Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-06-05
WHO KILLED TEcUMsEH,
A Fact IN HISTORY Not Hitherto Stated.

In a recent issue of the Century mag
a2ine, in the department OF "Opcn Let
ters," page 3l7, is letter by j. &.
Hughes, on the death of the famous
Indian warrior, Tecumseh, in which
this sentence is found; Colonel
Johnson has generally been supposed
to be the person by whose hand Te-
cumseh fell, although there is some
doubt on this point"
In the year 1916 / became acquaint-
ed with Shabbona, an Indian Chief of
the Ottawa tribe. vino was the aid-dc-
camp of Tecumseh at the battle of the
Thames. Shabbona was living on II
reservation then and since known as
Shabbona's Grove, in Dokalb county,
H., about seventy-live or eighty miles
west from Chicago. lie was nearly
seventy years old, full six feet in
height, straight as an arrow, and with
the step and bearing OF prince. No
man bore higher reputation for truth
and uprightness than he. There are
still many living in that vicinity who
can attest the accuracy of this repre-
sentation. When learned of the pO-
stion he formerly held under Tecum-
sch took the opportunity To converse
with him on the manner of the great
warriors deathin order to satisfy my
own mind; for TIL then Ihad regarded
the story of his fall by the hand of
Colonel II, NJ, sJohnson as tale de-
vised for electioneering purposes.
That CONDENSATION settled the question
with msforever, ana ]. have no doubt
that Colonel Johnson actually killed
him; and fwyite thisin order to settle
a point OF history of inportance.
A year ortwo belyre. ! met Shab-
bona ne was in thc s(iSy of Washing
ton, ID. c.. wsikiug alongithe street.
With Mr. w. Gates; he suddenly STOP
ped, pointed to man across the street,
and said to Mr.. Gates: That is the
man that killed Tecumseh." He had
only seen Colonel johnson in the Sight
when Techaseh fell. ABOUT thirty years
before, still he recognized his old foe.
Mr.. Gates related TO me this incident.
Shabbona said that Colonel J6hqAn
rode a cream colored horse, ard VAS
at the head of his men, leading them
on. The battle had reached the crisis.
The Indians of the enemy occupied
strip of timber land. Colonel johnson
charged, to drive them Qut; TecAnseh
sprang forward and seNd the bride
OF Johnsan's horse, and raised his
tomahawk 10 cut him down. Then
johnson shot him with a little gun,
which he took from n leather case be-
fore him-before recumseh had time
to strike. .CIAe LITTLE gun, of course.
was pistU takcn- from the holster.)
Sh1bbona Said tliatibe had just fired.
ami ~ gyg WIS empty; he commenced
to loafffforder 10 shoot Johnson. But
Just then the Intlians began to flee,
and they shouted to him: "Shabbona,
puck-a-chee! Shabbona. pucka-chee!"
Puck-a-chee means run. So Shah
bona said that he puck-a-cheed, and
left johnson alive to enjoy the fruits
fof his conquest over the mighty In
dian.
After the treaty of peace was made,
Shabbona changed sides, and became
fast friend of the United States gov
eminent. No complaint was ever
heard Of his loyalty as a subject or his
integrity as a man. When Black
Hawk made war and filled the newly
settled country OF northern lIiluo!s
with terror, Shabbona kept ahead of
his vindctive warriors. and warned
the defenseless settlers of his coming,
thus afiording them time and help to
escape, and undoubtedly saving many
lives and much property by his faith
fulness. After some years he was in
duced to part with the beautiful grove
and adjacent prairie, where his name
yet remains, and, with the small rem
nant of his people who acknowledged
his chieftainship, he made home on
the Illinois River. few miles south of
Morris, in Grundy county, where he
died. If he, in his young life, had
enjoyed the advantages OF civilization,
be would have stood among the fore.
most of his age.-Thc Current.