Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-07-18
The Greatest of the Indians

In the summer of 1878 this horrible
border warfare became the most conspicu-
Ons feature of the struggle, and has afford
ed themes for poetry ndromance. 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 boOded 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 conld he 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 on v became expert III the use IF the
English language. in which he learned to
W J1lC VIII tiCSdilCt dilh Ia'iSE. UuL Dt dlSO
acquired some linking 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 a man of earnest and serious character.
ana his devotion to the church endured
throughout his life. Some years after the
peace of 1888. the first Episcopal church
ever built in Upper Canada was erected by
Joseph Brant. from funds which he had
collected for the pdrpOse while on a visit
to England. But with this character of
deyout missionary and earnest student
Ihayendanegea combined, in curious con-
tact the attributes of an Iroquois war
chief developed to the highest degree of
efficiency. There wa. 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-
deIce he became principal war-chief Of the
Iroquois confederacy.
Ii was the most trying time that had
ever come to these naughty lords Of tbs
wilderness ana called Tor ali the ValOr and
which they could sum-
mon. B-ant was equal to the occasion,
and no chleftain ever fought losing cause |
with greater spirit than he We have |
seen how at Oriskany he came near turn |
ing the scale against Us In on. Of the most /
critical moments of d great campaign. I!
From the st. Lawrence to the Susquehanna /
his name became name of terror. Equal I
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 CarolIn- 4
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 /