Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-08-21
Testing a Gun.

1 Will tel yOu Tie sIOIy VI III" tA0
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 tepee near Grand
Portage, on the north shore, said an
old-timer.
eve were out on an exploring trip,
when we ran across Muskwa's s band.
Among the Indians was big half
breed called Joe Piskwe. He was
native-born CRATER, and when he found
that he could not beg, borrow nor
steal our tobacco and whisky he pro-
ceeded to bargain for a little. We
were all tenderfeet, and had the usu-
al curiosity of this species of human
beings as to the legends and doings
of the Indians, so we arranged with
Big Joe to have seance that nightin
Muskwa'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 MIN were seated the subchiefs
and warriors, and facing him the
young men and boys Of the tribe. The
girls and dogs rustled for
themselves outside Of the tepee, they
not being considered worthy of being
instructed in the traditions of the
tribe. Piskwe acted as interpreter
and the seance lasted until the early
dawn.
"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
young brave the Blackrobes came to
visit the Chippewas Of the big lake.
With them were many voyagers, and
they had guns and much tackle to take
fish. The Blackrobes would not allow
a gun to be taken from its case, tell
ing us that their mission was peace,
not war. We were curious about the
guns, but we held our tongues. Some
of the voyagers 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 Mack
mac Island), where the Indians could
buy guns, cloth, beads and other won
lerful 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
he lake.
"It was the end Of summer. A
great council was called near this spot
and long consultations were held, and
t was finally decided to send two
great canoes to visit the trading post
described by the white men. All that
winter the Chippewas hunted and
trapped for fur as they had never be-
ore, and in the spring great packs of
9elts lay in the head chiefs wigwsm.
Two great war canoes were built by
he squaws and band of picked men
vas sent away to find the traders.
"'My grandfather was great hum
er, and he went along with heavy
packs of beaver skins that he had got |
during the winter. Late in the fall |
he canoes returned and they brought |
With them many wonderful things
rom the traders, but only one gun.
10 more could be obtained, and only |
.bout 90 charges of powder and ball
.ould be bought. To procure this gun
beaver skins had to be piled along
ide of it on one side until the muzzle |
If the gun, when rested with its butt
md on the floor, and mink, fisher,
narten and other skins had to be SIM
larly piled upon the other side. Ny
grandfather had enough peltry to do
his, and he it was who obtained the
nuch-coveted gun.
"'The gun was loaded this time with
bullet, and then target was sought |
or.
"'Away near the shore Of the lake
at an old squaw upon a rock. She
vas so old that she had no relations
" friends left. She was nearly blind,
lad lost all her teeth, and during the |
coming winter she would have been
eft upon the trail to die. So it was
decided by the chiefs that the gun
hould be tried upon her. Silently |
ny grandfather crept up behind the
I'D woman, and when about II PAGES
,e fred the charge into her back. She
ell off the rock, kicked once or twice,
Ind then lay dead. Thus were the
,eople shown the power Of the
'bOasting nagen, or thunder stick Of
he white men, and greatly did they |
marvel and fear it.