The Lambertville record., 1901-03-06
HE CURSED THETOWN
END OF THE FIRST CAPITAL OF It'll
Nois PRoPHESleD BY AN INDIAN.

'NOlS . MT OF AN tNOlAN.
The Destruction OF the Town of Kas-
snSkia Whs In Accordance with
the Last Words of the Chief Who
Died For Woman's Love.
Since the waters of the Mississippi
river washed away the last vestlge of
kaskaskia, the first capital of Illinois,
an old legend that contained the proph-
ecy of the total destruction of the once
flourishing little city has been recalled.
kaskaskia was situated ON Il peninsula
at the junction Of the Kaskaskia and
the Mississippi rivers. and In 1882 the
Mississippi river cut Its way through
the peninsula. leaving the remnant OF
the town on an island The water con
tinued to wash away the rich alluyial
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-
kaskla's once splendid ambitions has
recalled TO the supersttious 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 1908, bringing with him
his wife and his 10-ycar old daughter
Marie. The family settled In Kaskas-
kia, where Bernard established a mer.
chandislng business. The Frenchman
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 ae-
cept any of them. and her fame as
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 Il house In Kaskaskia
and was taken into partnership In one
of the trading houses there. He was
prosperous, handsome and well edu-
cated and was soon received into the
homes Of the white settlers. One night
ut hall lie 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
aud 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
Kaskasli0.
But love always finds Il way, and the
young couple managed to see each 9th
er despite all the precautions Of the
girls father. Eut Bernard became
aware of these meetings and again
took means to prevent them. lie was
n man of wealth and influence. and he
Ind the Indian forced out Of his part
nershlp II the trading company.
The Indian left Knskaskia. For nj
most year nothing WIS heard of him,
and Benard thought that his daughter
had forgotten her lover. for she ap-
peared gay and careless, and she nc
cepted with apparent pleasure the at
tentions of young Frenchman. one
night when n large bah at Kaskaskin
was at its height Marie Bernard disap-
pearcd
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 WINS
at once reached that the girl had cloped
with him Bernard Mt once organized
party TO 20 In pursuit Of the fugitives.
AS there wGs n heavy enow on the
ground, their trail was easily discov-
cred and followed. The Indian and
Marie had crcpt away nfoot. and AZ
their pursuers were supplied with fast
horses the young lovers were captured
after days chase about 40 miles from
KasEaskIa. Their destination had been
the French settlement Mt 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 Kaskaskla, taking the
two captlvcs. Most OF the men who
composed Benards pnrty wanted to
kill the Indian Instantly. but Bernard
would not allow ii, for he said that
they should leave him To deal with his
daughters lover.
When the party reached kaskaskia,
tho girl was placed IN the convent
there. Then Bcnard took the Indian
to the bank OF the Mississippi and
him adrift In the river. AZ the help
less Indian Aoated away to his death
he raised his eyes to heaven and cursed
Bernard, who. he declared, would die
violent death The Indians last
words were q prophecy thai 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 Gled In the convent.
Bernard was killed In l7l2 IN duel.
The last trace OF Kaskaskia has been
obllterated, and the superstitious de
clare that BE Indians curse has had
something to do with the passing OF the
once flourishIng town. On dark aud
stormy nights the ghost OF the Indian
Is said to appear. The specter. with
strong arms bound and face upturned.
Goats slowly by on the river where the
stream sweeps by the site of the van
ished city in which Marie Bernard once
lived and In which she died mourning
the red man that she loved.-Chicago
Inter Ocean,
lie Epew Better.