Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-03-07
HE CURSED THETOWN
END OF THE FIRST CAPITAL OF IT'LL
NOIS PROPHESIEC BY AN INDIAN.

END OF THE FIRST CAPITAL OF I'LL
NOIs PRoPHEsIEC BY AN INDIAN.
The Destruction OF the Town of Kas-
kaskin Was In Accordance With
the Last Words of the Chief Who
Died For a Woman's Love-.
Since the waters Of the Mississippi
river washed away the last vestige of
haskaskia, the first capital of Illinois,
an old legend that contained the proph-
ecy OF the total destruction Of the once
fourishing little city has been recalled.
Aaskaskia was situated on a peninsula
at the Junction Of the Kaskaskia and
the Mississippi rivers, and in 1882 the
mississippi river cut it's way through
the peninsula, leaving the remnant Of
the town on an island. The water con-
tlnued to wash away the rich ~alluvial
deposits on which Kaskaskia was built
until, late in 1909, the last foot Of the
lane where the town once stood disap-
peared. This singular ending Of Kas-
kaskla's once splendid ambitions has
recalled to the superstitious the story
that the town was cursed in the eight
eenth century by an Indian who had
beer 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-
kla, where Bernard established a mer-
chandising business. The %Frenchman
soon became one Of the most prosper
u and most influential men Of the
town. Marie, his daughter, grew to be
a beautiful woman, much courted by
the most eligible young men of the new
country. She was in no hurry to &C.
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 a house in Kaskaskia
II was taken into partnership in one
of the trading houses there. He was
prosperous, handsome and we'll edu-
Gated and was soon received into the
homes of the white settlers. One night
at a ball he happened to meet Marie
Bernard.
The girl was at once fascinated by
h tall, fine looking Indian, who fell
in love with her at first sight and made
no secret Of his admiration. But Be-
ard pere soon noticed the attachment
II forbade mis- 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 a 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. He 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 Kaskaskia. For al
most a year nothing was heard of him,
and Bernard thought that his daughter
had forgotten her lover, for she al
peared gay and careless, and she ac-
cepted with apparent pleasure the at
tentions of a young Frenchman. One
night when a large ball at Kaskaskia
was at it's 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 q
party to go in pursuit of the %fugitives.
AS there was a 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 a days chase about 40 miles from
Kaskaskia. Their destination had been
the French settlement at st. Louis,
where the Indian had provided a home
for his wife.
The Indian surrendered without re-
s%istance, 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 0 allow it, for he said that
they should leave him to deal with his
daughters 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-