The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-08-11


ing and spectacular events in American history
This was the re-enactment Of the Indian ball
game played outside the walls of Fort Michili-
mackinac on June 4, 1853, a ball game which
ended in swift tragedy that cost the lives of
more than score of white men. The occasion
for the re-enactment of this game was the dedi-
cation by Governor Comstock Of Michigan of
replica of the little palisaded fort that once
stood on the present site of Mackinaw City, the
forerunner of later forts in the Mackinac region
over which, during the three centuries of its his
tory, have flown the flags of three nations.
The tragedy which took place at Fort Michili-
mackinac 40 years ago was one of the events
in the larger drama Of the conspiracy Of Pom
tiac the famous chief of the Ottawa Indians,
to drive the hated English into the sea-" Pom
taos plan a simultaneous uprising of the
confederated tribes, the swift capture of all the
forts in the West, the massacre of their gar
risons and a general attack the frontier
settlements. and he all but succeeded In his am
bilious plan
Because of its location on the south side of
the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron
and Lake Michigan, Michilimackinac for more
than a century had been one of the most i'm
portant outposts of the frontier. Connected with
its early history are the names of Jean Nicolet,
Radsson, Groselliers, Joliet, Perot, La Sale,
Father Allouez and Father Marquette who
founded the Mission Of ST. Ignace nearby in
1911. Two years later it selected by the
French as the site for fort and from that
time until 1859, when France lost her empire
In America to England, the flag of France foated
over fortress of one kind or another at Mich
imacknac. In 1853 it was garrisoned by some
25 British officers and soldiers under the COM
mand of Capt. George Burlington. Grouped
around the little fort were the homes of num-
Der of French and English traders and 1t was
some of the former who first gave the COM
mander hint of the tempest that was brewing
among the Indians.
But Ethrington disregarded their warnings,
even going so far as to threaten to send as a
prisoner to Detroit the next person who should
disturb the inhabitants of the place with such
evil tidings. The final warning. and one which
he should have needed even If he had dsre-
garded the others, came from Alexander Henry,
an English trader who had been adopted as
"son, brother and friend" by Wawatam, Chip
pewa chief.
Henry, one of the survivors of the massacre,
has left us an interesting account of the events
leading up to the tragedy and of the massacre
ITSELF of which he was an eyewitness 1t fol-
lows in part:
ION the second of June 'Wawatam came to my
house in temper of mind visibly melancholy
and thoughtful He told me that he had just re-
turned from his wintering- ground and asked
after his health; but without answering my
question he went on to say that he was very
sorry to find me returned from the Sault; that
he had intended to go to that place himself, i'm
mediately after his arrival at Michilimackinac:
and that he wished me to go there along with
him and his family the next morning.
ITO all this he joined inquiry whether or
not the commandant had heard bad news, adding
that during the winter he had himself been dis
turbed with the noise of evil birds; and further
suggesting that there were numerous Indians
near the fort many of whom had never shown
themselves within it. Wawatam about forty
five years of age of an excellent character among
his nation, and chief.
referring much of what heard to the pc
culiarities of the Indian character did not pay
all the attention which they will be found to
have deserved to the entreaties and remarks of
my visitor l answered that could not think Of
going to the Sault so after the arrival of
nv clerks Finding himself unable to prevail
with me- he withdrew for that day; but early
the next morning he came again, bringing with
him his wife and present of dried meat. At
this interview after stating that he had several
packs OF beaver, for which he intended to deal
with me- he expressed a second time his appre-
tensions from the numerous Indians who were
around the fort and earnestly pressed me to
consent to an immediate departure for the Sault.
"As reason for this particular request, he as
sured me that all the Indians proposed to come
I'm body that day to the fort to demand liquor
OF the commandant, and that he wished me to