Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-08-16
TESTING. A GUN.

| first shotgun was brought to Lake Su-
perior, as it was told in my presence by
old Chief Muskwa (Bear) one night
years ago in a tepee near Grand Por-
tage on the north Shore" said an old
timer
I'VE were out on an exploring trip
when we ran across Muskwa's band.
Among the Indians was a big half
breed called Joe Piskwe. He was ma
tive born CRATER, and when he found
that he could not beg, borrow or steal
our tobacco and whisky he proceeded
to bargain for a little. We were all
tenderfeet and had the usual curiosity
Of this species of human beings as tu
the legends and doings of the Indians.
so we arranged with Big Joe to have a
seance that night in Muska's wigwam.
THE scene was really impressive
and not untinged with romance. On
one side of the fire sat the aged chief
on a pile Of bear skins and blankets.
Around him were seated the sub-chiefs
and warriors, and facing him the
young men and boys Of tie tribe. The
squaws, girls and dogs rustled for
themselves outside the tepee, they not
being considered worthy Of being in
structed in the traditions Of the tribe.
Piskwe acted as interpreter and the
seance lasted until the early dawn.
1.-The old chief himself, over 100 years
Of age. began to speak in short, slow
sentences: Many years ago. he said,
when my grandfather was a young
brave, the Blackrobes came to visit the
Chippewas of the big lake. With them
were many voyageurs and they had
guns and much tackle to take fish. The
Blackrobes would not allow a gun to
be taken from it's case, telling us that
their mission was peace, not war. We
were curious about the guns, but we
held our tongues. Some Of the voy-
ageurs could speak our tongue. and
they told us of the great trading post
far beyond the rapids at the end Of the
great sea water (probably Mackinac
Island), where the Indians could buy
guns, cloth, beads and other wonderful
things, if they had furs Of the mink,
beaver and other animals found In
great plenty. After some days the
Blackrobes left us and went off down
the lake.
| "'It was the end of the summer. A
great council was called near this spot
and long consultations were held, and
it was finally decided to send two great
canoes to visit the trading post de-
scribed by the white men. All that
winter the Chippewas hunted and trap
ped for fur as they never had before,
and in the spring great packs of pelts
lay in the head chiefs wigwam. Two
great war canoes were built by the
squaws and a band of picked men was
sent away to find the traders.
my grandfather was great hum
ter and he went along with heavy
packs of beaver skins that he had got
during the winter. Late in the fall the
canoes returned and they brought with
them many wonderful things from the
traders, but only one gun. No more
could be obtained and only about 20
charges Of powder and ball could be
bought. To procure this gun beaver
skins had to be piled up alongside of
it on one side until the pile was of
equal height with the muzzle Of the
gun when rested with the butt end on
the floor, and mink, fisher, marten and
other skins had to be similarly piled
upon the other side. My grandfather
had enough peltry TO do this, and he IL
was who obtained the much coveted
gun.
1.-The Indians then held dance
and feast. and the proud owner Of the!
gun demonstrated how it was loaded
and fired off. AS the powder flashed
amid the smoke and roar of the dis
charge, the Indians fell on their faces
trembling with fear, but, seeing tina,
no harm followed the alarming explo-
sion, they were clamorous for further
demonstration as to the use of the
piece for destroying their relentless
foes. the Sioux.
1.-The gun was loaded this time
with a bullet and then a target was
sought for.
Away near the shore of the lake
sat an old squaw upon rock. She was
so old that she had no relations or
friends left. She was nearly blind,
and had lost all her teeth, and during
the coming winter she must have been
left upon the trail to die. So it was
decided by the CHIEFS that the gun
should be tried upon her. Silently my
grandfather crept up behind the old
woman and when about IL PAGES. he
fired the charge into her back. She
fell off the rock, kicked once or twice
and then lay dead. Thus were the peo-
pie shown the power of the white men.
and greatly did they marvel and fear
it,
During the relation of the story OIL
the butchery of the old squaw not
sign of disapproval was visible upon
the stolid faces of old Muskwa's abor
iginal hearers. The old chief himself
seemed rather to enjoy the recital. as
he was silent for few moments, dis
playing his toothless gums in ghastly
grin. Big Joe was visibly delighted
with the story, and evidently enjoyed
the distinction Of being the one to con-
vey the tale of The heartless deed to
the white visitors Piskwe himself
was afterward killed by white man,
named Jim Ruttle, after a desperate
fight on Mayhew's dock, at Grand
Marais. Ruttle stood his trial for muir
der before Judge Stearns in this county
and was sent to Saltwater, but was
subsequently pardoned. He also is
| now dead.