The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-12-26

band OF traders. Having entered the
fort, the blankets were to be cast
aside, the gates thrown open to a
larger body Of hidden Indians. and the
defenseless English garrison and
townsfolk massacred.
A Massacre That Failed.
But an Indian girl had whispered
the secret to the commandant OF the
garrison. So. when Pontiac stalked
into the Enclosure, he found the walls
bristling with armed and prepared
soldiers. 1t was venture on which
hung his entire career: perhaps the
whole future OF Americas colonists.
And the trick had failed. Yet Pom
tlac's heavy copper-colored features
showed no disappointment as he calm.
ly stalked out again at the head OF his
bafIled followers and proceeded to lay
siege to the place.
Pontiac was born on the Ottawa
river. Canada, in 1920. He early be-
came chief OF the Ottawa. ojlbway
and Pottawattomie tribes. France rul-
ed Canada. in those days. The north
ern Indians loved the French. The
English never had the knack Of get
ting on with the savages. But the
French had. Hence, while the In
dians were forever fighting the Eng.
lish, they were almost always
Frances loyal friends. When, in 1916.
the French garrison at Detroit was
threatened. Pontiac and his braves
rescued the fort from peril In 1855.
when the British general, Braddock.
Numbered into a French and Indian
! death-trap near Pittsburgh, Pontiac is
said to have led the Indian section of
the attack.
Then, in 1860, when the French lost
Canada to the English. New Hamp-
shire oficer-Major Rodgers-march-
troit to take possession OF that fort.
Four hundred Indians lay in ambush
to destroy the troops. Pontiac per-
suaded the 400 lurking savages TO
give up the idea OF attack. Then he
met the coloniss and escorted them
safely to Detroit. He was prepared
to be the Englishmen's friend. But
the colonists did not treat him as he
thought so great chief ought TO be
treated. His friendship turned to
hate. He plotted to destroy every
Englishman in the west.
The Great Conspiracy.
The Indians have seldom stood to-
getber in any strong or permanent
confederation. Yet such was Pontiac's
] genius that he combined numbers OF
tribes into one mighty league against
the English. He mapped out fine
plan OF campaign. There were L. i'm.
poriant frontier forts he'd by TIC
colonists. Pontiac arranged that at
certain date each OF these forts was
to be attacked and destroyed andrtho
surrounding country ravaged. He him.
self moved against Detroit. The In,
dian girls treason 70 her people saved
that fort from surprise. Pontiac then
besieged Detroit. But Indians have
not the knowledge to conduct long
siege. When once the Detroit garri
son sailed forth against Pontiac's
camp. the colonial troops were driver
back again with terrific loss of life
But Pontiac was forced to give up the
siege This wrecked his whole plar
OF conquest. For. though the Indians
captured eight OF the twelve forts ant
spread terror throughout the western
settlements. yet Detroit had been thu
key to the whole situation. And Pom
tiac's failure to capture that strong
hold had lost for him the trust o
many Of his followers. Some of tn,
tribes deserted. The confederation
fell to pieces The war dragged Of
until 1865. Then treaty was slgne'
with the English, an Pontiac becam
outwardly peaceable again. TIL
great conspiracy. had failed Befor
another could Re formed n Kaskaski
; Illinois Indian. in 1863 was bribed b.