Randolph County, Indiana - Chapter 3: Indian Occupancy Territory Acquired by White Men, 1914

"When man first appeared on the soil of America is unknown; the record is lost in the misty ages of the past. Bvit certain it is that for thousands of years before the age of history man dwelt in America. When the Europeans first landed on the American coast, they found in the unknown world a race of people who had traditions running back for many centuries. So long had they been here that they had lost all knowledge of tradition of whence they came. It was a race different in almost every respect from any of the other known races of the world. But prior to their time, running back for many ages, there had been another race which had peopled the continent and governed it for centuries and possibly for thousands of years, but that race had disappeared so long before the Indians took possession, that the red man had no tradition of them. Whether this race was the predecessor or the successor of still another race which has left evidence of its existence, is not known. The Toltecs of Mexico, the predecessors of the Aztecs, left records reaching back for a thousand years before the Christian era, and yet these records reach not back far enough to give the world any knowledge of the race which built the famous buried cities of Central America. The ruins in Central America show that at one time there had existed a race far advanced in civilization, living in houses in walled cities. Those cities were large enough to have contained a population reaching far in the thousands, possessing great wealth and a knowledge of many of the arts and sciences. The race that built and occupied those cities had disappeared, and the cities had been ruined and destroyed so long before the advent in Mexico of the Toltecs that the latter had no knowledge of them.

The growth of a people which depends for increase upon natural causes must of necessity be very slow; therefore, to have reached so great a population as occupied the ruined cities of Central America, the race must have dwelt upon the continent many centuries. To destroy a race, overturn its cities, and bury their ruins so deep that an occupation of the soil around them and over them, by another race for many centuries, revealed no knowledge of such ruins, must have required ages. Yet such is the history of

Central America. In Indiana we find no trace of such a race, yet there is abundant evidence to show that at one time, long anterior to the coming of the red man, Indiana was quite densely populated by a race that lived, flourished and passed away without leaving any records except in its monuments, weapons, and uten^ls for domestic use. ' This has been called the race of Mound Builders. Who were they? Whence came they? When, where and how did they disappear? These questions remain unanswered, yet the fact is patent that at one time Indiana was quite densely populated by them. The works left by this prehistoric race are of three kinds - fortifications, mounds and memorial pillars. This is not the usual classification, for what are here denominational memorial pillars are generally classed as mounds." - Smith's History of Indiana.)

The greatest specimen of the mound builderS' art and the best known group of mounds is near Newark, Ohio, and consists of "elaborate earth works, in the form of a circle, octagon and square, enclosing an area of about four square miles, on the upper terrace between two branches of the Licking river. Scattered over the same plain, and crowning the neighboring hills, are numerous mounds, evidently erected by the same people that built the larger works." There seems to have been two similar chains of mounds extending from Ohio to Central America. They crossed Indiana in two chains, one in the southern part of the state, where there are some splendid specimens yet remaining, the other through the central part of the state, passing through Randolph county.

We have in this county two classes of mounds ; one a fortification and the other memorial mounds. The fortification, or "The Old Fort," as it is known in the early history of the county, is hear the city of Winchester, on what was formerly the county fair grounds. It is the best specimen of mound builders' fortifications found in the state. It is not only the largest, but is constructed on more scientific plans than any other of the state. It is an enclosure of about forty-three acres, and a rectangle of almost equal size, being 1,350 feet east and west, and about 1,200 feet north and south, as is shown on the map of it here given. There were two openings of about eighty feet, one in the east and one in the west end. The west opening was protected by a semi-circular embankment, with one part of the circle opened, so as to make the entrance easy of access, and yet protected. The embankments were from seven to ten feet high and when the first settlers entered this county they were covered with large forest trees, similar to those of the surrounding country. So far as we are able to learn, no scientific investigation has ever been made relative to the structure of these walls, which seems to have been made by throwing up dirt from the adjacent territory. The walls, except those on the south, have been carried away and made into brick. In the exact center of this fortification is a mound, at this time about fifteen feet high. No large trees have grown on the mound, but quite a number were near its edge. These trees, however, do not in the least indicate the proper age of these specimens of the mound builders' art. The mounds in general and this mound in particular, Dr. A. J. Phinney, writing of the geology of Randolph county for the State Geologist's Report of 1882, says: (It will be noted that Dr. Phinney's statements differ a little from the one given before, but we give each of them for what they are worth; they matter only in details and not in any essentials.)

"Evidences of a prehistoric race are abundant, and of such a character, in view of the magnitude of their works, that the observer experiences a feeling akin to reverence toward the mighty people, whose history is only written in their majestic ruins. In nearly every part those relics, as arrow-heads, axes, pestles, etc., have been found. From whence did they come? What their conditions of life, their religion, and fate? are questions one intuitively.

asks when in the presence of their monuments of industry. The largest works of this ancient people are near Winchester, west of the confluence of Sugar creek with White river. It consists of a walled rectangular enclosure, with curved angles, 1,320 feet long, and 1,080 feet wide. Its area is thirtyone acres. Part of the south and west walls lies within the county fair grounds, the remainder in cultivated fields, and they are in a fair way to be entirely destroyed. On the eastern half of the south wall, which has never been disturbed, are beech trees two feet in diameter. This part of the wall is the highest; and though it may have once been from eight to ten feet in height, it is now not over six feet. In the center of the enclosure is a circular mound one hundred feet across, and about eight feet high. Excavations have been made seven or eight feet in tlepth, both from sides and summit, but nothing has ever been found. The east and west walls each have, near their middle, an opening, or gateway. The one on the east is unprotected, but the west one formerly had an embankment in the form of a half circle, which overlapped the gate way. No trace of this remains at present. The mound lies in a direct line between the two passage-ways. No evidence exists of a ditch either on the outside or inside.

]\Ir. John K. Martin, in removing part of the east wall, north of the opening, reports having found a number of holes about fifteen inches in diameter, and extending seven or eight feet below the summit of the wall. These evidently, mark the position of posts, and shows that the enclosure was further protected by a palisade. Just inside of the embankment and about three feet from the surface, piles of ashes and charcoal are frequently met with. Their position indicates that they have been covered by the wash from the walls. No relics have been found. Nearly east from the northeast corner of the enclosure is a fine spring.

Southeast of the works along Sugar creek the bluffs are sandy, and the Mound Builders probably used them for their burial ground, as many human skeletons have been exhumed while digging for gravel. The absence of all implements of warfare shows that this enclosure was not occupied for any length of time as a fortification but as a permanent residence. The streams are small and the bluffs low. Had the inclosure included the spring, the supposition that it was for protection, would have been more probable. It is not unlikely that this was a place for holding council or religious ceremonies. In section 2^, range 14 east, Washington township, is a large circular mouiid, which, although now somewhat reduced in size, could not have formerly been less than fifteen feet high and one hundred feet in diameter. In section

23, same township, is another, which measured three hundred feet in circumference and fifteen feet high; this was better preserved than the former. Small bowlders were observed on the summit and sides. No excavations had been made in either of these mounds. Both were evidently built of clay taken from the immediate vicinity. They may have served as points of outlook, as they are only about one mile apart. In section 4, one mile southwest of the last one described, is a very large mound which is considered artificial by the people in that vicinity ; but its relation to some small streams suggested that it was more likely one of nature's carving. On the map is marked its location, as future investigations may probably show that it really belongs with the works of the Mound Builders.

In section 28, range 12 east, 20 north, Stoney Creek township, between Stoney creek and White river, is a large mound novjf covered with small oak trees. This is nearly circular, fifteen feet high, 150 feet in diameter. Excavations show that it is composed of clay mixed with charcoal and ashes. At the depth of nine feet a skeleton was found; beneath it was a pile of stone two feet high and three feet in diameter. Mr. Thompson, on whose farm this is situated, has quite a collection of implements found in this vicinity.

In section 10, range 13 east, 2 north, Franklin township, was a circular inclosure, with an area of about one and one-half acres. The walls were four feet high. Although when first noticed by the earlier settlers it was in a good state of preservation, it has been destroyed, and no trace of it remains. North of the Mississinewa river, between Ridgeville and Fairview, are a number of small tumuli, which contain ashes and charcoal. These may have been built by the Indians, as this used to be their camping ground.

Many of the gravel banks have served for the Indians as burial places, as skeletons are frequently met with while digging gravel for pikes. Some of the skeletons were of large size, and deposited with them were articles of ornament, as paint, shells, etc. The position of some indicate that they had been buried in a sitting posture."

Another embankment exists west of Winchester, near Sugar creek, enclosing, perhaps, an acre. These walls, however, are not very high, and little, if anything, can be learned of their structure.

Washington township has at least three excellent specimens; one near the head waters of White river, one near Rural, and one west of Lynn. Doctor Moore, of Earlham College, a man of unusual scientific ability and carefulness of expression, wrote the following of this mound :

Besides a number of well-defined made mounds in the neighborhood of Lynn Station on the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad there are frequent examples of natural mounds. These are usually much larger than the artificial mounds. They may be compared to drift islands surrounded by flat areas of dark colored soil. Some of these mounds of modified drift have been utilized by ancient people as burial grounds. The one I speak of is a fraction over a mile west of Lynn Station. It is about one hundred and fifty yards in circumference and eighteen to twenty feet high, and is so symmetrical as to have the appearance of a made mound; but in a wide cuttmg made through it by the gravel haulers the structure clearly shows an aqueous deposit from top to bottom. In this mound the workmen say they have opened "more than a hundred graves." They "counted until they reached seventy." Quite a number of the skulls were sufficiently preserved to bear handling, even after being for a short time exposed to the air. Some of them on being treated with a solution of glue have rather a fresh, recent look. Very many of the bones were broken to crumbs by visitors in sport. Some of the skeletons were in a sitting posture with the chin crowded upon the knees.

The depth of the graves was from a yard or less to twelve feet or more. The skeletons were of both sexes and various ages, some quite young. It was alleged that a horse's bones were found, but I was unable to find the least scrap. They also tell of a dog's skull with the teeth all perfect. This is possibly so, but it would seem more likely that it was the head of a wolf, which is quite similar. Quite a number of implements were found, some of which are here on the table. One skeleton was found with a large dart in each hand.

They assert that a scapula was found pierced by a flint dart and that the dart was lodged in said bone, and that the bone immediately crumbled from about it. There were beads of bone, shell and copper - but few of the latter - also copper rings, tube pipes and various other things, the uses of which are not very well known.

You will see in the skulls presented for your examination that there is quite a diversity. Two of them are of the brachycephalic or short head type, one barely so, the other extremely so. The one has the lateral diameter on the proportion to the fore and aft, as 86 to lOO, the other of 92 to 100. The others are all orthocephalic, though one of them approaches to the long-head style.

You will note, not only the extent to which the teeth are worn, but also the peculiar manner of wearing. It will also be seen that decayed teeth, caries of the bone knd also signs of gumboils and abscesses are not confined entirely to civilized races. The upper wisdom teeth on one of the skulls show, each, examples of enamel tubercles on the fangs, a rather rare phenomenon, as I understand. You will note also in one of them an extraordinary double suture at upper border of occiput.

A question of interest : Did such diverse»skulls belong to the same tribe, or did different tribes at different times bury in the same grounds ?

A small mound west of Winchester, near the old Dunkirk meeting house, has been partially removed with no evidences of anything other than "a pile of dirt."

Stoney Creek township has the best specimens to be found in the county. There are some circular embankments near the Friends' meeting house at Cedar. A little north of Cabin creek there are two circular embankments together, the circles cutting each other. A small mound is in the center of each circle higher than the embankments. The earth for both the walls and the mounds would seem to have been taken from the space between the two, pretty much the same as is done or has been done in some of the Ohio mounds. The largest mound of the county, and one of the largest of the state, is to be found just east of Windsor, on the bluff between White river and Stoney creek. This is situated on the highest point to be found here and being some twenty-five or thirty feet high. It was, no doubt, used for observation purposes, while it is now covered with forest trees. We must consider them no objections to the above theory, because they in no way, as has been said before, indicate the age of these mounds. It is said that an excavation of considerable size formerly appeared, perhaps twenty rods from the base of the mound, and this is thought to have been the place from which the earth was taken for its construction. Excavations have been made in this mound, nothing, however, having been found, excepting some charcoal and a few arrow-heads, which were found in abundance in the surrounding fields. Squire Thompson, a former owner of this mound, had at one time many fine specimens of arrow-heads, hatchets, hammers and various other implements used, no doubt, by the builders of these mounds. However, these implements may not have been any of the work of the mound builders, for this mound would have served the purpose of a watch t6wer or protection to the American Indian, as well as to the mound builders, and may be silent remainders of many a bloody conflict in ages long since forgotten. There is another small mound across the river from the one just spoken of and not very far away.

It is the theory of some investigators that the mound builders emigrated from the east to the southwest, taking, perhaps, centuries of time in their travels and that these mounds were, in a way, only temporary affairs. But, who the mound builders were and whence they came, and whither they went, we know but little, for they have left no trace o^ their habitation, except these few crude mounds and embankments. In fact, we care but little about them, for no nation can expect future generations to be interested in its history unless they have left something that will in some way make humanity better. The passing of the mound builders was so remote that even the oldest of the American Indians have no tradition concerning them.

Just when or how the American Indian had its origin as such is not known. One theory is that they lived across the Bering Strait and have come into America through what is now Alaska. Another is, that they may have in some way drifted across the Pacific ocean, following the Japan current, and landed on the western coast of North America. The third is, that they entered North America from the northeast, having come from Iceland or some of the Northern islands. We are little concerned in their history, except those that formerly occupied this territory.

The great family of the Algonquins occupied this territory. Those entering into the treaty of Greenville were the Chippewas, Ottawas, Potawatamies, Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, W'eas and Kickapoos. Those occupying this immediate territory were the Miamis and the Shawnees. This was clearly defined in the speech made on the 22d day of July, 1795, in council at Greenville, when Little Turtle spoke as follows :

"General Wayne : I hope you will pay attention to what I now say to you. I wish to inform you where your younger brothers, the Miamis, live, and, also, the Potawatamies of St. Joseph's, together with the. ^Vabash- Indians. You have pointed out to us the boundary line between the Indians and the United States, but now I take the liberty to inform you that that line cuts oiif from the Indians a large portion of country whiclv has been enjoyed by my forefathers, time immemorial, without molestation or dispute. The print of my ancestor's houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion.

I was a little astonished at hearing you, and ray brothers who are now present, telling each other what business you had transacted together heretofore at Muskingum, concerning this country. It is well known by all my brothers present that my forefather kindled the first fire at Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to the headwaters of Scioto; from thence to its raouth; from thence, down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Wabash; and from thence to Chicago, on lake Michigan ; at this place I first saw my elder brothers, the Shawnees. I have now informed you of the boundaries of the Miami nation, where the Great Spirit placed my forefather a long time ago, and charged him not to sell or part with his lands, but to preserve them for his posterity. This charge has been handed down to me. I was much surprised to find that my other brothers dififered so much from me on this subject; for their conduct would lead one to suppose that the Great Spirit, and their forefathers, had not given them the same charge that was given to me, but, on the contrary, had directed them to sell their lands to any white man who wore a hat, as soon as he should ask it of them. Now, elder brother, your younger brothers, the iliamis, have pointed out to you their country, and also to our brothers present."

The Algonquins were the natural enemies of the Iroquois on the east, and the Dakotas on the west, and were held together as a nation because of the enmity of those two nations, yet the tribes were frequently at war among themselves, which made Indian occupancy uncertain at all times.

The Aliamis, who inhabited this particular territory, were among the highest type of the Algonquin nation of the Potawatamies, the AA'eas-and the Kickapoos, and were almost their equal.

The Shawnees were in southern Ohio and Kentucky and in southern Illinois. It were they who created the most trouble through the influence of Blue Jacket, Black Wolf and Tecumseh.

The Aliamis great chief was Me-che-can-noch-qua, or Little Turtle, who was a man of extraordinary courage and ability, and with physique equaling his courage. He was commanding in appearance and received unusual attention and rank from both the Indians and the whites. After the Indians had surrendered at Greenville, he visited Philadelphia, where, in recognition of his attitude toward the Americans, he was presented with a sword by President Washington. He fought until defeated, but knew when he was defeated. He advised against forming the confederacy by Tecumseh against the Indians. His successor was Pa-lonz-wa, or Francis Godfrov, as he was better known among the early settlers of this county. The Godfroy trail from Winchester to Fort Wayne was so named because one of the stations was at the home of Francis Godfroy. Godfroy was a man of unusual size and his courage and cunning won him a place with the Miamis, second only to Little Turtle. "During nearly all the time of his chieftainship he was a firm friend of the whites. As early as 1822 he employed some workmenfrom Fort Wayne to build for him on the banks of the Wabash a large house, after the manner and style of the white man of wealth. In this house he dispensed the most generous hospitahty, and Indian and white man alike were welcome to his board. When his tribe made the final treaty with the government and ceded possession of their lands in Indiana, four sections on the Mississinewa were reserved for Pa-lonz-wa. On this reservation he erected a trading post, and became, for those days, a noted merchant. Reckless and careless of money and having more land than he knew what to do with, he scattered his favors with a prodigal hand. It was told of him that being at Lafayette on one occasion when a steamboat arrived at that point from the Ohio river, he offered the captain a half section of land if he would convey him and his party to their homes, some three miles above where Peru now stands. The offer was accepted and the trip up the Wabash was made, but on the return to Lafayette the steamer was lost. Pa-lonz-wa made the deed to the promised half section.

"He died in 1840, and was buried on a high knoll which overlooks the Wabash. On his grave a marble shaft has been erected, bearing on one side his white name, and the date of his birth and death. On the other is the following tribute to his memory: 'Late Principal Chief of the Miami Nation of Indians. Distinguished for courage, humanity, benevolence and honor, he lived in his native forest an illustration of the nobleness of his race, enjoying the confidence of his tribe and beloved by his American neighbors. He died as he lived, without fear or reproach.' His funeral was one of the noted events of that day, and was attended by hundreds of Indians and whites. The principal address was delivered by Wa-pa-pin-sha, a noted Indian orator of his tribe. Translated, it is as follows :

'Brothers, the Great Spirit has taken to himself another of our once powerful and happy, but now declining, nation. The time has been when these forests were densely populated by the red men, but the same hand whose blighting touch withered the majestic frame before us and caused the noble spirit by which it was animated to seek another home, has dealt in a like manner with his and our fathers ; in like manner will he deal with us. Death of late has been common among us, so much so that a recurrence of it scarce- ly elicits our notice. But when the brave, the generous, the patriotic are blasted by it, then it is the tears of sorrow flow. Such is now the case. Our brother who has just left us was brave, generous and patriotic, and as a tribute to his merit and a reward for his goodness, the tears, not only of his own people, but of many white men, who are here assembled to witness his funeral rites, freely flow.

'At this scene the poor of his people weep, because at his table they were wont to feast and rejoice. The weak mourn his death, because his authority was ever directed for their protection. But he has left the earth - the place of vexation and contention - and is now participating with Pocahontas and Logan in those joys prepared by the Great Spirit for such as well and faithfully discharge their duties here. Brothers, let us emulate his example and practice his virtues.' "

"Pa-lonz-wa was followed in the chieftainship of his tribe by John Baptiste Big Leg, who was the last chief of the Miamis. He lies buried by the side of Pa-lonz-wa, and a plain marble slab marks the spot where his bones lie. It bears the following inscription : 'Head Chief of the Miami and Kansas Tribe. A brave warrior, a generous man, and a good Christian.' " Godfrey had three sons, Francis, Poqua and James.

Some of Godfrey's descendants yet live on the Mississinewa, near Peru, and one of them, showed the courage and fire of his ancestors by his deeds of bravery and endurance in rescuing and saving the lives of many people during the flood of 1913.

There were many Indians in the county at the time of its settlement, although there were no Indian villages. It is interesting to know the opinions of some of the early settlers concerning these Indians, and we shall here take the liberty to quote some of them, found in Tucker's History, under the head of Biographies.