " AVe have liere whites, negroes and Indians, to say nothing of cross-breeds. There are five French villages, and three villages of "the natives, within a space of twenty-one leagues situated between the Mississippi and another river called the Ivarkadaid (Kaskaskias). In the five French villages are, perhaps, eleven luindred whites, three hundred blacks and some sixty red slaves or savages. The three Illinois towns do not contain more than eight hundred souls all told. Most of the French till the soil ; they raise wheat, cattle, pigs and horses, and live like princes. Three times as much is produced as can be consumed ; and great quantities of grain and flour are sent to New Orleans." This city was now the seaport town of the Northwest, and save in the extreme northern ])art, where only furs and copper ore were found, almost all the products of the country found their way to France by the mouth of the Father of Waters. In another letter, dated November 7, 1750, this same priest saj's: " For fifteen leagues above the mouth of the Mississippi one sees no dwellings, the ground being too low to be habitable. Thence to New Orleans, the lands are only partially occupied. New Orleans contains black, white and red, not more, I think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point come all lumber, bricks, salt-beef, tallow, tar, skins and bear's grease ; and above all, pork and flour from tlie Illinois. Tliese things create some commerce, as forty vessels and more have come hither this year. Above New Orleans, plantations are again met with ; the most considerable is a colony of Germans, some ten leagues up the river. At Point Coupee, thirtj'-five leagues above the German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five or six leagues, are not less than sixty habitations. Fifty leagues farther up is the Natchez post, where we have a garrison, who are kept prisoners througli tear of the Chicasaws. Here and at point Conpee, tliey raise excellent tobacco. Anotiier hundred leagues brings ns to the Arkansas, where we have also a fort and a garrison for the benefit of the river traders. * * * From the Arkansas to the Illinois, nearly five hundred leagues, there is not a settlement. There should be, however, a fort at the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which the English can reach the Mississippi. In the Illinois country are numberless mines, but no one to work them as they deserve." Father Marest, writing from thepost at Vincennes, in 1812, makes the same observation. Vivier also says: "Some individuals dig lead near the surfixce and supply tlie Indians and Canada. Two Spaniards now here, who claim to be adepts, say that our mines are like those of Mexico, and that if we would dig deeper, we should find silver under the lead ; and at any rate the lead is excellent. There is also in this country, beyond doubt, copper ore, as from time to time large pieces are found in the streams." At the close of the year 1750, the French occupied, in addition to the lower Mississippi posts and those in Illinois, one at Da Quesne, one at the Maumee in the country of the Miamis, and one at Sandusky, in what may be termed the Ohio Valley. In the northern part of the Northwest they had stations at St. Joseph's on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan, at Fort Poncliartraiii (Detroit), at Michiilimackanac or Massillimacanac, Fox Iliver of Green Bay, and at Sault Ste. Marie. The fondest dreams of La Salle were now fully realized. The French alone were possessors of this vast realm, basing tlieir claim on discovery and settlement. Another nation, liowever, was now turning its attention to this extensive country, andhearing of its wealth, began to lay plans for occupying it and tor securing the great profits arising therefrom.

Discoveey Of The Ohio

This " Beautiful " river was discovered by Robert Cavalier de La Salle in 1669, four years before the discovery of the Mississippi by Joliet and Marquette.

"While La Salle was at his trading post on the St. Lawrence, he found leisure to study nine Indian dialects, the chief of which was tlie Iroquois. He not only desired to facilitate his intercourse in trade, but he longed to travel and explore the unknown regions of tlie West. An incident soon occurred which decided him to fit out an exploi'iiig expedition.

While conversing with some Senecas, he learned of a river called the Ohio, which rose in their country and fiowed to the sea, but at snch a distance that it required eiffbt months to reach its mouth. In this statement the Mississippi and its tributaries were considered as one stream. La Salle, believing, as most of the French at that period did, tliat the great rivers flowing west emptied into the Sea of California, was anxious to embark inthcenter- ])rise of discovering a route across the continent to the commerce of China and Japan.

lie repaired at once to Quebec to obtain the approval of the Governor. His eloquent ajipeal prevailed. The Governor and the Intendant, Talon, issued letters patent authorizing the enterprise, but made uo provision to defray the expenses. At this juncture tlie seminary of St. Siilpice decided to send out missionaries in connection witli the ex]iedition, and La Salle olTering to sell Ids impr()ven;ients at La Chine to raise money, the offer was accepted by the Superior, and two tiiousand eight hundred dollars were raised, with which La Salle purchased four canoes and the necessary supplies for the outfit.

On the 6th of July, 1CG9, the party, numbering twenty-four persons, embarked in seven canoes on the St. Lawrence; two additional canoes carried the Indian guides. Li three days they were gliding over the bosom of Lake Ontario. Tiieir guides conducted them directly to the Seneca village on the bank of the Genesee, in the vicinity of the present City of Kochester, Kew York. Here they expected to procure guides to conduct them to the Ohio, but in this they were disappointed.

The Indians seemed unfriendly to the enterprise. La Salle suspected that the Jesuits had prejudiced tlieir minds against his plans. After waiting a month in the hope of gaining their object, thev met an Indian from the Iroquois colony at the head of Lake Ontario, who assured them that they could there find guides, and ofiei'ed to conduct them thence.

On their way they passed the mouth of the Niagara River, when they heard for the first time the distant thunder of the cataract. Arriving among the Iroquois, they met with a friendly reception, and learned from a Shawanee prisoner that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks. Delighted witli the unexpected good fortune, they made ready to resume their journey; but just as they were about to start they heard of the ai'rival of two Frenchiuen in a neighboring village. One of them proved to be Louis Joliet, afterward famous as an explorer in the West. He had been sent by tlie Canadian Government to explore the co])per mines on Lake Superior, but had failed, and was on his way back to Quebec. He gave the missionaries a map of the country he had explored in the lake region, together with an account of the condition of the Indians in that quarter. This induced the priests to deterniine on leaving the expedition and going to Lake Superior. La Salle warned them that the Jesuits were probably occuj^ying that field, and that they would meet with a cold reception. Nevertheless they persisted in their purpose, and after worship on the lake shore parted from La Salle. On arriving at Lake Superior, they found, as La Salle had predicted, the Jesuit Fathers, Manjuette and Dablon, occupying the field.

These zealous disciples of Loyola informed them that they wanted no assistance from St. Sulpice, nor from those who made him their ]iatron saint; and thus repulsed, they returned to Montreal the following June without having niade a single discovery or converted a single Indian.

After parting with the priests, La Salle went to the chief Iroquois village at Onondaga, where he obtained guides, and passing thence to a tributary of the Ohio south of Lake Erie, he descended the latter as far as the falls at Louisville. Thus was the Ohio discovered by La Salle, the persevering and successful French explorer of the AVest, in 1669.

The Northwest Territokv

wliicli purports toliave Lecn taken from the lips of La Salle himself during a subsequent visit to Pai-is. In a letter written to Count Frontenac in 1067, shortl}- after the discovery, he himself says that he discovered the Ohio and descended it to the falls. This was regarded as an indisputable fact by the French authorities, who claimed the Ohio Valley upon another ground. When "Washington was sent by the colony of Virginia in 1753, to demand of Gordeur de St. Pierre why the French had built a fort on the Moiiongahela, the haughty commandant at Quebec replied: " We claim the country on the Ohio by virtue of the discoveries of La Salle, and will not give it up to the English. Our orders are to make prisoners of ever\' Englishman found trading in the Ohio Valley."

English Explorations And Settlements

When the new year of 1750 broke in upon the Father of Waters and the Great Northwest, all was still wild save at the French posts already described. Li 1749, when the English first began to think seriously about sending men into the West, the greater portion of the States of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Miciiigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were yet under the dominion of the red men. The English knew, however, pretty conclusively of the nature of the wealth of these wilds. As early as 1710, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, liad commenced movements to secure the country west of the Alleghanies to the English crown. In Pennsylvania, Governor Keith and James Logan, secretary of the province, from 1719 to 1731, represented to the powers of England the necessity of securing the Western lauds. Xothimr

England had from the outset claimed from the Atlantic to tlie Pacific, on the ground that the discovery of the seacoast and its possession was a discovery and possession of the country, and, as is well known, her grants to the colonies extended "from sea to sea." This was not all her claim. She had purchased from tlie Indian tribes large tracts of laud. This latter was also a strong argument. As early as 16S4, Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, held a treaty with the six nations. These were the great Northern Confederacy, and comprised at first the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayngas, and Senecas. Afterward the Tuscaroras were taken into the confederacy, and it became known as the Six Nations. They came under the protection of the mother country, and again in 1701, they repeated the agreement, and in September, 172(3, a formal deed was drawn np and signed by the chiefs. The validity of this claim has often been disputed, but never successfully. In 1744, a purchase was made at Laucaster, Pennsylvania, of certain lands within the "Colony of Virginia," for which the Indians received £200 in gold and a like sum in goods, with a promise that, as settlements increased, more should be paid. The Commissioners from Vii'ginia were Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel William Beverley. As settlements extended, the ]iromise of more pay was called to mind, and Mr. Conrad Weiser was sent across the mountains with presents to appease the savages. Col. Lee, and some Virginians accompanied him with the intention of soiiii(lin£j; the Indians upon tlieir feelings regarding tlie English. They were not satisfied with their treatment, and plainly told the Commissioners why. The English did not desire tlie cultivation of the country, hut the monopoly of the Indian trade. In ITJrS, the Ohio Company was formed, and petitioned the king for a grant of hind beyond the Alleghenies. This was granted, and the government of Virginia was ordered to grant to them a half million acres, two hundred thousand of which were to be located at once. Upon the 12th of June, 1740, 800,000 acres from the line of Canada north and west was made to the Loyal Company, and on the 29th of October,

1751, 100,000 acres were given to the Greenbriar Company. All this time the French were not idle. They saw that, should the British gain a foothold in the West, especially upon the Ohio, they might not only prevent the French settling upon if, but in time would come to the lower posts and so gain -possession of the whole country. Upon the 10th of May, 1774, Yaudreuil, Governor of Canada and the French possessions, well knowing the consequences that must arise from allowing the English to build trading posts in the Northwest, seized some of tlieir frontier posts, and to further secure the claim of the French to the West, he, in 174!), sent Louis Celeron with a party of soldiers to plant along the Ohio River, in the mounds and at the mouths of its principal tributaries, plates of lead, on which were inscrii)ed the claims of France. These were heard of in

1752, and within the memory of residents now living along the "Oyo," as the beautiful river was called by the French. One of these plates was found with the inscription partly defaced. It bears date August ICi, 174'J, and a copy of the inscription with j)articuhir account of the discovery of the plate, was sent by DeWitt Clinton to the American Anti(juarian Society, among whose journals it may now be found.* These measures did not, however, deter the English from going on with their explorations, and though neither party resorted to arms, yet the conflict was gathering, and it was only a question of time when the storm would burst upon the frontier settlements. In 1750, Christopher Gist was sent by tlie Ohio Company to examine its lands. He went to a village of the Twigtwees, on the Miami, about one hundred and fifty miles above its mouth. He afterward spoke of it as very populous. From there he went down the Ohio River nearly to the falls at the present City of Louisville, and in ISovember he commenced a survey of the comjmny's lands. During the winter, General Andrew Lewis performed a similar work for the Greenbriar Company. Meanwhile the French were busy in preparing their forts for defense, and in opening roads, and also sent a small party of soldiers to keep the Ohio clear. This party, having heard of the English post on the Miami

* The following is a translation of the inscription on the plate: "In the year 1749, reign of JiOuis XV., King of France, we, Celeron, commandant of a detachment by Monsieur the Marquis of Gallisoniere, conunander-in-cliief of New France, to establish tranquility in certain Indian villages of these cantons, have buried this plate at the confluence of the Toradakoin, this tvventy-ninth of July, near the river Ohio, otlierwise Beautiful River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken of the said i-iver, and all its tributaries; inasmuch as the preceding Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms and treaties; esp cially by those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix La C'hapelle."

River, early in 1652, assisted by the Ottawas and Ciiipptiwas, attacked it, and, after a severe battle, in which fourteen of the natives were killed and others wounded, captured the garrison. (They were pi'obably garrisoned in a block house). The traders were carried away to Canada, and one account saj'S several were burned. This fort or post was called by the English Pickawillany. A memorial of the king's ministers refers to it as " Pickawillanes, in the center of the territory between the Ohio and the Wabash. The name is probalily some variation of Pickaway or Picqna, in 1773, written by Ilev. David Jones, Pickaweke."

Tliiswas the first blood shed between the French and English, and occurred near the present City of Piqua, Ohio, or at least at a point about forty-seven miles north of Dayton. Each nation became now more interested in the progress of events in the Kortliwest. The English determined to purchase from the Indians a title to the lands they wished to occupy, and Messrs. Fry (afterward ('ommander-in-chief over Washington at the commencemant of the French War of 1775-1763), Lomax and Patton were sent in the spring of 1753 to hold a conference with the natives at Logstown to learn what they objected to in the treaty of Lancaster already noticed and to settle all difficulties. On the Oth of June, these Commissioners met the red men at Logstown, a little village on the north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the site of Pittsburgh. Here had been a trading point for many 3'ears, but it was abandoned by the Indians in 1750. At first the Indians declined to recognize the treaty of Lancaster, but, the Commissioners taking aside Montour, the interpreter, who was a son of the famous Catharine Montour, and a chief among the Six Nations, induced him to use his influence in their favor. This he did, and upon the 13th of June they all united in signing a deed, confirming the Lancaster tre;i,ty in its full extent, consenting to asettlement of the southeast of the Ohio, and ijuaranteeino; that it should not be disturbed by them. Those were the means used to obtain the first treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley.

Aleanwhile the powers beyond the sea were trying to out-maneuver each other, and were professing to be at peace. The English generally outwitted the Indians, and failed in many instances to fulfill their contracts. They thereby gained the illwill of the red men, and further increased the feeling by failing to provide them with arms and ammunition. Said an old chief, at Easton, in 175S: "The Indians on the Ohio left you because of _yonr own fault. When we heard the French were coming, we asked you for help and arms, but we did not get them. The French came, they treated us kindly, and gained our aftections. The Governor of Virginia settled on our lands for his own benefit, and, when we wanted help, forsook us."

At the beginning of 1653, the English thought they had secured by title the lands in the West, but the French hud (piietly gathered cannon and military stores to be in readitiess for the expected blow. The English made other attempts to ratify these existing treaties, but not until the s immer could the Indians be gathered together to discuss the plans of the French. They had sent messages to the French, warning them away; but they replied that they intended

Soon after this, no satisfaction being obtained from the Oliio regarding the positions and purposes of the French, Governor Dinwiddle of Virginia determined to send to them another messenger and learn from them, if possible, their intentions. For this purpose he selected a young man, a surveyor, who, at the early age of nineteen, had received the rank of major, and who was thoroughly posted regarding frontier life. This personage was no other than the illustrious George Washington, who then held considerable interest in "Western lands. He was at this time just twenty-two j'ears of age. Taking Gist as his guide, the two, accompanied by four servitors, set out on their perilons march. They left Will's Creek on the 10th of November, 1753, and on the 22d reached the Monongahela, about ten miles above the fork. From there they went to Logstovvn, where Washington had a long conference with the chiefs of the Six Nations. From them he learned the condition .of the French, and also heard of their determination not to come down the river till the following spring. The Indians were non-committal, as they were afraid to turn either way, and, as far as they could, desired to remain neutral. Washington, finding nothing could be done with them, went on to Venango, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek. Here the French had a fort, called Fort Machault. Through the rum and flattery of the French, he nearly lost all his Indian followers. Finding nothing of importance here, he pursued his way amid great privations, and on the 11th of December reached the fort at the head of French Creek. Here he delivered Governor Dinwiddle's letter, received his answer, took his observations, and on the 16th set out upon his return journey with no one but Gist, his guide, and a few Indians who still remained true to him, notwithstanding the endeavors of the French to retain them. Their homeward journey was one of great peril and suffering from the cold, yet they reached home in safety on the 6th of January, 1754.

From the letter of St. Pierre, commander of the French fort, sent by Washington to Governor Dinwiddle, it was learned that the French would not give up without a struggle. Active preparations were at once made in all the English colonies for the coming conflict, while the French finished the fort at Venango and strengthened their lines of fortifications, and gathered their furces to be in readiness.

The Old Dominion was all alive. Virginia was the center of great activities; vo - unteers were called for, and from all the neighboring colonies men rallied to the conflict, and everywhere along the Potomac men were enlisting under the governor's ]5roclamation - which promised two hundred thousand acres on the Ohio. Along this river they were gathering as far as Will's Creek, and far beyond this point, whither Trent had come for assistance for his little band of forty-one men, who were working away in hunger and want, to fortify that point at the fork of the Ohio, to which both parties were looking with deep interest.

"The first birds of s]iring filled the air with their song; the swift river rolled by the Allegheny hillsides, swollen l)y rhe melting snows of spi-ing and the April sliowers. The leaves were appearing; a few Indian seoiits were seen, but no enemy seemed near at hand; and all was so qniet, that Frazier, an old Indian scout and trader, who had been left b^' Trent in command, ventured to his home at the month of Turtle Creek, ten miles up the Monongaliela. But, though all was so quiet in that wilderness, keen eyes had seen the low intrenchnie.it rising at the fork, and swift feet had borne the news of it up the river; and upon the morning of the 17th of April, Ensign Ward, who then had charge of it, saw n]-)on the AUeirhenv a sight that made, his heart canoes filled with nien, and laden deep with cannon and stores. * * * Tlnit evening he supped with his captoi', Oontrecceiir, and the next day he was bowed off by the Frenchman, and with his men and tools, marched u]) the Monongalicla. ''

The French and Indian war had begun. The treaty of Aix la Chapelle, in 17-18, had left the boundaries between the French and English possessions unsettled, and the events already nairated show the French were determined to hold the country watered by tiie Mississippi and its tributaries; while the English laid claims to the country by virtue of the discoveries of the Cabots, and claimed all the country from Newfoundland to Florida, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The first decisive blow had now been sti-nck, and the first attempt of the English, through the Ohio Company, to occupy these lauds, had resulted disastrously to them. The Frenuli and Indians immediately completed the fortifications begun at the Fork, wliich they had so easily captured, and when completed gave to the fort the name of Du Quesne.

Washington was at Will's Cieek when the news of the ca])tureof the fort arrived. He at once departed to recapture it. On his way he entrenched himself at a place called the " Meadows," where he erected a tort called by him Fort Necessity. From there he surprised and captured a force of French and Indians marching against him, but was soon after attacked in his fort by a much superior force, and was obliged to yield on the morningof July ith. He was allowed to return to Virginia.

The English Government immediately ]ilanned fonr campaigns; one against Fort Du Quesne; one against Nova Scotia; one against Fort Niagara, aiul one against Crown Point. These occurred during 1755-6, and were not successful in driving the French from their possessions. The expedition against Fort Dii Quesne was led by the famous General Braddock, who, refusing to listen to the advice of Washington and those acquainted with Indian warfare, sufiercd sucii an inglorious defeat. This occurred on the morning of Jul}' 0th, and is generally known as the battle of Monongahela, or " Braddock's Defeat." The war continued with various vicissitudes through the years 1750-7; when, at the commeneeof 1758 in accordance with the plans of William Pitt, then Secretary of State, afterward Lord Chatham, active preparations were made to carry on the war. Three expeditions were jilanned for this year: one, under General Amherst, against Louisburg; another, under Abercrombie, against Fort Ticonderoga; and a third, under General Forbes, against Fort Du Quesne. On the 2fith of July, Louisburg surrendered after a dcsjici'ate resistance of more than forty days, and the eastern part of tlie Canadian possessions fell into the hands of tlie British. Abercrombie captured Fort Frontenac, and when the expedition against Fort Du Quesiie, of which Washington had the active command, arrived there, it was fonnd in flames and deserted. The English at once took possession, rebuilt the fort, and in honor of tlieir ill nstrions statesman, changed tlie name to ' Fort Pitt.

The great olijcct of the campaign of 1759, was the reduction of Canada. General Wolfe was to lay siege to Quebec; Amherst was to reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and General Prideaux was to capture Niagara. This latter place was taken in Jiilj, but the gallant Prideaux lost his life in the attempt. Amherst captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point without a blow; and Wolfe, after making tlie memorable ascent to the plains of Abraham, on September 13th, defeated Montcalm, and on the IStli, the city capitulated. In this engagement Montcalm and Wolfe both lost tlieir lives. De Levi, Montcalm's successor, marched to Sillery, three miles above the city, with the purpose of defeating the English, and there, on the 2Sth of the following April, was fought one of the bloodiest battles of the Freneii and Indian war. It resulted in the defeat of the French, and the fall of the city of Montreal. The Governor signed a capitulation, by which the whole of Canada was surrendered to the English. This practically concluded the war, but it was not until 1763 that tlie treaties of peace between France and England were signed. This was done on tiie lOih of February of that year, and under its provisions all the country east of the Mississipjii and north of the Ihci-^-ille

On the 13th of September, 17C0, Major Eobert Rogers was sent from Montreal to take charge of Detroit, the only remaining French post in the territory. Lie arrived thereon the 19th of November, and summoned the place to surrender. At first the commander of the post, Beletre, refused, but on the 29th, hearing of the continued defeat of the French- arms, surrendered. Rogers remained there until December 23d, under the personal protection of the celebrated chief, Pontiac, to whom, no doubt, he owed his safety. Pontiac had come here to inquire the purposes of the English in taking possession of the country. He was assured that the}' came simply to trade with the natives, and did not desire theircountry. This answer conciliated the savages, and did much to insure the safet}' of Rogers and his party during their stay, and while on their journey home.

Rogers set out for Fort Pitt on December 23d, and was just one month on the way. His route was from Detroit to Maumee, thence across the present State of Ohio directly to the fort. This was the common trail of the Indians in their journeys from Sanduskv to the Fork of the Ohio. It went from Fort Sandusky, where Sandusky city now is, crossed the Huron river, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to "Moliickon John's Town" Creek, on Moliikon Creek, the northern branch of White Woman's river, and then crossed to Beaver's town, a Delaware town on what is now Sandy Creek. At Beaver's town were prcibably one hundred and tifty warriors, and not less than three thousand acres of

The Xortliwest Territory was now entirely' niider the English rule. New settlements began to be rapidly made, and the jironiisc of a large trade was speedily manifested. Had the British carried out their jiromises with the natives, none of those savage butcheries would liave been perpetrated, and the country would liave been tlieir recital.

Tlie renowned chief, Pontiac, was one of the leading spirits in these atrocities. We will now pause in our narrative, and notice the leading events in liis life. The earliest authentic information regarding this noted Indian chief, is leai'iied from an account of an Indian trader named Alexander Henry, wlio, in the spring of 1761, penetrated his domains as far as Missillimacnac. I'ontiac was then a great friend of the French, but a bitter foe of the English, whom he considered as encroaching on his hunting grounds. Henry was obliged to disguise liimself as a Canadian to insure safety, but was discovered by Pontiac, who bitterly reproached him, and the English for their attempted snljjugation of the AV^est. He declared that no treaty had been made with them; no presents sent them, and tliat he would resent any possession of the West by that nation. He was at the time about fifty years of age, tall and dignified, and was civil and military ruler of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawatomies.

The Indians, from Lake ]\[icliigan to the borders of Xorth Carolina, were united in this feeling, and at the time of the treaty of Paris, ratified February K), 1763, a general conspiracy was formed to fall suddenly upon the frontier British posts, and with one blow strike every man dead. Pontiac was the marked leader in all this, and was the commander of the Cliij)pewas, Otta was, AVyandots, Miainis, Sliawanese, Delawares and Mingoes, who liad, for the time, laid aside their local quarrels to unite in this enterprise.

The blow came, as near as can bo ascertained, on ]\[ay 7, 1763. Nine British jiosts fell, and the Indians drank, "scooped lip in the hollow of joined Iiands," the blood of many a Briton.

Pontiac's immediate field of action, was the garrison at Detroit. Here, liowever, the plans were frustrated by an Indian woman disclosing the plot the evening previous to his ai-rivaL Everything was carried out, however, according to Poutiac's plans until the moment of action, when Major Gladwyn, the comiuander of the post, stepping to one of the Indian chiefs, suddenl}' drew aside his blanket and disclosed the concealed musket. Pontiac tliough a brave man, turned pale and trembled. He saw liis plan was known and that the garrison were prepared. He endeavored to exculpate liimself from any such intentions; but the guilt was evident, and he and his followers were dismissed with a severe reprimand, and warned never to again enter the walls of the post.

Pontiac at once laid siege to the fort, and until the treaty of peace between the British and the Western Indians, concluded in August, 1764, continued to harass and besiege the fortress. He organized a regular commissariat department, issued bills of credit written out on bark, which to liis credit, it may be stated, were punctu- ally redeemed. At the conclusion of the treaty, in which it seems he took no part, he went farther south, living many years among the Illinois.