The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-15
Monument VIII Be Erected
In Honor Of En-me-gah-bowh.

Another of the living links that serv-
ed so long to bind together the memo
ries of statehood and territorial days
In Minnesota is gone. The greatest
and best beloved of all the Indian mis-
sionaries of the North Star state, En-
me- gah-boWh, died at the White Earth
reservation in June, 1902, and the event
which transpired but such a short time
ago is now revived by the fact that adj
mirers of the red man in general and
En- -gah-bowh in particular are
taking active measures to secure for
his last resting place a fitting monu-
ment.
Those who can claim the honor of
having met the famous Indian will not
wonder that such steps are being TAX
en-, Tor no one ever held even the brief
est conversation with him without
carrying away in their memories the
deepest admiration for the man.
According to the bastismal records
of the Episcopalian church his name
was John Johnson; but his Ottawa
name seemed much more appropriate
when one considers that, translated
into English, it means "He-who-g goes
before
En-me -gah- bowh was born of Otta-
wa parents on the northern shore of
Lake Ontario, in the Canadian pro-
vince of the same name, in 1915, but in
q well known fact that ever since the
settlement of Ontario, or Upper Cam
ada, that the Methodists of the pro-
vince were very jealous missionaries
and pioneers in every respect, and it
was through this trait of character on
the part Of the whites of his native
heath that En-me- gah-bo first came
to Minnesota. He was noted, even in
his early youth, among the miSSiona-
f1es for his more than ordinary keen
ness of intellect and they rewarded it
about the year 1885 by employing him
as Interpreter and teacher and bring
Ing him with them into the then will
derness Of Minnesota territory.
One Of his very first charges was a
school In the village of the famous chief
OF the Chippewas at that time, Hole
in-the-Day." In 1889 he was sent to
the Methodist college at Jacksonville,
I'LL, and While there it was his privilege
to hear Abraham Lincoln defend a
man who was being tried on a charge
Of murder: Several others had accom-
panied Johnson to the trial and one of
them, turning to the Indian, said of
Lincoln: THAT is the money he is
going to receive that is talking so elo-
quently" mo, no." vehemently re-,
piled the red man, "he is talking very
earnest-he believes every word he is
Baylng! Ever after one of his high
est ideals was the great emancipation.
After his return to Minnesota, when
his studies were over, he and Rev. DIR.
kaVanagh were walking one day
through the village of HoIe-in-t the
Day as they left the church where
johnson had just preached. Kav-
Rnagh said to him, after they had
walked some distance in silence: Did
you see that young girl who sat in
church next to an old blind woman
the girl VINO was covered with silver
brooches and trinkets?' The red man
replied that he had noticed her, and
then KaVanagh continued 81 would
very much like to see you settled with
wife. I'd like to know that you had
really taken life in earnest and in
tended to settle here in this field for
good and all. Don't you think that girl
would make you splendid companion
for life?"
At this point they came upon Mr.
Fostrun1, Mississippi river pilot, and
his advice was asked upon the cues
tion He said that the maiden was a
niece OF Hole-in- the-Day, that he had
known many young chiefs who had
tried in vain to sue for her hand, her
answer to them all was, "No, mol"
He could give En-me- gah- bowh
very little encouragement. But, they
thought, nothing could be gained by
not trying; so they went directly to
the tepee of the maiden where thew
found her. Mr. Fostrum said, 81 have
come with my young friend. En-me-
gah-bowh, to ask if you will take his
hand and live with him as man and
wife,
The maiden looked at him and smil-
ed, saying: ASK my parents" They
sought the Gather, who said: But your
friend is a stranger; if he should take
her away it would break our hearts
for she is our only child She has never
been away from u.s." The arrangement
arrived at, after much -wowing, as
is the custom Of the people, it was de-