Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1838-09-15

and at the same time to redress the insult he
conceived he had himself sustained. Hecare-
fully approached the canoe, and finding his
victim still asleep he plunged the knife into his
side in three several placcs-then, coward-like
fled.
But Nawawgo had recognized him. I visit
ed the chief the next morning, for the purpose
of ascertaining who was his murderer. When
/ entertd his tent he lay upon his left side,
and his wife was bathing his wounds with the
juice Of some medicine herbs that he had him.
self prescribed. Knowing their belief that a
wounded person has it in his power to tell
whether he is to revive, asked him the ques-
ton, although from the state of his wounds, |
thought it impossible. His answer was, that
the Great Spirit did not make Nawawgo to be
murdered by oowardly assassin. then ask
ed him, who stabbed him to which he made
no reply. told him, that asthe council ground
was now the property of the United States,
while they remained there they were amena-
BILE to the laws, and that the criminal should be
punished. @a az psi-aa ia
The eyes of the wounded brave flashed fire,
and he made an effort to rise, as he said -
" Does the White Man think the son of Te-
cumseh squaw, that he has not courage-or a
child, that he has not strength, to punish a
coward ~
had touched tender chord of the braves
pride and in his agitation, the blood was
gurglng from his wounds at every breath. II
desisted, and returned home.
The summer passed off, and Nawawg 60 was
again recovered from his wounds. Nothing had
as yet transpired to lead to any suspicion of
the person that stabbed him. In September,
the Commissioners appointed for the purpose,
had caused the tribes to assemble, for the re-
ceiving of their annuitIties from government.
The day previous to the distributing of the
presents, the chiefs and head men were in
council upon green near the bank ofthe river.
Each had spoken, and the council were about
to dissolve, as Nawawgo rose for the second
time.
He commenced his harrangue by saying -
d" NV friends, our public business is al an end,
and hope satisfactorily settled. But have
private wrong, which must be settled ere we
leave this ground. There is person present
who stabbed Nawawgo in his sleep !" He
paused. All eyes wandered from one to the
other but found no resting place. He step
ped across the circle, put his left hand upon
the shoulder of the criminal, while in his right
he grasped the handle of his knife. "Will
you," said he to the terror-strcken coward,
acknowledge that you stole upon man in
his sleep, whom you dare not face when ex-
pected q He paused for reply. Receiving
none he buried his knife to the hilt in the
breast of the criminal, who dropped lifeless at
his feet.
The assembled chiefs looked on in silent q.
mazement, while Nawawgo walked to his ca
noe, pushed off, and padded for his tent OH the
opposite side Of the river. Curiosity led me, as
well as others, to be present at the burial. As
many as five hundred Indians (men, women
and children) had gathered round the grave,
expecting to hear the friends of the deceased
pledge themselves, over his dead body, to re-
venge his death. The rude coffin was placed
nea. the grave which had been prepared for
it, and venerable old Indian was preparing
to make some remarks (asis customary when
a small canoe was seen to push off from the
opposite shore, with single person init. All
eyes We're now turned in the direction ofthe
canoe. As it reached the shore, Nawawgo
jumped upon the land, brandishing in each
hand knife, and ran directly for the coffin.
The astonished multitude opened to the right
and left, while the air was filled with the
shrieks of the women, and the cries Of the
children. He stepped on the lid of the cof-
fin, where he stood some time in silence, and a
death-like stiffness soon reIgned throughout the
multitude.
Nawa wgo, after shouting the terrific war
whoop of his father as challenge, demanded
-" Is there friend or relative of this coward
who wishes for revenge. There" SAID he still
holding knife in each hand, g is the knife
that killed him, and if there is brave pres
ent who dares to use it, let him come forward |!
killed him and his brother before him ; but
neither of them was asleep. For the death of
the first was sorry, and gave myself up, a
willing victim, to be punished as Indian law
directs. But if revenge is taken for this dog,
(stamping upon the lid of the cofin) Nawawgo
must be met in deadly combat J"
He again asked, if there was any person
present that dare fight him? but receiving no
answer, hep ronounced them all squaws, and
walked moodily to his canoe in which he en-
barked, and was soon lost from their view, by
bend in the river. The dead was then buried
without any further molestation.
Immediately after, the head man of the band
in which the deceased belonged, made .applica-
ton to the civil authority for aid to punish
Nawawgo. To crafty them, process was
issued on their promising to assist in taking
him. Nawawgo was advised of the steps thai
were taken for his capture, and sent the Office
word that he would never be taken alive, By
white men or Indians. The officer, however
accompanied by four or five Indians, starte,
1 for the residence of the chief But believing
in the old adage, that discretion was the bet
ter part of valor, they went within two mile
ofhis tent, and returned with a report, tina
Nawawgo was not to be found.
He still lives and is the most noble, homes
and hospitable Indian of his tribe. s.
i ANEcDoTE.--The celebrated DR.. Jardin,
lived next house to painter, and their fami
lies were on the most intimate terms. Th