Evening star., 1909-05-29
Brant, Chief of the Six Nations.

A statue to Joseph Brant. principal
chief and warrior of the ST.. nations dur
ing the latter part of the eighteenth cen
tury, was erected in 1886 at Brantford,
Ontario, by his fellow-subjects, ad-
mirers of his fidelity and attachment to
the British CROWN" SO reads the statue
inscription.
Brant's Indian name was Thayendane-
gea. He was a full-blooded Mohawk, and
not half-breed as has been represented,
the son of an Englishmen. He was
born inv 114O and at the age of thir-
teen he fell under the notice of Sir Will
liam johnson. the superintendent of In
dian affairs for the British government,
who sent him and his sister Mary to DR..
Wheelock's Charity School at Lebanon,
Conn. He there not only became familiar
verted to Christianity, joined the Epis-
copal Church, became minister and set
tied at Canajoharie, n. Y, as a mission
ary among the Mohawks, but fate had
other work for him to perform, and in
1863 he became soldier under Sir Will
liam johnson. and fought with great dis
tinction against Pontiac and other re-
bellious chiefs. He visited England in
1115, where he was received with great
ceremony and lionized by all classes. AT
the outbreak of the revolution he received
a commission as colonel in the British
army. organized the Indians against the
colonists, and was the leader in several
of the massacres and guilty of many
barbarities. After the treaty of peace in
1883 he retired from the service on halt
pay and obtained grant of land in On
tario, along the Grand river. where he
founded the town and settled down with
the remnant of the Mohawk tribe. There,
until his death. he devoted his life to
the Improvement of his people, teaching
them the gospel and looking after their
moral and physical welfare. He trans
lated the prayer book and parts of the
New Testament into his native tongue,
and he planned to write history of the
Six Nations which was never accom-
plished. however. In 1855 he again visited
England. where he was received with
the greatest honors. introduced into the
best society and presented at court.
While there he secured sufficient funds
with which to build church for his peo-
pie-the first Episcopa! church ever erect
ed in upper Canada. His last days were
spent or iIs estate at the head of Lake
n:.,ario-a gift from the king-upon
which he built large residence. and here
resided with him his youngest son, John,
who afterward became chief, and a
daughter, elizabeth. who married William
Johnson Kerr. grandson of Sir William
Johnson. while his wife preferred the
simple life of the savage and dwelt with
the tribe in the Indian village~at Grand
river. The last survivor of the Rrant
children was Catherine B. r-unson, who
died at Wellington c4uare. Canada. in
1857.
Osceola, Greatest Of the Seminoles.
Osceola. the great chief OF the Semi
noles. who fought Gen. Jackson in F'lori-
da with such stubborn ability. lies buried
within an inclosure at the entrance OF
Fort Moultrie, near Charleston. g. C. He
was buried where he died January 2n
1888. There has always beer contro-
versy over Osceola's ability and charac-
ter. Some writer's have represented him
10 be a coward and knave: others have
made him the greatest of chiefs, the
ablest OF counselors and bravest of war
riOrS. He was born on the CnattahoOches
river in Georgia in 1904. He was not a
lishman named William Powell, and his
mother a Greek of the Red Stick tribe
He was taken by his mother to Florida a,
| the age of four years, and 10y his force
Of character, early attained prominence
among the SeminOes. He vas slender
we'll formed, muscular, an excellent tacti
clan and great admirer of c:ier and dis
cipline, having become versed In miyitar,
movements among his white neignbors
His manner was bold and impressive
encourage the brave. The Seminole war
of 1885 was largely instigated by him.
both on account Of personal affronts anC
in resistance of American encfoachments
the beginning of the war the Seminoles
numbered 1000 men. but In June. 1915
with seventy y-nine men. he precipitated
the battle of Outhlacoochee. III this figh,
Osceola, dressed in his red belt and
feathered headdress. sheltered himself be-
hind a big tree, occasionally stepping out
to level his rife and bringing down g
man at every shot 1t took several vol
leys from the whole platoon to d slodg.
him. and the tree was literally shot to
pieces. Osceola. after the battle. mad ar
interview with Gen. Gaines in relation
to terms of peace. The general told him
to move TO the south of the Ou.thlacce-
chez and hold himself ready to attend a
council when called, and they would not
be disturbed. He was attacked near Fort
Drane, and had it not been for faith
full spy Osceola would have been taken
prisoner Making a ne row escape. he
met Gen. Call at Wahoo in q sharp fight
| in which the American army was badly
| handled. Osceolas severe blows in that
contest still made him master. though the
report was circulated that he had been
deposed for cowardice. When Gen. Jes-
sup. certain that the war was at an end
called upon Osceola to bring his mel ir
for removal. the lattre broke up his plans