The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-28
rHE pAssrNo OF A NATroN.

Nations have risen and failsn during all the ages of the earth. They come on the scene of action, run their course with more or less renown, and pass away for ever. History gives us a more or less extended and detailed account of their rise, their progress, their achievements of their going out, and that Is the end of the story.
 In American history the nations which have passed away are few. out we have lately read an account of the end of one which Is not without interest. A news paper account tells us of the death of Kisnkia. said to ne the last of the ence frmous nation or tribe of Delaware 1n- diens. This was the name .,iven them by the whites. but they called themselves Rerappi. or Lenappi, meaning the true men" or 'real men, From that word comes Lenni Lenape. name famous in both history and romance.
 The Delawares claimed that tradition showed them to be the original owners of the land on which New York now ct ands, anu thot lS d COEIupttOi ol their own name for the island. They claim that they were in possession when the first white man landad in America. They lived in or roamed over a large DOT tion of the territory now known as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Del aware. They were of the Algonquin stock, and as member of the famous rive Nations were among the most powerful of all the tribes of the East. It was with them. too, that William Penn made his famous treaty in 1882, and to him end to that treaty they were always faithful while he lived.
 Tho number of the Delawares was at one time estimated to be 15,0oO though it Is impossible to get accurate figures of the Indian population in their native state. They were certainly a powerful nation. at all events. and the readers of Cooper and other romance writers of these early days will find that they occu- pied prominent and really glorious place ir history, viewed from the standpoint of the Irdian. for they were brave, resource full aud determined, and unequalled in their patriotism and devotion to the land of their fathers.
 But, like all the other tribes and na- tions which set themselves against the pale face. the Qelawares made a losing fight For four centuries they were dis possessed, pushed back and decimated, some of them driven te Canada, some to the far West. some taking positions on reservations along with other tribes. un- lieve, they gave up their tribal designa tion and became part of the Cherokee nation.
 There is something pathetic in the death of this old chief, Kjankia- who claimed to be the last of a long line of chieftains, and also claimed that he was really the last of the nelawares. He refused to leave the land of his forefathers, and in his last days occupied a little hut near the Raritan River, N. J., where he di- few days ago at the age of 95 years. His last request. that he should be laid away under the shadow of an ancient elm. where once his fathers assembled in solemn council" was carried out bv a faithful white friend, and the old war rior departed for the Indians spirit land from the home of his birth.
 go Fsnnimere Cooper rimmortalzed "The Last of the Mohicans.' but who will tell the story of the Last of the Delawares?