The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-03-19
FOR THE ILLINOIS FnEE TRADEP.
Historical skttcs, of tho Starved Rock

FOR THE ILLINOIS ruEE TnApEr.
Historical sketch of tho Starved Rock.
Various fancilul sketches Of this natural curiosl
ty have appeared at different times in the public
journals, but as yet believe correct historical
information has been given respecting it. My oh
ect, therefore, is to give some historical rcmns-
cences which will threw light upon the
name which was aptly given it in bygonc years
namely, the Starved Rock"
For more than century back, the bands Of In
dams known as the Ouawas, Pottawattainics, and
Chippewas have been linked together in sort of
confederation, and Some remnants of other tribes
are now joined with them. The reason Of this
family compact's holding together SO long, is east
ly accounted for, they having intermarried and
mixed until it has become difficult matter to Sc
pcrate the different bands. These Indians former
ly occnpcd the "lllinois Country" and from them
comes the name Of our subject.
About nine miles below Ottawa at the foot Of
the lower rapids oithc Illinois river, is situated this
famous rock, which rises nearly perpendicuary to
ANSN' SN' '-'N
cessiblc path by which person can ascend the
cmncncc, and that is from rayinc which nearly
surrounds its base, and from which it leads to the
summit The surface OF the rock is Of small ex-
tent, not exceeding three fourths of an acre, and
Is nearly covered over with a thin growth of small
trees and shrubs. On the margin are to be seen
few small trees generally termed fir, of the same
species as those which found in different spots
on the Illinois river, the seeds Of which must have
been borne on the waters from the North for away
from the river and its tributaries that kind of tim
Der is not found in this region.
Before the Indians emigratcd from this part Of
the state, the following information respecting the
Starved Rock was gathered from an eyewitness
who belonged to the party which besiegcd the
Illini, who after various Of fortune, were
driven last resort to fortify themselves on this
cmincncc. This eye witness, and, believe, the
only one now living, was "Old Me-chell," Chip
pewa chief who, suppose, was the Oldest warrior
attached to the bands that emgraed from this
quarter, and who must have seen the events of
nearly century ago. When the Him took re-
fugc on the rock, he was boy about seven years
old For several years prior to that time the Ola-
was, ?ottawattamies, and ChPpewas had waged
a furious war with the Him, who must have been
a numerous tribe, for, after all their feuds and re-
verses, when driven to the extremity of certifying
this isolated place, they still numbered, including
their women and children, near one thousand
souls.
10 any who have visited the Starved Rock and
noticed its advantages to party bcsicged, and
also the disadvantages attending the procuring OF
supplies, it is obvious that unless the besieged had
beforehand laid in full supplies, long as the
assalants guarded the only passage to its summit
all chance of succour must be cut off. And such
was the case. After the Illini hal possession q
the rock, the assaans, far more numerous than
their devoted prey guarded the pass with that oh.
stinacy and fidelity peculiar to the Indian charac
ter, knowing that in no great while starvation
must cnsue. And such, with most Of them, was
the result. Made fierce by hunger and despair
they twice sailed forth from their temporary fort
but those who took the lead were either killed o.
driven back.
The besieged party at first procured their waite
from the Illinois river, by lowering down bucket
with a rope made of the bark Of trees. But thei
furious opponents observed this movement, an,
their ingenuity soon devised plan to stop tn
supply from that quarter. By the action of tn
swift current at the rapids against the rock it ha
worn away near ITS base so much that conside
rabc cavity is formed, in which some of the as
sailants stationed themselves, and when the buck
cts were let down they were severed from tn
,vithe or rope to which they were attached, an
those who attended to this matter were perfect
secure from the weapons or missiles of the b,
sieged.
In the carly days connected with our subjcc
the Indians resident in this region knew but lit
about the use Of fire arms The bow and AFRO
and the spear were the most formidable of the
warlike weapons. Me-chcl! says the supply
arrows was not great with the Illini, and was 500
exhausted. The assaiants who were stationt
on the north side OF the river, when an object pr
sented itself, would discharge an arrow with ca
10 the summit Of the rock but few Of the bcsiest
were destroyed in this way, they being protects
by small. embankmens or brcastwork which .h'