Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1893-04-02
LAST OF THE MIAMIs.
Tho Remnants Of the Naughty Raoe
Located IN Indiana
Something OF tho History OF . Long Line
of Mighty warriors-The orly Re
mainlng Chiefrain OF
tho Tribe.

The story, based to q certain extent
upon traditions, relates that the Miami
Indian confcdcracy claimed domain
over the territory bounded on the
north by the great lakes, south by the
Ohio, cast by the Scioto, aud west by
the Fox river.
The approximate number of them in
this county in the day when the Indinns
had possession was about one thousand
nine hundred.
The Minmis, according TO the Cincin-
natl Post, wcro naughty, proud, and
held the ncighboring tribes in CON
tempt, and with chiefs both able and
powerful, ranking mt that time by Nc
ehc-llo-no-quah, or Little Turtle, tho
noblcst Roman of them all. The line
OF succession passed down from Littlo
Turtle to Pc-chc-wn, commonly called
John d. Richardvillc, and from him to
Francis Godfrey, the great war chief of
tho nation. who had on eye to his own
pccuniary benefit, and when the final
treaties were consummatcd he had his
choice of the best land in Indiana,
which ho chose near Cincinnati.
Half the divisions and subdivisions
In this city nrc known by his name,
nnd the great township for miles around
Is known ns tho Godfrey and Richard
vile reserve. He was one of the wealth.
lest men in the state when he died, both
in lands and money. He was one of tho
most powerful Indians ever known, and
many remarkable stories are cxtant re-
garding his bravery and prowess. ri
the time of his death he weighed over
three hundred pounds. In the line of
succession came Gabriel Godfrey, tho
last chief of the tribe, and now living
six miles cast of this city.
Prominent nmong them, and tho
leader as much now rs in the days be-
fore the white man, Is Gabriel Godfrey.
Gabriel Is known throughout the entire
west, and his name is synonymous with
that of the tribe. His advice Is sought
By his remaining people, of whom thoro
ore about one hundred and fifty left,
and he Is probably guardian for moro
people thar any other ten men com-
bincd in Indiana. Gabriel Godfrey Is n
man we'll vcrscd in tho past history OF
his nation, and hos in his possession
medals from congress, memcntocs from
various governors, tokens of esteem
and merit from generals and others
with whom his tribe came In contact,
and who invariably manifested their
appreciation Of kindly deeds or other
acts by these souvenirs
Prominent among them arc those
from George Washington, Van Buren,
aad other presidents. lie is about
siXLy-fivc years old, but his figure is
erect and his physical ability almost ns
great rs thirty years ngo. An onthusi-
nstic hunter and q fine shot, it is one OF
hi5 greatest delights to engage In O
shooting match, and rarely, IL ever,
does he draw the BOBBY prize, notvith-
standing his somewhat defective eye
sight Every fall Mt this time OF tho
year he joins the Peru Hunting club In
it3 pilgrimage to the northern wilds,
md success always attends him. With
broad, compact shoulders, physical do
velopmcnt perfect, iron-gray hair md
mustachc and skin n copper color, Cod
troy readily attracts attention whcrcvcr
5ocn. During tho past year IL has boon
his misfortune, through deprecintions
md losses, 10 have to sell the farm on
which hc has lived since n child, md
which was part Of tho reservation re-
served by his father.
This farm was purchased at q cost of
iorty-ilvc thousand dollars by Wallace.
Of circus famo, for winter quarters for
his animals and show. Gabriel has,
however, rcfittcd md rebuilt tho old
homestead, the carly homo of his fore
fathers, whore he is now living. Cod
troy ha5 been married twice, having
three children by his first wife and two
by tho latter, who Is nov living. Farm
ing Is his vocation, and he thoroughly
understands 1t. G~odfroy's grandfather
was o whito man captured by tho
Shawnee Indians whom about sovon
years old.
Tho name, ns near as can DO nsccr.
taincd, was Cole, or Coleman. Uo be-
cotno q skillful trader, and was tho
Shawnee interpreter Mt tho treaty OF
Grccnville. This man married n woman
OF tho Miamis, who was half Frcncl.
They raised n large family, and tho mon
lnally died in Kentucky near where no
was captured. After his death tho
mother came TO live with her own peo-
pie, tho Miamia, near Fort Wayne.
Hero Francis Godfrey, the father Of tho
subject OF this sketch, morricd hor
daughter, Shac-qua.a-tah. Gabriel was
no FIRST child Of this marriage Sho
TTas onc-fourth Indian and Francis one
half. According TO tradition tho Cod
frays nro descendants from the nobility
OF France. At q very carly time ono
Godfrey v a so fond of sport mud tho
gone so plentiful, together with tho
other romantic surroundings, that hc
remained. II may also not DO doubted
that Gabriel IL q direct defendant OF
tho great Godcfroy dc Douilliou. who
was the first Christian king Of Jcruor-
lem, after 400 years of Sarnccn rulo.
Dogs aa SmuSgicra
In tho Ecthcr lnnds dopa ueod To Ia