The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-28
GODFROY, OF TIE MIAMIs.
Ancestral Estate Sold for Travelling Circus
An Interesting Legend.

Special 20 the indianapolis Journal.
PERU. Ind. Nov. 27.-B. L. Wallace. the
circus man, has purchased from Gabriel
Godfrey. the last lineal descendant chief
of the old Miami Indians, the ancestral
farm of the chief, near Peru. and il will be
utilized as a wintering place for the Wal
lace circus and m~enagerie. The farm is 9lO
acres. lying between the forks of the Wa
bash and M-isslsslnnewa rivers. and brought
$4,000. There is much interesting Indian
history connected with this estate. Ia the
rear of the Godfrey mansion lies On emil
nence. stately and noticeable for many
miles around. on which the tribal meetings
used TO be held. During one of these meet
InCs occurred the following:
Chief Majenica was q conspicuous char
acter among the Miamis. a prominent head
man. arrogant, supercllious and severe,
with a commanding influence and an i'm
perious Will. he had ever objected 10 the
younger men of the tribe taking part In
the deliberations. and was wont TO cut
them OF abruptly and require them to be
silent whenever they undertook TO be-
heard. lie had on many occasions been
harsh and rude to the ambitious young
bucks, and had offended Fran
els Godfrey. the father of Gabriel,
on moro occasions than the chivalrous buck
could brook. Chafing under such treat
ment and broodlng over IL until the recoi-
lection became q torture. he resolved 10
all hazards. He concealed his purpose
from even his most trusted friends and pre-
pared himself for the ordeal.
While the deliberations of the council
were in progress one day.. he rose and dis
passionately protested against the exclu-
sion of the young men from having q voice
in the debates. and was. of course, called
to order and requested To take his seat. He
declined and proceeded 10 discuss
against them and to c~rIticise the overbear-
ing conduct of Chief Majenica. He was q
young man OF more than ordinary ability
ana an orator. and his emark were
listened TO with respect and approval. He
turned a deaf ear to Majenica's commands
to be silent and continued until the Chief
rose as If to enfore them physically.
This was the opportunity sought for by
Godfrey. He drew two knives concealed
on his person. one In each hand. and i'm
periously rendered ono TO Majonica, which
was taken, and demanded the other hand,
which he clasped. Pointing with his knife
to the sun, he exclaimed:
Look at yOnder sun; it is the last time
you shall ever behold its s~etting.n
MaJenica was a majestic Indian. over six
feet high. and built on the gladiator
architecture Godfrey was of the same
gesture, the voice, the eye. had an awful
effect on the chief. He was no coward. but
he trembled like an aspen, and the knife
fell from his neryeless grasp. They
separated, and Godfrey resumed his
address. Before the meeting closed
Godfrey was chosen o war chief with
out q dissenting voice. Gabriel Cod
froy's grandfather was q full-blooded
Frenchman, and came of stock of which
heroes are born. He was o descendant of
Godfrey of Bouillon. chief leader of the
first crusade. and distinguished for his
martial exploits. He headed the French
force sent out against the infidels for the
recovery of the holy sepulchre, and took
sne city OF Jernsaiem, he vas onefed' oy
refused, saying he would never accept a
crown of gold in q city where his Savior
had worn q crown of thorns.