The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
THE INDIAN METROPOLIS.
1t Was Called s--caium aud Was situated in
what l. Vow ohio.

From, the Boston Errnrng Transcript.
Prof. Moorehead OF the Ohio state University
and the Hon. F.. +. Firley. Northumberland
OF Ohio, are planning an exploration trIp TO the
site OF the ancient Indian village OF Se:caiun.
which has lately been located by Gen. Finley,
who is an authority on aboriginal history. Mr..
Finley has long pondsred over the location OF
this lJug-lOst village. and felt confident that il
had been located near the head OF the Olen-
tanSy. south of BucyrUs. Recently he actually
stumbled upon the location and conveyed the
facts 10 Mr.. MOorchead, and they viii together
MAKE 4 thorough investigation and expect to
find some Ot the mos, valuable proofs which
will De OF much historical value. Speaking Of
the ancient village and its location. Gen. Finley
said recently:
In addition to the marble shaft OF the Craw.
ford monument, Just south Of BucyrUs, marking
the spot where Col. Crawfort's forces fought
their last battle with the Indians, it also marks
the spot where once stood the ancient village o.
Seccaium, most celebrated in Indian legend and
song as one OF the famous places of Indian his
tory. For hundreds ot years before the white
man set foot on this continent the SantGsky.
Oleutansy. and Scioto rivers formed 4 great
water thOrOughfare, over which Indian CouI-
mcrrc was carried on between the North an!
south. over this route Indian war parties from
the lake region swept Town upon their enemies
IN the south, hlG over inc same route p'lt'i-
times came the Wild Catawas. Natchcz, and
other southern tribe in terge retaliation.
From tn. time when The French arst %occup."!
Canada unit! the opening up ana settlement OF
the United states th1, same route continued 20
be the thoroGghttre II trattc and travel not
only by the Indians, nEt hy the French traders.
Coming nywhsr from canada or the north Or
northwest, the canoe ~ the indian or trader tn-
terinS the mouth NJ he ~antusSy River Vas
padded mp IL. sluggish waters until. arriving
at the bend uorthcast Ut Bucyrus, The canOcmen
transported their boats and goods across this
point to the bend OF the D.entangy tor Whct-
stone, As il Is now called. and thence launching
their light craft in the U.entaugy, padded down
TO the Scio'o. entering which they travelled
down 10 the ohio AM iato the Mississippi. thus
beng enabled 10 trayGl oy. water FROM the great
LAKES o. the north 10 The GIlt 81 Mexico, with \
land portage across OF only about four miles.
Near the landing place on the Olentangy stood
centuries as the great mart OF Indian commerce..
Like the great NtlninoygnrOd tt was tho com
mon ground where all the tribes OF the North
AMI south met and exchanged their peltries and
wares. Here II was that the great Treaties. CON
clayes. and powwows Of the Indian nations were
held. When il hTst WIS NUM- no one kup"s. II
was visited by white men in 1850, and even at
that day Indian tradition 1ould not give its agr.
"A FrenChman who passed over this water
route In 1850 thus writes OF II: The Scioto Is
almost as wide as the Ohio and runs through
fertile bottoms or, plains. which commence a
few miles above the River Huskinkas and ex.
tend almost 70 seccailIm. The olentangy il
OF Seccaium. l. Is at this village that the great
portage 20 the -anausAy River begins, which IS
The village stood here in 1869 and was visited
by T5bert CIveller- iGur de La sale. the fanou,
! disroverer Of the mouth ot the Mississippi River
and all the vast territory bordering upon that
river. La sale. in company with Dollier. De
Casson, and GAlinee tni ais Indian guide, and
companions. passed by water from Nontret 10
thg month OF the -antusky River, thence ~
The Sandu-ky and over the portage to this
paint, where he visited the famous village
u Seccaium. remaining several days: thence
passing down the Olrrthngy and Sciu'o 10
the Ohio. he pllnte. tL the mouth ~ the -cioto
the copper plates tafrerward found bearing IN.
image Of The King u France, and then formally
| took possession Ot all me country in the naun OF
/ his King. From the mouth Of the Scioru he
travelled down The ONO to the Falls .. the Ohio.
other copper plates ana likewise taking posses
sion Of Al Of the country travelled over by him
in the name OF the hiHE VI France.
JSinG Eo I'M IT,. +, IN, n" IN pllnWss ytnf TtNin in Pz-1Pn,
shor. ti,ne rrf0rs RrtGtock's defeat, amt who
was adopted hy the Indians and lived viii them
many wear, and D.rru travelled over he water
route have It-nr'ucI, ewes q hries tcrnIr' Y
/ tie destruction u. -frgaluM- He does not sppaE
oi II br!u- SCrcaiUm. Du; { learn from other
authorities thai 'us village ucs,rlh.l ~ Tim A
destroyed was Ia" '.!tra ot -ceraIEpl. lie tells
that the CataWh- came rom south Carolina,
a large MAE pnri} 80 thep, and, .andins
near the ~i..l-' a. night tune, when these
was a igEt -lu.' on tn" -gD4Ri, Au. =
village on buffalo honts and thea move 10 the
Westward. where an anousclte WA formed. In
the morning When the p'up,, " the village
arosr hey saw the buffalo trucks and at once
the grea.rr part OF the men and boys started In
pursuit u what they supposed vas a herd vi
bun Iloes, and in doing 80 ran INTO the ambush
formed by the willy tttawas, who rose up and
slaughtered them almost to a maa and burned
anG utterly destroyed their village; and thus
was wiped out forever the great village Of Sec,
oalun, which had stood for hundreds OF years
the pride and the giory " the Indian uat0n.'