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

Down at the northern end Of the island Is
quaint old frame church, built in 1929 by
the Presbyterlans, and undoubtedly the
Oldest Protestant house of worship in the
northwest 1t stands today exactly as 1t
was built. with an old-fashioned pulpit and
gallery and box pews with doors. The mis-
sion house, erected in 1925. stands across
and since the Indians moved away and the
mission was given up in 1887 1t has been
used as q boarding house.
The first Catholic mission was established
in 1911 by Father Marquette. the Jesuit
missionary and explorer at ST. Ignace on
the main land just west Of Mackinac Is
land. The present church, built on the site
Of his mission. is near the steamer landing
and well worth visit, for 1t contains sew
erai interesting relics. the most important
of which is a portrait Of Ignatius Loyola,
founder Of the Society of Jesus, which
was brought to America by Father Mar
Quette and has been at the ST. Ignace mis-
sion 236 years.
The first Protestant mission was estab-
lished on Mackinac Island In 1902 by the
Rev. David Bacon. sent out by the Con-
necticut Presbyterian board OF missions
He had spent the two previous years
preaching among the Indians at Detroit.
He remained at Mackinac, working among
the trappers and traders. as well as the In
dams. until the war of 1872. when he re-
tired. The mission was abandoned until
1923. when the United Foreign Missionary
to resume work He began work in No
vember, 1923 and built the church and the
mission house. Thomas w. Ferry, who
represented the state of Michigan in the
United States Senate for two terms, and
being President of the Senate became act
ing Vice President of the United States
after the death of Vice President Henry
Wilson, was his son and was born in the
mission house June l, 1927. Rev Mr..
Ferry removed to Grand Haven in 1884.
In 1894 a number of summer residents
purchased the old mission church and put II
In repair as a memorial. 1t Is now used fol
during the season.
Marriages With tho Indians.
Several men who have been prominent r
building up the northwest or who have beer
intimately connected with its history have
! been the sons of Indian women. One OF
them was the late John Logan Chapman
| son Of learned Judge Of the supreme cour1
of Michigan and himself a Judge Of the SUI
perior court at Detroit and for several terms
| a member of Congress. He was a descend.
ant of the famous Chippewa chief Charlie.
Bawgam, who has often been described
as one of the noblest specimens Of his race
that ever lived For more than sixty years
he exercised q wide influence for peace be
| tween the two races upon the upper PENN
sula Of Michigan. He died only few years
ago, at the age Of 100 years. 1t was sale
Of him that IL he had had the advantage:
Of education he would have been a leader
of the nation, as he was Of his own race
| and tribe. During the latter years Of his
| life Bawgam lived with his wife and daugh
| ter in a cabin on Presque Isle. near Mar
quette, which had been built for him by
Peter White. the founder and still the mos
prominent citizen of that place. In 1881
Bawgam became blind. which was q grea
| deprivation, because it prevented him from
| reading and fishing, which were his chic
occupations.
| Henry r. Schoolcraft. for many years In
dian agent on Mackinac Island, and perhap:
| the most voluminous and celebrated writer
| upon Indian history and matters connected
| with that race, married Jane, the half
| breed daughter OF John Johnson, WHOSE
wife was one Of the most remarkable
| women In the northwest. Longfellow baset
| his beautiful poem "fIiawatha" upon al
1 O1ibway legend which Mr. Seheolcraf
| translated and published in English.
The Famous Mrs. johnson.
| John Johnson was the son of civil en-
gineer in ireland who, among other things
| built the water works at Belfast. Hi.
| mother was a sister of a bishop, and boil
sides of the family were we'll connected
In 1892 young johnson came to Canada will
letters of recommendation to Lord Dor
| chester, then governor general, who CAV,
| him DermiSSi0n N ioip trading no ri,