Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-24
The Greatest of the Indians

In the summer OF 1llS THIS horrible
border warfare became the most conspicu-
Gus feature of the struggle, and has afford
ed themes for poetry and romance, in which
the figures of the principal actors are seen
in lurid light. One of these figures is of
such Importance as to deserve especial
mention. Joseph Brant, or Thayendane-
gea, 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
pure blooded Mohawk, descended from a
line of distinguished sachems, in early
boyhood he became a favorit 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-
gea was sent to be educated at the school
in Lebanon, Ct, which was afterward
transferred to New Hampshire and develop
ed into Dartmouth college. At this school
he not only became expert LII the use II the
English language, il which he learned to
write with elegance and force, but he also
acquired some mixing Of general literature
and history. He became a member OF the
| Episcopal church. and after leaving school
he was for some time engaged in mission
airy work among the Mohawks, and trans
lated the prayer-book and parts of the New
| Testament into his native language He
was man of earnest and serious character,
ana his devotion to the church endured
| +bro,, 1rbo,,+ bic l,fa Como wars ofto,. tho
peace of 1888. the first Episcopal church
| Joseph Brant, from funds which he had
collected for the purpose while on a visit
| to England. But with this character of
devout missionary and earnest student
| Thayendanegea combined, In curious con-
tact, the attributes of an Iroquois war
chief developed to the highest degree of
efficiency There was no accomplishment
priced by indian braves In which he did
not outshine his fellows He was early
called to take the war-path. In the fierce
struggle with Pontiac he fought with
great distinction ON the English side, and
about the beginning of the war of indepen-
dence he became principal war-chief of the
| Iroquois confederacy.
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 turn
ing the scale against us in one of the most
| critical moments of a great campaign.
| From the st. Lawrence to the Susquehanna
his name became name of terror. Equal
| ly skilful and Jealous, now in planning the
silent night-march and deadly ambush,
now in preaching the gospel of peace, he
reminds one of some newly reclaimed
Frisians or Norman warrior of the CAROLYN
gian age. But in the 18th century the in
congruity is more striking than in the 10th,
In so far as the traits of the barbarian are
more wildly projected against the back
grounds of higher civilization. 1t is odd
to think of Thayendanegea, who could out
yell any of his tribe on the battlefield,
sitting at the table with Burke and Sheri-
dan, and behaving with the modest grace
of an English gentleman. The tincture of
civilization he had acquired, moreover,
was not wholly superficial. Though en-
gagged in many murderous attack, his
conduct was not marked by the ferocity so
characteristic of the lroquois. Though he
sometimes approved the Staying of pris-
oners ON grounds of public policy, he was
| fatty opposed 70 torture 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 magnanim-
| ity toward suppliant enemies were very
numerous