Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-19

o-1ee, head CHIEF or the ChlppeWas, ana
Johnson fell in love with his daughter, then
a beautiful young squaw of sixteen or sew
enteen years. When he asked the girls
hand in marriage her father replied:
Your customs are not our customs; your
eyes not our eyes: your ways are not
our ways; the white man forgets his Indian
wife when he returns to his own people.
Go back to your home, and IL the women
of the palefaces do not put my child out of
your mind you can return in the spring, and
We will see what will see and know what
we will know then
Johnson returned to Montreal with the
rest of the party, but in the summer of
1893 came to claim his bride, and her father
consented to the marriage, provided John
son would allow her to remain among her
own people and live in the neighborhood Of
Sault Ste. Marie. Johnson built a large
house of logs near the rapids. where the
canal Is now, and brought furniture, car
pets, hangings, silver. china and the equip
ment of baronial castle from Ireland to
furnish 1t. He had considerable wealth and
lived in splendor. compared with his sur
roundings. He became the most important
in that section of the country. In
1907 he visited his ancestral home in Ire
land for the first time since his marriage,
taking with him his eldest daughter. Jane,
who afterward became Mrs. Schoolcraft.
The young woman created decided sensa-
ton in London, Dublin and other cities
where they visited. The Duchess of Devon
shire patroniZed her and introduced her at
court, and she was left there to complete
her education. Two or three of the other
daughters were also educated in England
Charlotte became the wife of the Rev. Will
liam McMurray, clergyman of the Church
Of England. who came to this country and
was afterward archdeacoR Of Canada. A
third daughter, Anna Maria became the
wife of James L. Schoolcraft. brother of the
historian. One of the sons became an Of
ficer in the English navy, and another
served In the British army and fought
against the Americans during the engage
ment Mackfnac Island AupuSt 1914
Averted War With the Indians.
Mrs Johnson acted as Interpreter for
Gen. Lewis Cass and Thomas L. McKenney,
the commissioners who negotiated the
treaty of Fond du Lac in 1926, and Gen
Cass afterward reported to the government
that 1t was entirely due to her judgment
and influence that war was averted and the
treaty signed. As a reward for her services
one section of land was given to Mrs John
son and one section to each of her children
and grandchildren. Part Of this land was
selected on Sugar Island, few miles below
the Sault Ste Marie.
Mr.. McKenney, in a letter written at the
| time described Mrs. Johnson as "A genuine
Chippewa without the slight est admixture OF
white blood She Is large and tall, but I'M
commonly active and cheerful. She dresses
| nearly in the costume Of her nation-a blue
petticoat of cloth. short gown Of calico,
with leggings worked with beads and moe
casins Her hair Is very black. She plaits
and fastens 1t up behind with a comb; her
eyes are black and expressive. She has
fine teeth. and. indeed. her face denotes a
vigorous intellect and great frmness Of
character. and needs only to be seen to sat-
isfy even a tyro like myself that she re-
quired only the advantages Of education and
experience to have placed her in society
upon the level of the most distinguished of
her sex. AS q wife she Is devoted to her
husband as a mother she is tender and af-
fectionate. and as friend. faithful. She
manages her domestic affairs in a way that
might afford lessons to the better instruct
ed. As to influence there Is no chief of the
Chippewa nation who exercises 1t. when 1t Is
| necessary for her to do 30. with equal sue
cess"
In q similar manner Mr.. McKenney de-
seribes Jane. Charlotte. Eliza. Anna Maria
and the other children, who, he says.
| would take the front rank among the best
improved. whether in requirements. in
tastes or In graces. When I look upon this
group OF interesting children and reflect
that their mother IL a native Of our wilds.
1 wish for the sake of the Indians that
every representative Of the people. and all
who might have influence to bring about a
complete system for the preservation and
Improvement of the rising generation. could
see them. too"
The descendants Of John Johnson are
scattered quite widely through this part Of
the country and. without exception, are use
| full and estimable citizens.