Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-03-25
TECUMsEH's HONOR.


some interesting anecdotes of the great Indian
warrior and prophet, Tecumseh.
While the enemy were in possession of the coun-
try around Monroe and Detroit, Tecumseh, with a
large band of warriors, visited the river Raisin.
The inhabitants had been stripped of nearly every
means of subsistence. Old Mr.. Rivers, "a French.
man, who was lame and unable to earn living
for himself and family, had eontrived to keep out
of sight of the wandering bands. Of savages pair
of oxen, with which. his son was able to secure a
scanty support for the family. 1t so happened
that while at labor with the oxen, Tecumseh, who
had come over from Maiden, met him in the road,
walked up to him and said
MY friend, I must have those oxen. My young
men are very hungry, and they have nothing to
eat We must have the oxen.'
Young Rivers demonstrated He told the CHIEF
that if he took the oxen, his father would starve
to death.
"Well," said Tecumseh, I'VE are the conquer.
ors, and everything we want is ours. I must have
the oxen my people must not starve; but will
not be so mean as to rob you of them I will pay
you one hundred dollars for them, and that is fal
more than they are WORTH but we must have
them"
Tecumseh got white man to write an order or
the British Indian Agent, Col. Elliot, who was or
the river some distance below, for the money
The oxen were killed, large fires built, and the for
est warriors were soon feasting on their Aesh
Young Rivers took the order to Col. Elliot, who
promptly refused to pay it, saying:
'We're entitled to support from the country We
conquered. We will not pay it.
The young man, witha sorrowful heart returned
with the answer to Tecumseh, who said:
Tomorrow we will go and see.
In the morning he took young Rivers, and wen'
to see the Colonel. On meeting him he said;
"Do you refuse to pay for the oxen 1 bought?'
eyes," said the Colonel, and he reiterated the
reason for refusal.
II bought them," said the chief, for my young
men, who were hungry. I promised to pay fol
them, and they shall be paid for always heard
that white nations go to war with each other and
not with peaceful individuals; that they did not
rob and punder poor people. l will not.
"Well," said the Colonel, II will not pay fol
them"
"You can do as you please" said the chief, but
before Tecumseh and his warriors came to fight
the battles of the great king, they had enough to
eat, for which they had only to thank the good
Master of Life and their good rifles. Their hunt.
ing grounds supplied them with food enough; to
them we can return.
This threat produced a sudden change on the
Colonels mind. The detection of the great Chief
he well knew, would Immediately withdraw all the
nations of the red men from the British service
and without them they were nearly powerless on
the frontier.
"Wel," said the Colonel, ''if I must pay,
will"
"Give me hard money" said Tecumseh, mot
rag money"-army bills
The Colonel then counted out hundred dollars
in coin and gave them to him. The chief handed
the money to young Rivers, and then said to the
Colonel: "Give me one dollar more "
1t was given; and handing it also to Rivers, he
said: 'Take that, it will pay you for the time you
have lost in getting your money"
What disgrace to the memory Of the old In
dian warrior, the soubriquet of Tecumseh for Gen.
Sherman! Let US hear no more Of Gen. 'Tecum.
sch" Sherman.