Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-06-26
Mistellanfons.
THE nxAUMBE VALLEY.

During the past Winter and Spring, the
pupils of tho High School of Toledo, have
been favored every two weeks with lecture,
by some Of the citizens of Toledo. They
have been most instructive to not only the
pupils, but to the citizens at large. Tho
Blade of the 18th, says: The course of lee
lures before tho High School was concluded
last Friday. The closing lecture was de-
livered by H. L. Hosmcr, ESQ.,, and was OIL
"The History of the Maumcc Valley" The
subject came home to the interests of this
locality, and the lecture was listened TO with
the deepest attention. Mr.. Hosmcr correc-
ted the announcement previously given, that
the lecture would contemplate the antiqui-
ties of Maumee Valley, remarking that hc
"kncw of no greater antiquity than him
SELF"
As long ago as l764, Pontiac, renown-
ed Indian chief distinguished with his i'll
attempts to destroy the garrison at Detroit
removed with his followers, to the Maumee
river and settled on what is now the old
Indian orchard, near Manhattan. He re-
lnained there four years and was killed,
leavinga widow and one son. His wife ac-
ted in his place, after his death, and was
held in high estimation; and was the advi-
sor Of the tribe. At the death Of Pontiac
the schemes which he had formed, were
abandoned, and peace reigned among the
Indians for some time. When war again
broke out, it was conducted very inefficient
ly on the part of the whites, and two gene
rails were successively defeated. After the
defeat of Gen. st. Clair, the command was
given to Gen. Wayne, who was better vers-
cd in war and the arts of the Indian. He
cut two d.ff,rent road; to the Indian settle
ment; and while they were preparing to
meet him on either, he surprised them by
taking a route between the two, and sudden
| ly appearing before them. The indians
were panic struck and fled. They encamp
cd on prairie three miles this side of Wa
terville, and Wayne ascertaining their posi-
tion, again surprised them, and drove then
down the river with great slaughter. Camp
bell, who was commander of Fort Miami, a
Maumee, of which the British had possess
ion, had promised to protect them; bu
when they reached the Fort, he refused 3,
receive them, and the battle terminated a
Swan Creek, in tho almost total destruction
Of the Indians. Gen. Wayne had contro
versy with Campbell in regard to the Fort
which the British claimed was not within
the American boundary. Wayne insisted
that Campbell should abandon it, which h
refused 10 do, and as Wayne had been or
dered not to take British forts by force b.
was compelled to let it rest but it was final
| ly given up by the British commander
The speaker related Characteristic anec
dote Of him. Gen. Wayne ordered one o
his grenadiers to go to the river and brinj
water. but he refused to go, saying, "'The,
would kill him, from the fort" Wayne re
piled, "That is just what want; shoul,
then have a good reason for driving on
the whole force" Soon after Wayne mad
a treaty Of peace with the Indians, the frs
that had been made, though there had bee
several attempts to do so. The British ais
surrendered the fort. Wayne told the In
dams, when he made the treaty, that 81
one OF JHem ever naftneu WHlte man, III
spirit should haunt him ever afterwards"-
They always regarded him with feeling Q
the greatest terror.
Peace ensued, and the Indians comment
ed repairing their villages, which they mad
very attractive. Their cabins were built {
logs, neatly whitewashed. A grandson {
Pontiac was their chief They observe
several feasts during the year, and were, f.
a long time, happy and kind.
But rs early as 1903, British agents froI
Canada, under Mckee, were sent TO stir u
: an insurrection among the Indians again.
b the whites. (Mr. Hosmer produced th
I original speech which Mckee sent to th
chiefly In 1871, large combination
$ forces was congratulated at the mouth
8 Tippacanoo river, and word reached II
whites of impending war. Gen. Hariso
7 then in command, collected his forces an
moved on to Tippecanoe. The battle WI
, fought between Gen. Harrison and Il
Pr0phet--a brother 10 Tecumseh. I'll
y Indians were overwhelmed and took 10 figh