Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-07-09
HE CURSED THE TOWN
END OF THE FIRST CAPITAL OF ILL
NolS PRoPHESIED BY AN INDIAN.


Died For n WOman's Love.
Since the waters of the Mississippi
river washed away the last vestige Of
Kaskaskia, the first capital of Illinois,
an old legend that contained the proph-
ecy OF the total destruction of the once
fiourishing little city has been recalled.
Kaskaskia was situated on a peninsula
at the junction of the Kaskaskia and
the Mississippi rivers, and in 1882 the
Mississippi river cut fits way through
the peninsula, leaving the remnant OF
the town on an island. The water con-
tinued TO wash away the rich alluvial
deposits on which Kaskaskia was built
until, late in 1900, the last foot of the
land where the town once stood disap-
peared. This singular ending of Kas-
kaskia's once splendid ambitions has
recalled to the superstitious the story
that the town was cursed in the eight
zenith 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 1O-year-old daughter
Marie. The family settled in Kaskas-
kia, where Bernard established a mer-
chandising business. The Frenchman
soon became one of the most prosper
Gus and most influential men of the
town. Marie, his daughter, grew TO be
n beautiful woman, much courted by
the most eligible young men of the new
country. She was in no hurry to ac-
cept any of them, and her fame as a
belle spread from Lake Michigan to the
gulf of Mexico.
a 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 house in Kaskaskia
and was taken into partnership in one
of the trading houses there. He was
prosperous, handsome and well edu-
Gated and was soon received into the
homes of the white settlers. One night
at ball he happened to meet Marie
Bernard.
The girl was at 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 pere 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
Kaskaskia.
But love always finds n way, and the
young couple managed to see each otE-
er despite all the precautions of the
girls father. But Bernard became
aware of these meetings and again
took means to prevent them. He was
n man of wealth and influence, and he
had the Indian forced out OF his part
nership in the trading company.
The Indian left Kaskaskia. For al
most a year nothing was heard of him,
and Bernard thought that his daughter
had forgotten her lover, for she ap-
peared gay and careless, and she ac-
cepted with apparent pleasure the at
tentions OF n young Frenchman. One
night when a large ball Mt Kaskasllia
was at its height Marie Bernard disap-
peared.
Those who searched for Marie dis
covered that the young chief of the
Kaskaskians had been seen that even
ing in the town, and the conclusion was
at once reached that the girl had eloped
with him. Bernard at once organized
party to go in pursuit of the fugitiyes.
As there was n heavy snow on the
ground, their trail was easily discov-
cred and followed. The Indian and
Marie had crept away afoot, and as
their pursuers were supplied with fast
horses the young lovers were captured
after n days chase about 40 miles from
Kaskaskia. Their destination had been
the French settlement at st. Louis,
where the Indian had provided home
for his wife.
The Indian surrendered without re-
sistance, and the posse started on the
Journey back to Kaskaskia, taking the
two captives. Most of the men who
composed Benard's party wanted to
kill the Indian instantly, but Bernard
would not allow it, for he said that
they should leave him to deal with his
lover.
When the party reached Kaskaskia,
the girl was placed in the convent
there. Then Bernard took the Indian
to the bank of the Mississippi and,
binding him tightly to a log, turned
him adrift in the river. AS the help
less Indian floated away to his death
he raised his eyes to heaven and cursed
Bernard, who, he declared, would die
a violent death. The Indians last
words were a prophecy that within
200 years the waters which were then
bearing him away would sweep from
the earth every vestige of the town,
so that only the name would be left.
The unhappy girl died in the convent.
Bernard was killed in 1T12 in a duel
The last trace of Kaskaskia has been
obliterated, and the superstitious de-
clare that the Indians curse has had
to do with the passing of the
once fiourishing town. On dark and
stormy nights the ghost of the Indian
is said to appear. The specter, with
strong arms bound and face upturned,
floats slowly by on the river where the
stream sweeps by the site OF the van
n n