Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-24
Petit wrote. I'VE left six graves under

the shadow of the Cross
The suffering that fell to the lot of these
poor Indians on this horrible journey can
not be adequately described, but may be
judged from the fact that their numbers
were reduced by $50 before they reached
their new reservation on the Usage river.
Father Petit saw them safely established
and then started on his return trip.
At st. Louis he succumbed to malar1ai
fever and the nervous strain of the ordeal
and died. His remains were removed 10
Notre Dame Ind, where they lie In the
cemetery attached to the university.
Starved Rock Park.
The Illinois legislature at its recent ses-
sion appropriated $1,000 to- pay the ex-
pense of an investigation and report as
to the practicability of acquiring Starved
Rock, at Ottawa, Ill, as state reserva-
ton and park. This is the result or a
movement that originated in the Chicago
Literary Club December Is. 1905, when
paper on the subject was read by Iheo.
dore Jessup of Topeka, Kan.
Other persons and clubs took up the
agitation, and the action of the leglsla-
ture will probably be followed by the pur-
chase of what is undoubtedly the most
historic and one of the most picturesque
landmarks in the state, which aireauS
has received a great deal of attention In
the writings of Parkman, Breese, Parish
and other historians. f. G. Osman has
rendered distinct service by publishing
an admirable pamphlet reciting the
events and incidents that have occurred
at Starved Rock, and Mrs. CatheraWood
has woven a historical romance about II
called "Tonty."
Starved Rock is as interesting to the
people of Illinois as Plymouth Rock to
the people of New England, and James
town Island to the people of Virginia;
while to the public at large it has an I'M
usual interest from the fact that Father
Marquette there established the first mis-
sionary station and started the first or
Christ in the Mississippi valley. Almost
within the shadow of the rock the Mis-
sion Of the Immaculate Conception was
founded in 1915, and there it remained
until it was removed to Kaskaskia, on the
Great river.
Story Of Starved Rock.
Our first knowledge of Starved Rock
comes from Sieur Louis Joliet, who was
sent out from Quebec by Frontenac in
1872 to find and report upon the great
water. Father Marquette accompanied
him from Mackinac. May 1, 1873, in birch
bark canoes. with five guides.
This Journey was one of the most
famous in the annals of American eXplo-
ration. They passed up the Fox river from
Green bay to the Mississippi, then down
turned to the lakes by way Of the Illinois
river stopping at Starved Rock in Sep
TENDER, 1873, where they found the larg-
est and most important Indian village
they saw in their journey.
Father Marquette returned the next
year to establish his mission in accord
ance with a promise he made to the IN
dams of Starved Rock at the time
La Sale camped at the rock In his first
exploration of the Illinois in the winter of
1679-SO. and left a portion of his party
there in command of Henri de Tonty, his
lieutenant, whose men soon mutinied and
abandoned him.
Later a regular garrison was provided.
Of which Henri de Tonty was placed in
command. and so continued for twenty
years. From this spot many explora-
tons and expeditions were planned and
fitted out. It was the most important
strategic point held by the French in the
Mississippi valley for a quarter of
century.
The rock obtained it's name from
tragedy of war which occurred there in
band of Illinois Indians there until they
starved to death. The vicinity of the
rock was the scene of several battles be-
tween the contending tribes.
In later years under the shadow Of the
rock the two sections of the Illinois and
Michigan canals were joined; the first
survey of the Illinois Central railroad
began there also, and these events have
added to the interest Of the place. The
property, including about 800 acres, now
belongs to Chicago gentleman, who
conducts a summer hotel there.
The plan is to purchase all the hold
ings and convert it into free public
park with suitable protection.
Monument to Powell.
At the recent session Congress appro-
priated 5000 for the erection of mon
ument to commemorate the services of
the late Maj. ]. w. Powell, for many
years director of the United States geo.
logical survey. and the first man to ex-
plore the Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
DIR. William H. Holmes, chief of the bu-
reau of ethnology: DR.. c. D. Walcott.
secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
and Henry Clay Rizer. chief clerk of the
geological survey, constitute commits
sion to carry out the plan.
1t is probable that the monument will
be erected at FL Tower, formerly known
as Bright Angel. on the rim of the
branch of the Santa Fe railroad, near a
hotel erected by that company. That
point commands the finest view of the
Grand Canyon, and it was Maj. Powells
favOrite vista.
1t is understood that both the Santa Fe
and the Rio Grande railroads will ask
the privilege Of contributing toward the
cost Of the monument.
NldJ FOWeiI. Is DuTieQ IN the national
cemetery at Arlington, where his grave
still remains unmarked. The committee
which has charge of erecting the monu-
ment at Grand Canyon, at the earnest
solicitation Of his old friends and former
associates, has consented to undertake
the work of securing funds for an appro-
pirate monument there also, and the
idea will appeal to the members of the
scientific world to which he contributed
so much of Importance.
1t has been suggested also that in addi-
ton to a monument to mark his grave
at Arlington, a statue similar to that of
the late Joseph Henry, In bronze, should
be erected in the grounds of the Smith
sonian Institution TO commemorate the
life and services, of man who was al
ways leader, who was famous for plan
ming and organizing scientific work and
who did more, perhaps. than any other
to develop the scientific bureaus of the
United States government.
Mr.. III. G. Rizer. chief clerk of the
geological survey. has consented to act
treasurer of the monument fund and
has already received contributions OF
about $1,000. The commission invites
suggestions as to the character of the
monument as well as subscriptions to
pay the cost Of it's erection.
ENDS LIFE IN A CHAIR.