Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-09-05
4 Noble Example.

About the year 1875, a circumstance occurred
/ which ought TO be writer on adamant In the
wars OF New England with the aborigincs, the
! Mohegan tribes of Indians early became the
/ friends of the English. Their favorte grounds
were on the banks of the river now Thames, I
between London and Norwich small rem
nant of the Mohegans still exists, and they are
scarcely protected in the possession and enjoy.
ment of their favorite domain on the banks of
this river. The government of this tribe became
hereditary in the family Of the celebrated chief,
Uncas
During the time of my fathers commercial
prosperity, he had employed several Indians Of
this tribe in hunting animals whose skins were
valuable for their furs. Among these hunters
there was one named Zachary, of the royal race,
an excellent hunter, but as drunken and worth
less an Indian as ever lived. When he had
somewhat passed the age of fifty, several mem
bers of the royal family who stood between Zach
airy and the throne of his tribe died. and he found
himself with only one life between himself and
the Empire. In this moment his better genius
resumed lis sway, and he reflected seriously,
How can such drunken wretch as | aspire to
he the chief of this honorable race ? What will
my people say, and how will the shades of my
noble ancestors look down indignant upon such
successor? Can | succeed to the great Uncas?
| will drink no more! He soemny resolved
never to taste again any drink but water and he
kept his resolution.
had heard his story, but did not entirely be-
lieve H. Young as | was, already partook of
the prevailing contempt for Indians. In the be-
ginning Of May, the annual election for the prin-
cipal of the then colony was held at Hartford,
the capital. Ny father attended officially, and it
was customary TOR the chief of the Mohegans al
H.. I. I 4 4 4 II
of his tribe. Ny fathers house was situated
about midway on the road between Mohegan and
Hart ford. and the old chief was in the habit of
coming few days before election, and dining
with his brother Governor. One day the mische-
vous thought struck me, to try the old mans
temperance The family were seated at dinner,
and there was excellent home-brewed ale on the
table. | addressed the old chief:
Zachary, this beer is excellent-will you taste
it?"
The old man dropped his knife and fork, and
leaned forward with stern intensity OF express
sion; his black eye, sparkling with Indignation,
was upon me.
John said he, you do not know what you
are doing. You are serving the devil, boy -
Do you not know that am an Indian! tell
you that am, and that if should but taste your
beer could not stop till got to rum, and again
become the contemplate drunken wretch your
father remembers me to have been. John while
you live never again tempt man to break good
resolution.
Socrates never uttered a more valuable pro-
cept Demosthenes could not have given it in
more solemn tones of eloqucnce. was thun-
dersuuck- My parents were deeply affected
they looked at me, at each other, and at the ven
cradle Indian with deep feelings of awe and res
pect They afterwards frequently reminded the
of the scene.
Zachary lived to pass the age of eighty, and
sacredly Kept his resolution. He lies buried in
the royal burial place of his tribe, near the beau
tiful falls of the Yantic, the western branch OF
the Thames, in Norwich, on land owned by c
Goddard, Esq | visited the grave of the old
chief lately and repeated to myself his ines,ima
bic lesson.-CoL Irumburs Autobiography.