Miami County, Indiana - Chapter 3: Indian History, 1896

Chapter 3: Indian History

HE Indian trail wound through the woods, T O'er prairie, hill, and dale, Below the mount, abave the fioods, Around the gulch and dale; Along the high dividing ridge Where gurgling streams arose, By shallow ford or rocky bridge, To watch their wily foes. * * * * *

Ere long the treaty-making power And chieftains had 'a talk;" Soon after, the surveyor's corps ,Trailed on their weary walk. And when the Indians had grown tame The ''squatter " claimed his home; At length the thrifty settler came To build a prouder dome. - Horace P. Biddle's American Boyhood.

HE history of Miami county includes an account of two great Indian tribes, T the Miamis and Pottawattomics. Both belong to the great Algonquin family, whieh formerly occupied the territory from Labrador to North Carolina and from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.

The Miamis

The Miamis were one of the proudest and most powerful of all the tribes that roamed the forests of Novth America. They were first known to history in 1658, ane were then found in Wisconsin around Green Bay. They then numbered 8,000 warriors. They were warlike and were continually engaged in bruils with their neighbors, the [roquvis, the Sioux and the French. It is said that in 1700 a whole village was swept away by their foes, the Sioux. The Miawiis were finally driven southward by the allied forces of the Iroquois, the Sioux and the French. avd in 1721 mention is made of the Wea band on the Wabash. During the Revolution this great tribe guve their influence to the English. but made peace after Clarke reduced Kaskaskia and other places in the West. During the quarter of a century immediately following the Revolution, they played their most important part in national history. In 1790, under the leadership of Little Turtle. they defeated the army of Hamar, and in 1791 inflicted the heaviest defeat ever suffered by the United States at the hands of the Indians, in the engagement with St. Clair.

The baughty Miamis, however, more than met their equals under General Wayne, and sustained a disastrous defeat in 1794 at the rapids of the Maumee.

At the close of the French and Jndian war, in 1765, the Miami confederacy was composed of four tribes possessing 1,050 warriors. They then counted about 600 families in the region later known as the Northwest Territory. When the colonies gained their independence, giant schemes were 'at once set on foot to colonize the Great West. The Northwest Territory was organized, embracing Ohio. Indiana, IVinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Floods of emigrants poured in along the river valleys of this vast territory. The Indians watched with jealous eye the encrvuachment of the whites, as they saw their forest cut, their game killed and driven away and their right to the soil disputed. Savage brutality was a common occurence. Standing armies were kept among them to anticipate any outrage, and war at any time was immineat. At the beginning of this century the Miamis had a number of able chiets and orators, who were very influential with all the Indian tribes in this section of the United States. hey were good in council, able in battle, and when some instance of cruelty on the part of the whites was brought to their notice, they at once flew to the different tribes uud excited them to war.

An old cbief, while in council with General Harrison, said: '*Why do you cail'us children ? Why do you not make us as happy as our fathers, the French, did? They never took from us our lands; indeed, they were common between us. They hunted and planted where they pleased ; they cut wood where they pleased, and so did we ; but'now if a poor Indian attempts to take a little bark from a iree to cover him from the rain, up comes a white man who threatens to shoot him."

Complaint was becoming more and more comnion aniong all the Indians. Crafty ones seized the opportunity to arouse greater and greater discontent. In

1811, Law-le-was-i-kaw (loud voice), a half-brother of the renowned Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, a good orator, striking in appearance and possessing much personal magnetism, went from tribe to tribe and aroused the Indians to battle. They congregated their forces near the mouth of the Tippecanoe river. On the morning of Nov. 7, 1811, two hours before daylight, they rushed into the tents of the sleeping soldiers, many of whom awoke to receive the uplifted knife and murderous tomahawk. With the early beam of the morning, however, the savages were driven from the field, and the fight was ended. In this 'battle thirty-seven whites were killed and one hundred and fifty-one wounded, many of whom died of their wounds. Of the Indians, thirty-eight were killed and over one hundred and sixty wounded. It is said that the stentorian voice ot Law-le-was-i-kaw could be heard above the din of battle. The battie of 'Tippecanoe forever broke the Indian confederacy. It was the last united action in which the Miamis were engaged against the whites. "he war whoop was ended, the war dance no more and the tomahawk was buried with the forgotten years.

The onward tread of civilization drove the Indians farther aad farther westward. The Miamis permitted other tribes to settle on their lands, to bunt in their forests and to fishin their rivers and lakes. 'The French missionaries early sought their camp to teach them tu build houses, to cultivate the soil, and, above all, to point them to the Savior. They taught intermarriage between the French and Indians, believing it to be the best means of civilizing und converting them. All the Miamis left here, after the exodus in 1847, were part French. In fact, there were very few of those that were taken away but what were mixed with the French. It was not until a late period that the English intermarried with the Indians. 'The French and Indian blood are well developed, tall and bony, masculine-looking, stately in appearance, possessing irony and enduring features.

!n 1822 the Miamis had dwindled down to between two and three thousand people, all told. At this time the Baptists.made a strong effort to save and civilize the remnant, who were living oa tnree reservations, but with ouly partial success. The desire for liquor seemed ineradicable, and the payment of annuities gave them every opportunity for procuring it. Drunkeuness led to ianumerable fights amony the members of the tribe, and it is estimated that as many as five hundred were killed in these broils in eighteen years.

Treaties With The Miamis

The first treaty ever held with the Miamis was at Lancaster, Pa., en the 23d of July, 1:48. 'Three of their :oted chiefs were present from the Wabash country and met the English commissioners, when a firm treaty of alliance and friendship was then stipulated and agreed to between the parties. This treaty lasted for sixtv-three years.

The bold and decisive warfare of General Wayne compelled the Indians to ask for a treaty in 1795. 'The representatives of tiftuen tribes of the North-_ west Territory met in council-on the 16th day of June, that year. Thoy and General Wayne discussed the relations existine between themselves and the whites until the 3d day of August. 'The General offered to make a treaty with them on condition that they concede all the lands east of a line drawn through Fort Recovery to the mouth of the Kentucky river, including all of Ohio and receive instructions. Little Turtle, a chief of the Miamis, arose by the council fire. He was a brave warrior, an impassioned orator. He stood full six attention to what I now say to you. I wish to inform you where your younger brothers, the Miamis, new live. You have pointed out to us the boundary line between the Indians and the United States, but I now take the liberty to inform you that the line cuts off from the Indians a large portion of country which has been enjoyed by my forefathers time immemorial. We cannot receive the conditions of the treaty."

The instructions from Washington were that Wayne should not insist upon his boundary line, but accept that proposed by the Indians. Before the instructions arrived, however, the General had obtained from some of the chiefs a reluctant agreement to his terms. He thrust the Washington dispatch in his pocket and finally forced the Indians to accept the terms of his treaty. They thus gave up a yast and fertile territory and moved farther west.

The next great treaty, and the first to concern the Miamis and their near neighbors, the Pottawattomies, only, was concluded Oct. 6th, 1818" at St. Mary's, Ohio. The back of the Miami confederacy was broken by the battle of Tippecanoe. And after Indiana was admitted to the Union, the immigration of the whites became alurming to the Indians. They called for a treaty to establish the boundaries of their lands, if they had any at all. General Lewis Cass was one of the United States commissioners in the treaty of St. Mary's. By this treaty the Indians reserved a tract of land south of the Wabash, extending from a point near La Gro, in Wabash county, to the mouth of Eel river. Lines were drawn from these points south so as to include about 930,000 acres. The United States also agreed to build a mill at any point they might select. They chose a site on Mill Creek, four miles southwest of the city of Wabash, and there it was erected.

The treaty of most interest to the people of this county was held Oct. 23, 1826, near the mouth of the Mississinewa, on land now belonging to the Pefferman heirs, opposite Benjamin Wallace's winter show quarters. The Indians were here met by the United States commissioners, Lewis Cass, James B. Ray and John Tipton. They ceded «all their claims to the lands in the State of Indiana, north and west of the Wabash and Miami rivers, and of the cession made by said tribe to the United States by the treaty concluded at St. Mary's Oct. 6, 1818." By further provisions of the same treaty, the State of Indiana was authurized to lay out a canal or road through any of the reservations, and, for the use of the canal, six chains in width along the same was appropriated. In payment for this land they received $31,040.53 in goods and $31,040.53in cash. 'The following year, 1827, they received $61,259.47 in addition, and in 1828, $30,000. After that date they received a permanent annuity of $25,000.

In 1834 the government purchased of the Indians 177,000 acres, including a strip seven miles wide, off the west side of the reserve, in what is now Cass, Howard and Clinton counties, which was transferred to the State of Tndiana to be used for the completion of the Wabash and Erie canal, from the mouth of the Tippecanoe river. Previous to this a strip five miles wide along the Wabash had been appropriated to the construction of the canal to the mouth of the Tippecanoe. for which the government paid $335,680. Thus the great 'Thirty Mile Reservatior " kept gradually melting away. Dissatisfaction arose among a large portion of the tribe. Many proposed to sell the remaining portion of their reservation and move farther west, and a few wished to remain and engage in agriculture like the white people. This led to the great treaty of 1838.

On November 6, 1838, Abel C. 'Pepper, commissioner on the part of the United States. met the Indians at the junction of the Wabash and Little rivers, for the purpose of consulting them in regard to the purchase of the balance of the reservation. This was the great '' Treaty Ground," and a meeting of the United States commissioners here was a] ways a great occasion among the Indians, and they attended in large numbers. The town of Huntington is situated a short distance from the historic spot.

It will be of interest to the readers to clearly comprehend the importance of this noted treaty, and its stipulations and schedule are hereby printed in full:

*'ART. 1. The Miami tribe of Indians hereby cede to the United States all that tfact of land lying south of the Wabash river and included in the following boundaries, to-wit; Commencing at a point on said river where the western boundary line of the Miami line of the Miami Reserve intersects the same, near the mouth of Pipe Creek; thence south two miles; thence west one mile; thence south along said boundary line three miles; thence east to the Mississinewa river; thence up said river with the meanderings thereof, to the eastern boundary line of said Miami Reserve; thence north along said eastern boundary line to the Wabash river; thence down the said last named river, with the meanderings thereof to the place of beginning.

'«'The said Miami tribe of Indiansdo also hereby cede to the United States the three following reservations of land, made for the use of the Miami nation of Indians by the 2d article of a treaty made and concluded at St. Mary's, in the state of Ohio, on the 6th day of October, 1818, to-wit:

** Also One other reservation of land-made for the use of said tribe at Seek's village, on Eel river, by the 2d article of a treaty made and concluded on the 23d, of October, 1826.

'' ArT. 2. From the cession aforesaid, the Miami tribe reserve for the band of Me-to-sin, the tollowing tract of land, to-wit: Beginning on the western boundary line of Big Reserve, where the Mississinewa river crosses the same: thence down said river with the meanderings thereof to the mouth of the creek called Forked Branch; thence north two miles; thence in a direct

** Art. 8. In consideration of the cession aforesaid. the United States agree to pay the Miami tribe of Indians $335,680, - $60,000 of which to be paid immediately alter the ratification of this treaty and the appropriation to

_ Carry its provisions into effect; and the residue of said sum after the payment of claims hereinafter stipulated to be paid, in ten yearly installments of $12,568 per year.

_ Richardville; and the sum of $2,612 be paid Francis Godfroy; which said sums are their respective claims against said tribe prior to Oct. 23, 1834, excluded

'© ArT. 5. Thesaid Miami tribe of Indians being anxious to pay all their just debts, at their request it is stipulated, that immediately after the ratification of this treaty, the United States shall appoint a commissioner, or commissioners, who shall be authorized to investigate all claims against said

«ArT. 6. It is further stipulated that the sum of $150,000 out of the amount agreed to be paid to said tribe in the 3d article of this treaty, shall be set apart for the payment of the claims under the provisions of the 4th and 5th article of this treaty, as well as tor the balance ascertained to be due from said tribe by the investigation under the provisions of the treaty of 1834; _and should there be an unexpended balance in the hands of said commission or commissioners after the payment of said claims, the same shall be paid over to the said tribe at the payment of their next subsequent annuity; but should the said sum set apart for the purpose aforesaid, be found insufficient to pay the same, then the ascertained balance due on said claims shall be paid in three equal installments from the annuities of said tribe.

«« And the said Miami tribe of Indians, through this public: instrument jroclaim to all concerned that no debt or debts that any Indian or Indians of said tribe may contract with any person or persons, shall operate as a lien on who may by sufferance live on the land of, or intermarry in, said tribe, have any right to the land or any interest in the annuities of said tribe, until such

_ person or persons shall have been by general council adopted into their tribe. «Art. 7. And itis further stipulated, that the United States will cause plage as the chiefs of said tribe may designate; and the Indians of said tribe are to remain in the peaceable occupation of their present improvements until the United States shall make the said corresponding improvements.

Art. 9. The United States agree to cause the boundary lines of the land of said tribe in the state of Indiana, to be surveyed and marked within the period of one year after the ratification of this theaty.

Indians of, and guarantee to them forever, a country west of the Mississippi river. to remove and settle on, when th. said tribe may be disposed to emigrate from their present country, and that guarantee 1s hereby pledged and the said country shall be sufficient in extent, and suited to their wants and conditons, and be in a region contiguous to that in the occupation of the tribes which emi;rrated from the states of Ohio and Indiana. And when the said tribe shall have emigrated, the United States shall protect the said tribe and the people thereof, in their rights and possessioas, against the injuries, encroachments and oppressions of aby person or persons, tribe or tribes whatsoever.

ART. 11. It is further stipulated, that the United States will defray the expenses of a deputation of six chiefs or head,men, to explore the country to be assigned to said tribe west of the Mississippi river. Said deputation to be selected by said tribe in general council.

'©ArRT. 12. The United States agree by patent to each of the Miami Indians named in the schedule hereunto annexed, the tracts of land therein respectively designated.

«¢ And the said tribe in general council request, that the patents for the grant in said schedule contained, shall be transmitted to the principal chief of said tribe, to be by him distributed to the respective grantees.

'«Three sections of land, commencing at the mouth of the Salamonie river ; thence running three miles down the Wabash river and one mile up the Salamonie river.

--Two sections of land, commencing at the mouth of the Mississinewa river ; thence down the Wabash river two miles and up the Mississinewa river one mile.

** One and one-half sections of land on the Wabash river at the mouth of Flat Rock (creek). to include his mills and the privileges thereof.

'To Catherine Godfroy, daughter of Francis Godfroy, and her children, one section of land to run one mile on the Wabash river, and to include the improvements where she now lives.

'To Kah-tah-mong-quah, son of Susan Richardville, one section of land - on the Wabash river below and adjoining the three sections granted to John

'«To Mong-go-sah. son of La Blonde, onethalf section of land on the Wabash river below and adjoining the half section granted to Kah-tah-mong-quah.

'-'lo Peter Gouin, one section of land on the Sixth Mile Reserve, commencing where the northern line of said reserve intersects the Wabash river ; thence down said river one mile and back for quantity.

'«To Mais-shil-gouin-mi-zah, one section of land, to include the Deer Lick, alias La Sabine, on the creek that enters the Wabash river nearly opposite the town of Wabash.

'*To O-zan-shin-quah, and the wife of Brouillette, daughters of the «Deaf Man," as tenants in common, one section of land on the Mississinewa river, to include the improvements where they now live.

'*To Mais-zi-quah, one section of land on the Wabash river, commencing at the lower part of the improvement of ' Old Sally;" thence up said river and back for quantity.

«»To Black Loon, one section of land on the Six Mile reserve, commencing at a line which will divide his field on the Wabash river; thence up the river one mile and back for quantity.

'*To Duck, one section of Jand on the Wabash river below and adjoining the section granted to Black Loon, and one mile down said river and back for quantity.

's One and one-half sections, commencing on the Wabash river, where the road crosses the same from John B. Richardville. Jr.'s; thence down the said river to the high bank on Mill creek ; thence back so as to include a part of the prairie, to be surveyed as directed by said chief.

-- To Vow-wah-keo-shee, wife of old Pish-a-wa, one section of land on the Wabash river below and adjoining the half section granted to Mon-go-sah.

"To the wife of Benjamin Ah-mac-kon-zee-quah, one section of land where she now lives, near the prairie, and to include her improvements, she being commonly known as Pichoux's sister.

««To Pe-she wah, one section of land above and adjoining the section and a half granted to John B. Richardville on Flat Rock (creek), and to run one mile on the Wabash river.

''To La Blonde, the chief's daughter, one section of land on the Wabash river below and adjoining the section of land granted to Francis Godfroy, to be surveyed as she may direct.

'To Ni-con-zah, one section of land on the Mississinewa river, a little above the section of land granted to the Deaf Man's daughters, and on the opposite side of the river, to include the pine or evergreen tree, and to be surveyed as he may direct.

'¢To Jobn B. Richardville, one section of land, to include the Osage village on the Mississinewa river, as well as the burying ground of his family, to be surveyed as be may direct.

'¢To Kee-ki-lash-e-we-ah, alias Godfroy, one-half section of land back of the section granted to the principal chief, opposite the town of Wabash, to include the creek.

««To John B. Richardville, Jr., one section of land on Pipe creek, above and adjoining the two sections of land granted to the principal chief, to be surveyed as he may direct. :

'«It is understood that all the foregoing grants are to be located and surveyed so as to correspond with the public surveys as near as may be to include the points desiznated in each grant respectively."

''ArT. 13. And, it is furthur stipulated, that should this treaty not be ratified at the next session of the Congress of the United States, then it shall be null and void to all intents and purposes between the parties.

** ArT. 14.- Aad, whereas. John B. Richardville, the principal chief of said tribe, is very old and infirm, and not well able to endure the fatigue of a long journey, it is agreed that the United States will pay to him and his family the proportion of the annuity of said tribe, which their number shall indicate to be due to them, at Fort Wayne. whenever the said tribe shall emigrate to the country to be assigned them west, as a future residence.

''ART. 15. It is further stipulated, that as long as the Congress of the United States shall, in its discretion, make an appropriation under the 6th Article of the treaty, made between the United States and said tribe in the year 1826, for the support of the infirm ard the education of the youth of said tribe, one-half of the amount so appropriated shall be paid to the chiefs, to be by them applied to the support of the poor and infirm of said tribe, in such manner as shall be most beneficial. ''ART. 16. This treaty, after the same shall be ratified by the President of the Senate of the United States, shall be binding on the contracting parties. '*In testimony whereof the said Abel C. Pepper, commissioner as aforesaid, and the chiefs, head men and warriors of the Miami tribe ot Indians, have hereunto set their hands, at the forks of the Wabash, the 6th of November, 1838. '- SIGNED ABEL C. PEPPER, Commissioner, J. B. RICHARDVILLE, MINGENICKEAW, PAW-LAWN-ZO-aw (Godfroy), NO-WE-LANG-GANG-GAW (Big), O-ZAN-DE-AH (Leg), Wa-PA-PIN-SHAW (Black Raccoon), Nac-KAW GUAUNG-GAW, KAH-TAH-MAUNG-GUAW, KAH-WAH-ZAy. To-Ps-yaw (Francis La Fountaine), PE-WAW-PE-YAW, ME-SHING-GO-ME-JAW. Nac-Kon-zAaw, NE-KON-JAW, WAW-PE-MAUNG-QUAH (White Loon), CHING-GUAW-KE-AW, AW-KOO-TE-AW, KIL-so Aw, TAW-WE-KE-SE-AW, MAC-QUAW-KO-NAUNG, MAw-YAUC-QUE-YAW. (Son of Richardville). ««Signed in the presence of John T. Douglass, Sub-agent; Allen Hamilton, Secretary to Commissioner ; Daniel D. Pratt, Assistant Secretary to Commissioner; J. B. Duret, H. Lasalle, and William Hurlbert. Indian agent." The last treaty with the Miamis was held November 28, 1840, on the old treaty grounds, at the request of Metosina, who had lived at one place for four score years, and he asked that a reservation be made to him.e He was given fourteen sections of lanj, which made him one of the most extensive Indian land owners of his time. Samuel Milroy and Allen Hamilton were the commissioners at this treaty for the United States. 'The Indians now relinquished all claims to all lands south of the Wabash, except certain specific reservations. It was agreed that the Indians could remain five years, in order to give them time to hunt a location in the west. It was also stipulated that the sum of $25,000 of Francis -Godfroy, deceased. being the amount of their respective claims against the tribe. Soon after this treaty, the old chief, Metosina, died, om pee title to his lands were vested in his son, Me-shin-go-me-sia, who lived until his 98th year, passing away December 23, 1879.

It is seen that the chiefs were given large tracts of land, and often large sums of money, to perfect these treaties. Judge Horace P. Biddle relates a little anecdote of John B. Richardville: 'After the articles of the treaty of

1826 were all agreed upon, and the chiefs were about to 'touch the quill,' which means signing the treaty, Richardville addressed General Lewis Cass, who was one of the commissioners on the part of the United States :

The records show that by the several treaties the Miamis had ceded an aggregate ot 6,853,020 acres of land to the general government, and received in money and goods $1,261,707. 'They were given in exchange 44,040 acres, valued at $55,800, on which a few ot the chiefs and influential Miamis lived.

The last exodus of the Miamis has ever been a pathetic theme. It was a sad and mournful picture. They dreaded the day of departure.. Forever they were to leave behind them the scenes of childhood. Ezach river, hill or shady glen brought memories that were dear tothem. Forever they were to leave the scenes of their traditions, the loved spots of infancy, the hunting grounds of youth, the batcls fields of mature years - all to be marved by the woodman's ax and desecrated by the plow-share. It was a sad, mournful, melancholy, motley group ; some aloot, a few in wagons and many a-horseback. As they traveled along, some hid in trees and sume escaped iu the brush and returned to their old home. Thomas B. Helm, writer of histories of Wabash and Cass counties, says that the Miamis, at the time of their removal, numbered about 1,100 war viors, which probably represented 4 membership of from 5,000 to 6,000 souls." Helm is certainly in error as to the number of the Indians. It is said by pioneers who are well posted that only about 8U0 were removed. If Helm is correct, however, a large number must have died on the journey. According to the Indian census report, which was approved the same year of their arrival in Kansas. there were three bands, sixty-five families, numbering 286 souls. 'The census report further states that twelve of the sixty-five families lived by agriculture ; five children spoke English ; twelve Christians ; twelve temperate ; one hundred and sixty-five inebriates ; and eleven living in a state of polygamy.

When the Indians sold their lands to the United States, they were not paid the whole sum at once, but received so much per capita each year. This the government vglled '+ annuities," and the Indians called it '+ bread money." It would have been more appropriate to have called it «* whisky money,"' for it was early all spent for liquors. Had they received cash for their land they would have nearly all killed themselves in a prolonged drunken debauchery. These annuities were paid at the '*Forks," below Huntington. for a number of years, later at Wabash, and a few were paid at Peru. The time of paying these annuities was always a period of prosperity to all concerned. It was a motley crowd of Indians, traders, trappers and pioneers that congregated near Huntington at the annual payments. Numerous board shanties were erected and filled with good to be sold to the Indians, and people came from far and near to participate in the benefits to be derived from the money disbursed. As many as six well-filled stores, some of them with goods valued at from $5,000 to #6,000, would be found at the place, to say nothing of the bake shops, buteher shops and scores of other places at which the red men were supplied with luxuries and necessities. 'Two hundred and fifty Miamis drew annuities in Kana sas the first year after their removal, and each received $125. In 1875 the '*Miamis of Indiana" numbered 339, and the Eel River band nineteen. N early all of these had renounced their tribal relations and drew the interest on the money held for them by the United States. The total sum disbursed annually at Peru for a number of years was $12,000. The amount per capita varied as the number of indians increased or diminished. Some years there was a slight increase, but generally the deaths were in excess of the births. For the past few years the Court of Claims has been examining the books at Washington, and discovered that $48,528.38 had been paid erroneously to the Pottawattomies, instead of the Miamis. This was due to error by the enrolling officers nvhe early payments. M. D. Shelby, a special Indian agent, came to Peru in June, 1895, for the purpose of ascertaiving the actual interested parties in the disbursement. Representatives of families came from a number of the western States. By dn act of Congress, passed August 9th, 1888, it was declared that an Indian woman who marries a white man becomes a citizen of the United States and debars herse!f and her children from any annuity. This act cut quite a number of Indians out of any share in the disbursement. It was found by this last enrollment that there were only about 320 Miamis in the United States who were eligible to any part of this disbursement. These are scattered, some living in Kansas, in Arkansas and Indian Territory. A few are located in large cities, as Chicago, Fort Wayne and Lafayette. But the greater number of this once powerful tribe is living in Miami, Wabash, Grant and Huntington counties. Many of these are solid, substantial farmers, who have lost all their tribal customs and are very indifferent with regard to the history of their people. The younger Miamis are intermarrying with the whites, and it will only be a few years until this once great tribe of Indians will be known only to history. : THE POTTAWATTOMIES.

This great tribe of Indians, as late as 1826, held undisputed sway over the eatire region north of the Wabash, from Ohio to the Illinois line, and as far north as Michigan. They are first known to history in the early part of the seventeenth century and were found in the lower peninsula of Michigan. They were made up of scattered bands that were independent of each other. There is no trace at any time of general authority or government in their tribe. They were hunters and fishers and cultivated a little corn. Being ofa warlike nature, they were continually fighting with their neighbors, the [roquois, who drove them from their stronghold in southern Michigan. 'They settled on islands around Green Bay, and here the French established missions among them. For many years they were warm friends to the French and were allied with them in wars. During the Revolutions they gave aid to the Enelish. After that great struggle they spread in small bands in southern Michigan and in northern Indiana and Illinois. From 1803 to 1809 they sold much of their land.to the, government and received money and annuities sh fore, and by 1815 they had disposed of nearly all io their hunting grounds. 'The Wabash river was the natural boundary line between the Miamis and the Pottawattomies, and the latter occupied the lands on the north of the stream. At the time of their removal they far outnumbered the Miamis. From time immemorial these two great tribes lived near each other, and. - as a whole, were always friendly and peaceable among themselves. 'The

Miamie-were ever :much. superior ia point of intelligence-and civilization. The Pottawattomies 'were. filthy in'their habitsand degraded in their nature. fa-all their history, :they have no. moving spirit - no great man, and only 4 brisf account of them will be of interest to the general reader.

The first military expedition which penetrated the country of the Pattawattomies in Indiana was in 1791. In that year Colonel James Wilkinson led .a body of troops against the Indians oo the Wabash and burned their village of Oldtown, on the Eel river, seven miles above its mauth.

In the summer of 1886 the writer of this.history was.among the Miamis on the Mississinewa interviewing them. One character shall never be forgotzen. That, was an Indisn:commonly known :as ''Old Jim Sassafras." -He was of a moody, morose disposition, but when his sympathy and imagination was once aroused, he would burst forth with native eloquence. He claimed witb much pride to be a full-blooded Miami. He was quite old then and was living .all alone in a two-story frame house in Peoria. He firmly believed that all the bioodshed in Indian wars was caused by the whites. While talking upon this subject, he arose from where he was sitting and became most eloquent. He talked very rapidly in broken English, and one had to give very close attention to understand him. He said: '-Two Pottawattomie squaws go along with their pappooses wrapped in shawls on their backs. 'That was far, far that way (pointing to the east). "They come to some peach trees. They taste of some fruit. They like. Put down pappooses and spread blankets to put peaches in. They think all belong tu them. While man come out and see them take peaches. He shoot one squaw. (ne get away with her pappoose. The pappoose of dead squaw was by her side. White man come and take little girl _pappoose and run a sharp stick into its body betweer its legs. White man then put stick in ground with little girl pappoose stuck on top. This was Pottawattomie."

The old Indian spoke with so much force and sympathy that, had-he been' among his own people in the days of Indian warfare, he could have aroused a whole tribe to hostility.

This dreadful outrage, the old Indian said, caused the Pottawattomies to fly to arms, and soon all the neighboring. tribes were involved in war: Cruelty on the part of the whites was no doubt the cause of more than one Indian outbreak.

The first treaty in which the Pottawattomies alone were interested wae held July 15, 1815. They then declared that there should be '* perpetual peace" between themselves and the United States. By treaty, concluded October 2, 1818, they ceded all the territory twenty-five miles north of the. Wabash river. between the mouth.of the' Tippecanoe and Vermillion rivers; also all claim to lands south of the Wabash. At the mouth of the Mississinewa, on the 26th of October, 1826, tbey ceded all their rights to the forests of Indiana, except reservations here and there. Within the next. eleven years they made _ twenty treaties; and in the last one, concluded February 11, 1837, relinquished » all their rights to any part of the Jands, as a tribe, and agreed to be taken to Kansas in two years from that date. But the same year a small band of eighty or vinety, living in the northern part of the State, were taken to their new home by George Proffit, In the summer of 1888 the régular emigration of the Pottawattomies took place, under the management of Abel C. Pepper and John

Tipton. At the time of their removal they numbered about 2,500 warriors, or between 10,000 and 12.000 souls. The following winter was very cold in Kansas, and, not being well prepared for a change of climate, many of them died.

In 1862 a treaty was made with them giving individual Indians a title to their several tracts of land on.-certaiv conditions. Their population in 1867 was 2,180, and 1,400 of these were elected to become citizens and take lands in severalty, +80 to hold lands as a tribe. This experiment proved well with a few. But the great majority squandered their lands and became paupers. They then scattered in bands throughout the west. In 1874 there was one band of 486 in Jackson county, Kansas, on a reservation of 17,357 acres. One band of sixty then lived in Michigan, and one numbering 181 in Wisconsin. Individual members were scattered among various tribes in the southwest part of the United States. The number of Pottawattomies are decreasing year by