Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1895-07-26

By WV. MnYLrar.


for our county history has been led
by recent publications of Meginness
in his Historical Journal to compile
the following paper, taken from
Miners History Of Wyoming, Crafts
of Bradford, publications OF Megin>
ness, and the Now and Then, pub
lished by Gurnard of Muncy.
In the summer of 1913 Etinne
Br,.le in company with french traders
from Canada penetrated the wilder
ness along the west branch, making
a record of the names of streams
and other subjects of local impor-
tance and by SO doing prepared the
way for subsequent adventurers and
traders.
The Susquehanna Indians were
early trained to the use of fire arms.
Shortly after the Sweeds came, in
1858 they induced three OF their
soldiers to join them and teach them
the European modes Of war. 1t is
believed that the Indian forts at the
mouth of Sugar creek, near Towanda
were erected under their supervision.
For a number of years after the
first appearance Of the Europeans,
the Indians of the Snsquehanna were
in constant warfare with other tribes
who were making inroads upon them.
In 1861 the legislature Of Mary
land authorized the Governor to aid
them with the provincial forces.
Their strength was estimated in l6>
AZ as being able to put into the field
one thousand three hundred warriors
trained in the use Of fire arms, and
bv 1872 they were so reduced that
they were only able to muster 300.
The places of their villages were
we'll known, but they abandoned the
country about Wyoming as early as
1850. The Iriquioss then became
the ruling power and by forming a
confedracy with five other nations
exercised supremacy over large
extent of country from Canada to
the southern border of Pennsylvania.
Tioga (now Athens) was made the
southern enterance to the confeder-
acy and at Shamokin, present Sun
berry the great council had viceroy.
From two maps showing the loca-
ton of Indian villages, one found in
the history of Bradford county and
the other in the Now and Then of
February 1890, it is found that near
ly all the Indian trails through Nor
th-central Pennsylvania converge to
one or the other Of these places.
The road most frequently mentioned
connecting these points is known on
both maps as the Sheshequin path.
| This path takes a westerly course
from point short distance above
| Towanda and following along Sugar
creek to the western border Of tue
county, thence south to Lycoming
creek and following the course of the
creek to the West Branch crossing
the river and following nearly a
direct line to the mouth OF White
Deer creek and from thence the
river bank down to point opposite
Sunbury. The enterance of either
white men or that of Indians of other
tribes than those who were tributary
to the confederacy were requested
to report 10 one or the other Of these
two points. For many years the
French seem to have been the only
European nation who kept up an ins
tercourse with these Indians. A
map of the Susquehanna river made
in 17Ol locates James LeFort's store
ut the site OF Northumberland. He
was known as an Indian trader. In
1873 the Colonial Governor of PENN
sylvania sent white messengers to
visit Shamokin. Following this
date we come to the first mention of
Conrad Weiser who for many years
was in the employ of the Govern
ment as Indian Agent and Iterperter.
He was also the great reliance of
first Moravean Missionaries in their
efforts to become acquainted with
the Indians. Mention Is made of his
visits both on the North and West
Branch in 1877.
In l742 Nicholas Louis, commonly
known as Count Zinzindorf who had
arrived in America the year previous
| in the capacity OF Bishop OF the
Moravian Mission commenced, per-
sonally his labors in breaking ground
among the more remote Indian villas
ges. Securing aid from Weiser in
obtaining An assistant who could