Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-05-25
HE CURSED THE TOWN
END OF THE FIRST CAPITAL OF ILL
NOIS PROPHESIEO BY AN INDIAN.

The Destruction of the Town of Kns-
knxllia Was In Accordance with
the Last words Of the chief Who
Died For u Womnn's Love.
Since the waters of the Mississippi
river washed away the last vcStige of
Knskaskia, the first capital of Illinois,
an old legend that contained the proph-
ccy of the total destruction of the once
tlourishng little city has been recalled.
Kaskaskia was situated on Il peninsula
at the junction Of the kaskaskia and
the Mississippi rivers, and in 1852 the
Mississippi river cut its way through
the peninsula, leaving the remnant Of
the town on IN island. The water con.
tinucd to wash away the rich alluval
deposits on which Kaskaskia was built
until, late in 1900, the last foot of the
land where the town once stood disap-
pcarcd. This singular ending of Kns-
kaskia's once splendid ambitions has
recalled to the supcrstltious the story
that the town was cursed in the eight
eenth century by an Indian who had
been wronged by one OF the leading
citizens.
Jean Bernard came to this country
from France in 1893, bringing with him
his wife and his 10-ycar-Old daughter
Marie. The family settled in Kaskas-
kin. where Bernard established n mcr-
chandising business. The Frcnchman
soon became one of the most prosper
Gus and most influential men of the
town. Marie, his daughter, grew to be
beautiful woman, much courted by
the most eligible young men of the new
country. She WAS In no hurry TO ac-
ccpt any of them. and her fame as a
belle spread from Lake Michigan to the
gulf of Mexico.
4 young chief Of the Kaskaskia tribe
of Indians, having become converted
to christianity after several years Of
study under the tutelage Of the Jesu.
its. built himself Il house in Kaskaska
and was taken into partnership in one
of the trading houses there. He was
prosperous, handsome and well cdu-
Gated and was soon received into the
homes OF the white settlers. One night
at Il ball he happened to meet Marie
Bernard.
The girl was ut once fascinated by
the tall, fine looking Indian, who fell
in love with her at first sight and made
no secret of his admiration. But Be-
nard pcrc soon noticed the attachment
and forbade his daughter from commu-
nicating with the young Indian. To
make sure that there would be no more
meetings Bernard used his influence to
prevent the chief from attending any
of the social entertainments given in
Knskaskia.
But love always finds Il way, and the
young couple managed to see each 9th
er despite all the precautions of the
girls father. But Bernard became
aware of these meetings and again
took means to prevent them. lie was
a man of wealth and influence. and he
had the Indian forced out Of his part
nership in the trading company.
The Indian left Kuskaskla. For al
most year nothing was heard of him,
AMI Bernard thought TINT his daughte.
had forgotten her lover, for she np
prarcd gay and careless. and she 40
ccptrd with apparent pleasure the nj
tcntiol,S Of IL voting Frrnchnnn. one
night when II large bah ut knSknSki:'
was at its height Marie BrnAld diSiIp
pcarrd.
I uvsc who searched fer Marie Ills
covered that the young chief or Inc
KasknskinnS had been seen iAt even
ing in the town. and the conclusion was
at once reached that the girl had "l"prI
with him. Bernard at once or&nl.zrd !;
party to 20 in pursuit CT TIE iugiilvrS
As there was II heavy snow On Inc
ground, their trail was easily diScov
cred and followed The l4..i:,I IN;
Marie had crrpt away ar ct. ana rs
their purSlcrs were Supplied with taS'
horses Tie Young lovers were capture
after days chase about y miles from
Kaskaskin. Their destination ."l h'"i
the French Rctl.y..!,h 1T - - lnNiS
where the indian had proN;N"'! !"'H'
| for his wife.
The Indian surrendered without ~
| sistancc, ana the posse stu ',h on N:'
journey back to ka$k&s",a taking 'i''
two captiycs. Mos; of til" men Wh'
composed RrnartiS party Wnn,r1 ''
! kill the Indian instantly. lut lirunr'
would not allow it. for he said tla
they should leave him to deal with hi
daughters lover.
,.tt ,iI Is "A
the girl was placed in the convtn
there. Then Bcnlrd took the Indian
to the bank Of tho Mississippi ana
binding him tightly to log. turned
! him ndrift in the river. AS the help
less Indian hoated away to his dealt
he raised his eyes 10 heaven ana c'llse'
Bernard who, he declared, would di
Il violent death. The Indians las
words were n prophecy that with!l
900 years the waters which were th"l
bearing him away would sweep fron
the earth every vcstige of the town
so that only the name would be l"lt.
The unhappy girl died in the convent
Bernard was killed in lI12 in II duel
The last trace Of Kasknskia has beer
oblltcratcd and the supers,I'ious dr
clare that the Indians curse has hp'
something to do with the passing Of III
once fourishing town, ON dark AM
stormy nights the ghost OF the India
is said to appear. The spcctcr wit
strong arms bound and face upturnet
floats slowly by on the river where til
stream sweeps by the site Of the var
ished city in which Marie Bernard one
lived and in which she died mournin
the red man that she lnyed.-Chicag
Inter Ocean.