The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-06-26

his lost child. travelling along on dark
morning, upon the bank of the river, in
fog SO dense that the trail was scarcely
discernible, he heard what proved the
growing of cock. A short distance
more and he beheld the bird of the vision.
Here, according to direction, he halted.
In short time there came to him be-
ing in his own form, but "White Man.
Alarmed, at first, he thought of fleeing
from his presence; but the object of his
mission, and the manifest friendly inten-
tions of the strange man before him led
him to follow the white man TO his camp.
Here he was presented with various arti-
cles now used by the Indians, hitherto
unknown, among which was kettle, and
a hook upon which to place it, when over
the camp fire.
On his return to his tribe he made
known his adventure, and they thronged
to the "White Mans" wigwam, each re-
ceiving some present, and learned what
were articles of trade. From this time,
rs tradition teaches, a constant commu-
nication was had in exchange Of articles
of traffic.
Long years passed, and in consequence
of some one Of the many wars of those
early days they gradually removed west
ward; but their first permanent location
was upon the main land at what is often
termed "Old Mackinac," in Michigan. In
consequence of jealousy on the part of
the tribes in other portions Of Michigan,
or determination on the part of the en-
igrants 10 conquer and exterminate, war
was waged with all the horrors of savage
warfare. After many skirmishes and in
full equipment, the two powers met, aud
after fearful and bloody battle, the vic
tory belonged to the emigrants. The ad-
vance guard of the Ottawas discovered
the opposing force near Pere Marquette
Lake; and here the great battle was
fought that left the Ottawas in peacea-
bic possession Of the country. Horrible
acts of barbarity were particularly des-
cribed by the narrator, rs well rs every
thing connected with this great battle.
He pointed out upon the map the ground
of the battle field. After the slaughter,
the conquerors cut off the heads from the
bodies Of their enemies, and placed them
a short distance apart, at the waters edge
of Pere Marquette Lake; and the old
Chief marked the distance by the map
along its winding shore that was guarded
and grim with bloody heads.
This Lake, it is well known, bears the
name of an ancient French explorer and
Jesuit, who died and was buried upon
the bank OF the stream, near its outlet to
Lake Michigan; and, as tradition reads,
among the French Catholics, the stream
closed at that point, out of respect to this
good and fearless man, and opened into
Lake Michigan at its present outlet,
about half a mile further south-but the
Indians know this River and Lake by an
other name, which signifies the place of
the skulls.
An incident connected with this battle
caused dissolution of their confederacy.
A certain Chief, Of Michigan, and his
tribe, assisted the Ottawas in their strug-
gle, and, according to custom, q dance and
feast followed in commemoration Of the
victory. The highest seat at the feast
was awarded TO the Michigan braves, and
the highest honor conferred upon their
Chief in presenting to him the choicest
portion of the FEAST. e., the tail of a
beaver.
This much displeased some of the pet
ty Chiefs, and resulted in n dismembcr-
ment of the tribe. Three of them, with
their clans, left and took up their loca-
tions in other portions of the State. Pom
tiac removed to near Detroit; one other,
perhaps Tecumseh, to the southeastern
part of the State; and another upon the
st. Joseph River. Since that time the
several tribes have never harmonized rs
ono body.
Inquiry was made of the old veteran
respecting the treaty between their tribes
and Great Britain, and how il was then
regarded.
He said a treaty Of friendship was con.
cluded between them, to be perpetual.-