Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-07-30
RED JACKET
The Savage Who Talked Better Than
he fought.

Nre'N ~ ha0AC-~ AuN INC utEkttt
runner among the Indian scouts EN-
ployed by the British 10 the Reyolu.
uonary War. He was tireless and
covered long stretches Of rough forest
country with marvellous speed. A.
british officer toward the end OF the
revolution gave Sagoycwatha east
on iiform jacket, brilliant scarlet land
faced with gold braid. The gift was
prize for running.
sagowatha's barbaric soul rejoiced
NJ SO gaudya garment. He wore il
day and night until 1t wasin shreds.
And thereby he won for himself the
nickname by which he is best known
to history Red Jacket
Red jacket was strange man.
Even his own,-,people did not know
whether TO despise or honor him. In
battle he was coward. In council he
was genius. He was at once pa
triot and a low politician; reformer
and crook; friend to the white men
and their bitter foe. His eloquence
could sway whole Indian 'snatton.'
lie could plan inspired campaigns Of
war or diplomacy. Yet he shrsnk
from lighting and often failed to live
up to bis own teachings. He sought TO
turn the Indians from drunkenness.
&c. Yet he died an imbeciIe drunk
| ard.
Red Jacket was born near Geneva
| N. r., in l75l, and succeeded the great
Brant as chief OF the WoIf tribe Of the
Seneca "nation." Grant despised him
Tor his eowardice, and In contempt
nicknamed him "rhe CIV KiIler.u
Yet within a few years Rad jacket
became the foremost man In the
mighty 'Six Naticns," talking his
way TO supremacy among people
who admired deeds rather than. words.
When the RevoluIon broke out he and
his people espoused tine British cause.
II was as foremost runner and scout
for the English officers, rather than az
warrior, that Red Jacket distin-
guished him self during the ReyoIu-
tIonary years.
In 1854 conference was held at
Fort Stanwix to discuss treaty be-
tween the Six Nations and the u nited
States. Red jacket argued iiere ely
against such treaty, and used all his
wonderful leloquence to avert. Yet
| when he failed and the treaty was rat
iiied, he promptly threw his influence
upon the other side and rendered the
country such good service among his
own people that in 1892 the President
conferred upon him huge silver
medal. This medal represented George
Washington and RED jacket sndk ing
the pipe OF peace together. The glitter
OF the silver aud the picture Of himself
on terms Of equality with Washington
so ticKIed the Indians vanity and love
Of display that he heneeforth wore the
Medallion until the day Of his death.
1t was bis dearest treasure.
Red Jacket gave far mere than
value received for the Washingto
medal. For, when Tecumseh stroye
to rouse the various Indian tribes
against the white men II was he who
early learned Of the plot and notified
the Government. His tidings did much
to help Uncle Sam check this whole
| sale conspiracy. Soon afterward, at
the beginning Of the wxs. Of 1912 with
England, he and the Senecas cast in
their lot with the United States. In
council md in secret service rather
than in fighting Red Jacket was Of ire
mendous assistance to the Govern
ment throug bout THAI conflict, though
his admirers claim that 10 the battle
near Fort George, ON the Niagara
boundary line, in 1913, be did aliaut
work.
La spite Of all these proofs 81 devo-
ton to the Government he hated all
white men. Had he been able he would
gladly have rid the land VI them. Ne
could not be induced to embrace any
Of The habits OF civilization. He not
only refused TO become christian but
was the sworn enemy of the missiona-
riss who were sent to bis people.
To The last he held to the old relig-
lon, dress language and ways Of his
savage ancestors, and strove to pre-
vent bis followers from adopting
waite mems customs. The only
caange be himself made from the
primitive Indian life was In learning
to drink whiskey.
Red Jacket was as wise as ne was
eowardIy. He foresaw that ssop or late
the once-powerful Indians would be
crushed under the advance Of Progress
and would be utterly driven from the
hunting grounds of their fathers.