Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-06-29


common person, bearing no resemblance
either in person or character to his
reputed father. He continued to reside
with the Shawanoese at Wapaghkonetts
until 1895, when he emigrated to the
southwest of MISSOURI.
Although Tecumtha became re-
nowned in war, it is undeniably true,
that he ran away the first battle he was
engaged in. This fact / received from
Cutewekasa or Black Hoof, the head
chief, who was in the action. He was
never known to finch afterwards. The
increase of our population north of the
Ohio river, and the frequent demand
upon the Indians for more of their
lands, alarmed the nations occupying
and claiming the Territory now EN-
braced within the States of Ohio and
Indiana subject of all others best
calculated to infame the minds of the
natives. Although Tecumtha had no
right to interfere in question involving
the title to territory, the Shawanoese
having come into the northwest within
comparatively short period, and being
considered by the other tribes some
what in the light of tenants at will. he
was too willy not to take advantage Of
the excited feelings of the Indians
arising from the loss of their country.
This was the commencement of his
turbulent career. He appeared too late
| ,,rov, tba efaoa of cotton. sunh a cpfrif
fifty or sixty years earlier, might have
set bounds to the progress of the white
man in the West. In contemplating the
wretched fate of the natives of this con-
tinent, we are almost instinctively led to
approve sentiment uttered many years
ago in the House of Representatives in
Congress, by Mr. Hopkinson, of Penn
sylvania, "that when he beheld the
wrongs and ruin of the Indian race, he
almost wished that the mariners COM
pass had never been invented"
The brother of Tecumtha, who
claimed inspiration as prophet of the
Great Spirit, was very different char
acter; what we would call brawling,
unprincipled demagogue. He encour-
aged the Indians to war against the
Americans, but took care himself to
keep out of danger. Atthe battle of Tip
pecanoe and the Thames, although pres
ent, he took no part in the fight In
the outset of his career as prophet, he
took the name of Elsquataway, the
meaning of which is, a new way, door
of hope for the Indians. Pending the
war of 1912 his influence was great,
drawing crowds after him. None of his
prophecies being fulfilled, after the over
throw at the battle of the Thames he
sunk into contempt and forgetfulness,
and finally removed with his people in
1926 southwest of Missouri.
l had much more to do with the
Prophet than with his brother Te-
cumtha, and on the whole formed very
contemplate opinion of him. He pos
sessed none of the noble qualities of his
race; neither truth, honor, honesty or
courage. After the war of 1919, he
avoided me as much as possible, and
seldom appeared in Council with his
people, ashamed and afraid to meet me.
l had repeatedly warned him of taking
up the hatchet against us, and joining
the English, and that the result would
be the ruin of his people, all of which
turned out true to the letter. 1t is due
to the memory of Black Hoof and his
associate chiefs, to say that they used
every means in their power to prevent
their people from taking part in the war,
and with the exception of the Prophets
tribe, they remained faithful to their en-
gagements with the United States. 1t
is seldom that a tribe is unanimous for
war; the nation never is, and within
the memory of the Oldest men among
them, it is not recollected that much
more than half of the nation have been
for war at the same time, or taken, as
they express it, the sOar talk War is
always determined on by the head war
rior of town or district which has in
their own estimation been injured. He
lifts the war hatchet and is followed by
all who are for war. The head chief
and his counsellors sometimes interpose
and arrest the further progress of the
party for war. This is not often at
teded with success; because the law,
''blood for blood" predominates, and
the right of satisfaction is conceded to
the injured party, to the town and tribe
to which he belongs. Peace is always
determined on and concluded by the
head Chief of the nation and his coun-
sellors, and peace talks or communica,
tons are always addressed to them. In
some cases where the resentment of the
warriors runs high, the Chief and his
counsellors have been much embar-
rassed.
In case of murder the family alone of
the deceased have the right to take sat
isfaction. The rulers of town or the
nation have nothing to do or say in the
business. The relations of the deceased
person consult first among themselves,
and if the case is clear, and the family
not likely to suffer by their decision,
they determine on the case definitely
When their tribe may be affected by it,
in doubtful case, or an old claim for
satisfaction, the family consult them,
and when they have resolved on salts
faction, they take the guilty one, if to
be come at; if he flies, they take the
nearest Of kin. In some cases the
family who have done the injury promise
Preparation, and In that case are allowed