The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-31

"I have found situation at which. COM
bining as it does so many advantages In
locality and central position that it Will
become hereafter one Of the finest cities OF
America, shall build my settlement"
Navigation was opened early in March.
and Ligueste Immediately sent Chouteau
with thirty men to found the settlement
These were the boys orders:
"You will proceed and land at the place
where We marked the trees. You will COM
mence to have the place cleared, and build
large shed to contain the provisions and
the tools, and some small cabins to lodge
the men. I give you two men on whom
you can depend, who will aid you very
much: and will join you before long,"
Settlers Frightened by
Band of Missouri Indians.
1t was a motley crowd which landed at
the foot of Walnut street on the evening
Of March IA. 1864. Young Chouteau was first
to step ashore. After him came his two eids
each of them old enough to be his father
and the rest of the party. They took the
tools out of the barge, and, as Ligueste and
Chouteau had done before. climbed the lit
tie hill to where stood the trees which were
to be felled.
In a month, the shed which was to con-
tain the tools and the goods was completed.
and the side of the hill was dotted with
rough cabins in which the men. in parties
of five or six, found shelter at night. Then
Ligueste made his first visit to the settle
ment He vigorously set to the important
task of laying out the village as it should
be; he showed again where the big store
house and the big square dwellings were TO
stand. And then he hurried back to Fort
Chartres, as the British were daily expected
to arrive and take possession, and it was
necessary for him to get his goods safely
away.
Hardly had he gone when the settlers
were frightened half out. of their wits by
the appearance of a score Of Missouri In
dian braves. The red men came listlessly.
They grunted a greeting; they smoked their
pipes and squatted on their launches; they
gave no sign of hostility: they only begged
food. which was gladly given them.
Late in the afternoon they departed, and
Chouteau and his party breathed freely
again.
But there was rather more care in placing
pickets around the settlement that night.
and. there was rather less sleeu for the
score and half Of rough men.
Red Men Began to Make
Wholly at. Home.
The sun had barely risen next morning
when Indian faces began to appear at the
top Of the hill. Tall braves stood stolidly in
the glow OIL tue rlSlTS sun, around tQeE, IN
a constantly increasing crowd, were
grouped squaws and children.
After awhile they moved slowly down
upon the village.
The white men stopped the work they
had just begun: each saw that his rifle was J
close at hand.
But an old brave raised his hand in a |
sign that meant peace. |
The Oldest man OF the settlers went for |
ward to meet the Indians.
What mean my red brothers?" he asked. !
Friends," said the Indian warrior who.
Did and ugly. stood forward as the spokes- |
nan. White man come make village. In |
nan come-be with you. We friends white |
man. Brothers. Our enemies follow us-kill- |
scaip-run away with squaws and chill |
iren. We like ducks and buzzards-no
nome, hungry. hunting grounds all stolen.
we come live here. You make settlement
Dig house. We make settlement all around |
you. Enemy come. We fight with you;
'nemy come, you fight with u.s."