The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-08
CURSE PUT ON
KASKASKIA.
End Of an Illinois Capital tho
Prophecy Of an Indian.
The CRUEL FATE OF LOVE.
The Devotion Of an Indian Brave for the
Beautiful Daughter eta
fIaGCaman.

Since the waters of the Mississippi river
have washed away the last vestige OF
Kaskaskia. the first capital of Illinois, an
old legend that contained the prophecy OF
the total destruction OF the once flourish
ing little city has been recalled kaskas-
kia was situated on peninsula at the
junction of the Kaskaskia and the Missis-
sippi 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 continued 10 wash away the
rich alluvial deposits on which Kaskaskia
was built, until, a few months ago, the
last foot OF the land where the town once
stood disappeared. This singular ending
OF Kaskaskia's once splendid ambitions
has recalled 10 the superstitious the story
that the town was cursed more than a
century ago by an Indian who had been
wronged by one of tne leading citizens.
Jean Bernard came to this country from
France In l6se. bringing with him his wife
and his l0-year-old daughter. Marie. The
family settled in kaskaskia. where Ben
ard established a merchandising busi-
ness.
The Frenchman soon became one OF
the most influential men OF the town.
Marie, his daughter. grew 20 be beauu-
full woman. much courted by the most
eligible young men of the new country.
She was In no hurry to accept any of
them. and her fame as a belle spread
from Lake Michigan to the Gull of Mexi-
co.
young chief of the Kaskaskia tribe OF
yin tod 10
Christianity after several years OF study
under the tutelage OF the Jesuits. built
himself a house I'm kaskaskia and was
taken into partnership in one OF the trad
ing-houses there. lie was prosperous.
handsome, and well educated. and was
soon received into the homes OF the white
settlers. One night at bali he happened
to meet Marie Bernard
LOVED AT FIRST SIGHT.
The girl was at once fascinated by the
tail, fine-4eoriHg INDIAN vpae- ft-il iers
with her a first sight and made no secret
of his admiration. But Bernard pere soon
noticed the attachment and forbade his
daughter from communicating with the
young Indian. To mack sure that there
would be no more meetings, Bernard used
his influence TO prevent the chief from
attending any of the social entertain
ments given In Kaskaskia.
But love always finds a way and the
young couple managed TO see each other
despite all the precautions of the girl
father But Bernard became aware of
these meetings and again took means to
prevent them. lie was man OF wealth
and influence and he had the Indian
forced out of his partnership in the, trad
ing company.
The Indian left Kaskaskia. For almost
a year nothing was heard OF him, and
Bernard thought that his daughter had
forgotten her lover, for she appeared gay
and careless and she accepted with ap-
parent pleasure the attentions of a young
frenchman. One night when large bali
at kaskaskia was at its height. Marie
Benard disappeared.
Those who searched for Marie discov-
cred that the young chief Of the Kaskas-
kans had been seen that evening in the
town, and the conclusion was at once
reached that the girl had eloped with him.
Bernard at once organized a party to go
I'm pursuit of the fugitives. As there was
heavy snow on the ground their trail
was easily discovered and followed. The
Indian and Marie had crept away afoot,
and as their puisuers were supplied with
fast horses, the young lovers were cap
tured, after days chase, about forty
miles from Kaskaskia. Their destination
had been the French settlement at st.
Louis. where the Indian had provided
home for his wife.
CAPTIvEs TAKEN TO KAsKAsKIA.
The Indian surrendered without resist
ance and the posse started on the journey
back to Kaskaskla, taking the two cap
tves Most of the men who composed
Bensrds party wanted TO kill the Indian
instantly, but Bernard would not allow IL.
for. he said, that they should leave him
ia -deal-wIth his daughters -lnxcr--
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 tight
ly TO n log turned him aurift in the river
AS the helpless Indian foated 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 y prophecy that within
zoo years the waters which were then
bearing him away would sweep from the
earth every vestiFe Of the town, so that
only The name would be left
The unhappy girl died IN the convent.
Bernard was killed in l1l2 in a duel The
last trace Of kaskaskla has been oblit-
Grated. and the superstitious declare that
the Indians curse has had something TO
do with the passing OF the once flourish
INK town. on dark and stormy nights
the ghost of the Indian is said to appear.
Inc specter with strong arms bound
and face upturned floats slowly by on the
river where the stream sweeps by the
site Of the vanished city I'm which Marie
Benard once lived and In which she died
f,ourninU the red man that - loved