Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-22
OLD CHIEF WABASIS.
Legend of the ottawa Tribe-History OF
Tragedy in story Form.

Very few OF the tribe OF Indians
known as the Ottawas are now living
A half century and more ago they were
numerous about this vicinity and made
their headquarters in an Indian vii
lage near this city. John Wabasis, son
of the old chief, owned and lived on
the Harroun farm near Kiddville, and
was known to many of our older citi-
Zens.
Wabasis went TO Washington some
time in the forties and signed treaty
with the government, conveying To IL
many thousands of acres Of land in
Kent and Ionia counties, receiving Il
large sum OF money. The braves under
him. not receiving their full share,
held IA council and decreed to him eX-
lie at Wabasis Lake and on the advent
of the first white settlers his life was
then to be taken, which was afterward
done at Lowell. Mrs. f. a. LOomis
now OF Emporia, Kas has written the
following interesting story;
My summers vacation was passed in
Michigan, near lake and along its
outlet, lovely creek that made its
way with many IA graceful curve
through wood and field. Aside from
the natural beauty of lake and creek,
they possess the charm of having
figured in the wierd events that mark
ed the closing chapter in the life Of
the Indian Chief Wabasis, whose name
both bodies of water bear. 1t was dur
ing the thirties, when n goodly portion
Of Michigan was inhabited by the red
man, that Wabasis was ruling chief Of
IA tribe of Ottawas, and enjoying the
full confidence OF his people. When
he won the slender, star eyed Nuha to
share his wigwam, there was great re-
ioicing. All the villagers were invited
to the nuptial feast. They assembled
at the appointed hour and seated them
selves round the open circle, in the
center Of which fire crackled merrily
under the great kettle containing
mixed herbs and the choicest meats
the chase afforded.
When all were served the kettle was
removed and red stone pipes filled and
lighted were passed to the guests by
Nuha. 1t was not until the campfire
had forgotten to send up its wreaths OF
blue smoke, and the glowing embers
had burned to heap OF white ashes,
that the villagers returned TO their
wigwams.
The wheel of time moved round,
twice had October moons fulled and
waned, and all was we'll with Wabasis
until after his return from Washing
ton, where he had signed the treaty
by which the United States govern
ment obtained a title To the land the
tribe was using. The dissatisfaction
first shown by his people at the divis.
ion OF money, gradually increased,
many claiming he had kept an undue
proportion to himself. The feeling
grew until it reached open rebellion,
and the older braves met In consulta-
tion. Long they sat, for the decision
as To a chiefs punishment was fiji
cult matter to settle, A pink flush in
the east told that day was fast APP
preaching ere, all arrangements COM
plete, they marched to the lodge of
Wabasis and summoned him TO appear.
Not long had they to wait until the
gaily decorated curtain was lifted
aside and he stepped before them
Dressed in deer skin shirt and leRgings
Richly wrought with quilts and wampum;
On his head his eagle feathers,
Round his waist his belt OF wampum.
AS they saw his head uplifted, and
eyes meeting unfalteringly their
frowning gaze. they hesitated, as
though half doubtful Of his falsity,
Only moment thus and the leaders
voice broke the quiet. Wabasis lis
tened in proud silence to the words
which condemned him to exile. To
move to the shore OF "a lake, distant
from the people he had so long ruled.
There, in restricted limits, should he
live as many seasons as the snow fell
and the white men came not TO settle
among them. But when they were
called to give up their hunting ground
then would he be notified to meet his
people and yield his life into their
hands. To those terms must he agree
or receive immediate-death. AS the
last words were spoken, the voice Of
Nuha grooming lullaby to her little
one, sounded softly, sweetly, TO the ear
of Wabasis, as the mating song OF the
red-bird. He bowed his head mo-
ment, that voice decided him to accept
the Punishment.
When Wabasis told Nuha OF his
peoples decision, she realized the hu-
initiation laid on the proud spirit OF
her chief, and lost not precious mo-
ment in weeping, or in idle denunca-
tion OF their cruel decree, but proved
the love within her loyal heart by be-
ginning at once preparations to accom-