The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1903-07-11
SOMEINDIANHIS
1t Was Written by Rev. T. c.
Thomas. a lI-Blooded
Redman,

Rev. TIC. Thomas, of Thomasville
Munising township, is a full-bloodet
Indian preacher. He formerly re
sided at L'Anse Nj. E. Mission. Hi.
Indian name is Nah-ben-ay-ash and
he was born in East Nunising in {
wigwam about forty years ago. The
Rev. Thomas received his education
in the schools of Munising township
and at Albion college. He is vel
known among his tribesmen of the
upper peninsula, northern Wiscon.
sin and Minnesota. He is writing q
series of articles on Indian history
for the Munising Republican. The
first appears in last weeks issue oil
that paper, and is as follows:
1t has been space of three hun
dred years since the battle shout OF
the Hurons died away, and the
lroquois shouted their note of tri-
umph. 1t was a long struggle be-
tween the Hurons and Iroquois.
When they were first heard of by
Champlain, the Hurons occupied the
whole tract of land about the three
lakes, Ontario, Erie and Huron. BY
the treaty of the five nations, they
formed a confederation, as did their
brethern, the Iroquois, who oc-
cupied at that time the most of
what is now New York.
Few Indian wars have been more
cruel and bloody than those between
the Hurons and the Iroquois. The
forces on each side were equal. They
had acquired great expertness with
firearms already, and from child
hood they had been trained how to
use the bow and arrow. Both were
injured to climate and fatigue. The
whole Huron country was kept in
constant commotion, for the Hurons
had made depredat,ons upon the
Algonquin tribes in the south, north
and west. When they fell out with
their own brethern (the Iroquois),
the war became a series of san
culinary single combats. The hands
Of friends became those of enemies
the Hnrons now waged war against
their allies. Before this they had
committed most barbarous acts
acts which could not be forgotten
by the Algonquins-the Ojibways,
Ottawas and Menominees-there-
fore the latter turned a deaf ear to
their cries and listened not when
they came and related their mis-
fortunes. 1t was heartrending to
see the Huron warrior suppressing
his sobs and tears and many war.
rior shouted vengeance on the Huron
with whom they had till then been
on peaceful terms. They had not
forgotten their former treaties, or
that their faith in the sacredness of
them, confirmed by the pipe of peace,
had been violated. The allies of the
Ojibways had been trifled with; they
must now receive the reward of their
perfidy, for the frown of the Munedoo,
before whom they had consented to
smoke the pipe Of piece, rested on
them.
The struggle went on; each al
ternately rent the skies with shouts
OF victory, which were but momen-
tary. The walls of wounded and
suffering were heard on the shores
OF the broad Niagara and on the
banks of the St. Lawrence. Tie
Hurons had penetrated to the noi tn
along the Ottawa river. Their
canoes foated by the banks of the
Ontario, Erie, Huron. The inland
lakes in the northern part of the
peninsula were thronged with them.S
The rivers, mountains, and valleys
were all theirs. Ia such delight
full country were their game and
wigwams and it was for these they
fought with a desperation seldom
equalled-never excelled-til con-
quered by their own brethren, they
yielded what they had so bravely
struggled to retain.
Dispersion of the Hurons took
place and they sought shelter
amid the tribes on the
southwest shore of Lake Huron
about Saginaw. Others went to the
east end Of Lake Superior; others
joined western tribes, and some