The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-01-02
BOLD ThAYENDANEGEA,
The Greatest Warrior and Most Cultur
Indian of tho Past Century.

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In the summer of 177s this horrible
border warfare became the most con-
spicuous feature of the struggle, and
has afforded themes for poetry and ro-
nance, in which the figures of the prin-
cipal actors are seen in lurid light
One of these figures is of such impor-
lance as to deserve especial mention.
Joseph Brant, or Thayendanegea, was
perhaps the greatest Indian of whom
we have any knowledge; certainly the
history of the red men presents no more
many-sided and interesting character
A pureoblooded Mohawk, descended
from line of distinguished sachems, in
early boyhood he became favorite with
Sir William johnson, and the laughing
black eyes of his handsome sister, Molly
Brant, SO fascinated the rough baronet
that he took her to johnson Hall as his
wife, after the Indian fashion. Sir
William believed that Indians could be
tanned and taught the arts of civilized
life, and he labored with great energy,
and not without some success, in this
difficult task. The young Thayen-
danegea was sent to be educated at the
school in Lebanon, Conn.,, which was
Afterwards transferred to New Hamp-
shire and developed into Dartmouth
College. At this school he not
only became expert in tho use
of the English language, in which
he learned to write with elegance and
force, but he also acquired some inkling
of general literature and history. He
became member of the Episcopal
church, and after leaving school he was
for some time engaged in missionary
work among the Mohawks, and trans
lated the Prayer-Book and parts of the
New Testament into his native Ian
gudge. He was man of earnest and
serious character, and his devotion to
the church endured throughout his life.
Some years after the peace of 1888. the
first Episcopal church ever built in Up
per: Canada was erected by Joseph Brant,
from funds which he had collected for
the; purpose while on visit to England.
But with this character of devout mis-
sionary and earnest student Thayenda-
negea combined, in curious contrast, the
attributes of an 1roquois war-chief de-
veloped to the highest degree of eff
cheney. There was no accomplishment
priced by Indian braves in which he did
not. outshine all his fellows. He was
early called to take the war-path. In
the fierce struggle with Pontiac he
fought with great distinction on the En-
glish side, and about the beginning Of
the war Of independence he became
principal war-chief of the Iroquois con-
federacy.
1t was the most trying time that had
ever come to these naughty lords of the
wilderness, and called for all the valor
and: diplomacy which they could sum-
mon. Brant was equal to the occasion,
and no chieftain ever fought a losing
cause with greater spirit than he. We
have seen how at Oriskany he came
near turning the scale against us in one
of the most critical moments of good
campaign. From the St. Lawrence to
the Susquehanna his name became a
name Of terror. Equally skillful and
Jealous, now in planning the silent
night march and deadly ambush, now in.
preaching the gospel of peace he re-
minds one of some newly-reclaimed
Tristan or Norman warrior of the Car
olingian age. But in the eighteenth
century the incongruity is more strik-
ing than in the tenth, in so far as the
traits of the barbarian are more wildly
projected against the background of
higher civilization. It is odd to think
of Thayendanegea, who could outyell
any of his tribe on the battlefield, sit
ting at table with Burke and Sheridan,
and behaving with the modest grace of
an English gentleman. The tincture of
civilization he had acquired, moreover,
was not wholly superficial. Though
engaged in many a murderous attack,
his conduct was not marked by the fe-
rocity so characteristic of the Iroquois.
Though he sometimes approved the
Staying of prisoners on grounds of pub
lie policy, he was fatty opposed to tort
ure, and never would allow it. He
often went out of his way to rescue
women. and children from the toma-
hawk, and the instances of his magma
nimity toward suppliant enemies were
very numerous.-John Fiske, in At