OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 563 Today's Topics: #1 Chapter 1 - Abbot's History of Ohi ["Maggie Stewart" To: OH-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <003b01beda43$c50ed460$cd4f5f18@columbus.rr.com> Subject: Chapter 1 - Abbot's History of Ohio Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Kay L. Mason kkmason@shianet.org transcriber *************************************************************************** CHAPTER ONE The Great Valley It was at midnight of the 11th of October, 1492, when Columbus, from the bows of his ship, discovered a light which revealed to him, and to Europe, a new world. The morning dawned serene and lovely, and the islands of the West Indies were opened before him in Eden-like luxuriance and beauty. It was not until four years after this, in 1496, that the Continent of North America was discovered, by an English navigator, Sebastian Cabot. Gradually a new understanding arose, among the European powers, that any portion of the new world, discovered and taken possession of by expeditions from any court in Europe, should be recognized as belonging to that kingdom. This rule was not difficult as application in reference to an island. But on the continent, stretching our through unknown limits of thousands of miles, it was not easy to decide the boundaries which were to be attached to a spot upon which a seaman's eye had rested. The Spaniards landed on the extreme southern part of the continent, which they called Florida, in consequence of the bloom (Father Mar- quette's picture) which they found spread around them in marvelous loveliness. But what were the limits of Florida, no one could pretend to tell. No one knew whether if was fifty miles of five thousand miles on the west, across to the Pacific Ocean. And there was no mountain, or river, or imaginary line, upon the north, definitely to bound their claim in that direction. The French, in 1525, took possession of the immense valley of the St. Lawrence, giving the river that name, as they entered it on that saint's day. They claimed the country to the Pacific on the west, how ever near of remote those waters might be, and to the Pole on the north. Sebastian Cabot, at the head of an English expedition, cruised along the coast from the region of Florida, to the vicinity fo the St. Law- rence, catching occasional glimpses of the land; and England claimed the whole region, by the right of discovery. It was all called Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth, the virgin Queen of England. Of course the north- ern and southern boundaries were entirely indefinite. The Dutch after- wards discovered the Delaware River and the Hudson, landed upon the shores of the latter stream, took possession of them in the name of Holland, planted their colonies there, and claimed the territory under the title of discovery and settlement. The French, having discovered the region called Canada, and having established flourishing colonies there, also discovered the mouth of the Mississippi, which, with its innumerable tributaries, meanders through the richest and the most magnificent valley on this globe. It seems hardly proper to call a realm a valley, when it extends over thousands of miles in length and breadth, covering an area, surpassing many of the kingdoms of Europe united, capable of supporting a popula- tion of hundreds of millions, and embracing majestic forests, and lux- uriant prairied, such as the sun nowhere else shines upon. The French Catholics had established a mission, for the instruction of the Indians, at a point which they called St. Mary's, near the outlet of Lake Superior. There was a very remarkable man at the head of this mission, by the name of James Marquetts. He was apparently an earnest Christian, an enthusiastic admirer of the beauties of nature, and in all respects, a man of true heroic mould. He resolved to ex- plore the Mississippi from its upper waters. He repaired to an Indian village on the Fox River, which flows into Green Bay. He had already selected his companions for the enterprise, which was apparently full of difficulty and peril. They consisted of a French gentleman, who would be his congenial companion, five hardy and experienced Canadian boatmen, and two Indians as guides through the wilderness which no white man, as yet, had ever penetrated. For this party of nine, with all their needful stores of guns, ammunition, cooking utensils, and blankets, setting out on an expedition, which must occupy, at the shortest, several weeks, they took two birch canoes. Their food they expected to find mainly in such game as they might shoot by the way. Marquette had such faith in the protection of God, and in the friendliness of the Indians, whom he might meet by the way, that he seems to have had no fears of any hostile encounters. It was a lovely summer morning, the 10th of June, 1673, when the party set out from Fox River. They carried the canoes upon their shoulders, over a portage of many miles through the wilderness, led by their Indian guides. It was an excursion of pleasure. The weather w was delightful, the scenery enchanting, ever opening new views of beauty. The loads they bore were not oppressive, and they were all in health and vigor, and at home n the varied emergencies of encampments. Having reached the Wisconsin River, they launched their canoes upon its placid waters. For nearly a month they were paddling down this beautiful stream, a distance of five hundred miles, before they entered the majestic flood of the Father of Waters. They seem to have found the voyage delightful in the extreme. There were fished in abundance in the river, and there was game of the greatest variety and in profusion on the banks. Their dining room was canopied by the over-arching skies, and their table was spread with every luxury of game which hungry pioneers could desire. At night they drew their boats ashore, and if the weather was pleasant, with the green sod for their bed, wrapped in blankets or furs, enjoyed that uninterrupted sleep, which is on of the richest of earth's enjoyments. The Psalmist understoof this when he said: "He giveth His beloved sleep." Should the weather chance to be tempestuous, with floods of rain and moaning winds, the storm was easily anticipated. Paddling rapidly along the stream, they would select some picturesque and sheltered nook, and, in a short time would rear a cabin impervious to wind and rain. Many hands make quick work. Like magic the cabin would rise be- neath the hatchets of these experienced pioneers of the wilderness. Thatched and lined with overlapping plates of bark, it would afford perfect protection against the violence of the storm. With the camp entirely open on the lee side, the floor carpeted with robes of fur, and a cheerful fire blazing in front, men, capable of enjoying such scenes, could luxuriate in the sublimity of almost any storm, which might shake the forest. No country inn, no palatial city hotel, could offer a more enjoyable retreat from the tempest. Neither did their seasons of rest pass in any weariness of monot- ony. Such men are not disturbed in their employments by any ordinary rain. There were fishes to be caught from the stream which flowed past their door. There was game to be taken, and it was to be found within a few rods of their camp fire. There were garments to be repaired; and not a little time was spent in feasting upon the deli- cate viands which they knew so well how to cook. When the clouds broke and passed away, and the sun came again came out in all its glory, they would joyfully resume their heroic voyage, almost re- gretting to leave a home where they had found so much happiness. On the 7th of July they entered the Mississippi River. It was here, a broad, rapid stream,-clear as crystal. Marquette writes that when he first caught sight of this wonderful river, flowing from the unknown into the unknown, he experienced emotions of joy which no language could express. It was easy to be borne down by the current of this majestic flood, but to paddle back, against the tide, would try the muscles even of the hardiest men. Still the voyagers pressed on. It was indeed a fairy scene which now spread before them. Here bold bluffs, hundreds of feet high, jutted out into the river. Here were crags, of stupendous size, and of every variety of form, often reminding one of Europe's most picturesque stream, where "The castled crage of Drachenfels Frown o'er the wide and winding Rhine." Again, the prairie would spread out its ocean-like expanse, em- bellished with groves, garlanded with flowers of gorgeous colors wav- ing in the summer breeze, checkered with sunshine and the shade of the passing clouds, with roving herds of the stately buffalo and the graceful antelope. And, again the gloomy forest would appear, exten- ding over countless leagues, where bears, wolves, and panthers found a congenial home. Having descended the river nearly two hundred miles, they came to an Indian trail leading back into the country, and so well trodden as to give evidence that a powerful tribe was near. It speaks well for the Indians-for the reputation which they then enjoyed-that Marquette, with his French companion, M. Joliet, far away in the wilderness, seven hundred miles from any point which a white man's foot had ever before trod, should not have hesitated alone to enter this trail to search out the habitations of this unknown tribe. They left all their companions with the canoes on the bank of the river. For six miles they followed the narrow track, when they came in sight of a large Indian village. It was on the open plain, so that the Indians saw them approaching when at quite a distance. They knew, of course, that two strangers, unarmed, could not be advancing with any hostile intent. Four of the patriarchs of the village immediately came forward bearing a pipe of peach, which was highly ornamented with brilliantly colored plumes. As these chiefs drew near, they saw to their surprise and delight that the strangers were pale faces. Though none of them had ever before seen a white man, the knowledge of his arrival had spread widely through all the tribes. The French had pursued such a course of justice and friendliness with the Indians that wherever they went they were hospitably received. One of these gentlemen of the barbarian school, as he led the guests into his cabin, spread out his hands to them invitingly and said: "How beautiful is the sun, Frenchmen, when it shines upon you as you come to visit us. Our whole village greets you with a welcome. You shall find a home in all our dwellings." The strangers were entertained with the utmost hospitality. As they were about to take their leave, a venerable chief approached Marquette, and suspending by a cord a richly decorated pipe about his neck, said: "This is the sacred calumet. It signifies that wherever you bear it you are messengers of peach. All our tribes will respect it, and will protect you from every harm." (Death of Marquette) We can not record this friendly reception without emotion. How beautiful is peace! How different would the history of this world have been but for man's inhumanity to man. On reaching their boats, the little band of voyagers resumed their journeying down the river. They floated by the mouths of the turbid, Missouri and the beautiful Ohio, carefully observing their positions, but making no attempt to ascend either of the streams. The Ohio was then, and for some years after, called the Wabash. Still they floated on, several hundred miles farther, until they reached the mouth of the Arkansas. Here again they found a large In- dian village, and they were received by the natives with the same hospitality which had marked their intercourse with the Indians during the whole of the route. They now reascended the majestic stream, and instead of continuing their upward course to the Wisconsin River, these bold explorers en- tered the Illinois River, and again reached Green Bay by way of Lake Michigan. They had been absent two months. During this time the devoted missionary had lost no opportunity of proclaiming to the Indians the Christian's God, and the way of salvation through faith in an atoning Savior. Even then Marquette had no adequate conception of the true grandeur of that valley he had entered, extending from the Allegheny ridges to the Rocky Mountains. Still, when the tidings of his wonderful discov- eries reached Quebec, the exciting intelligence was received with the ringing of bells, with salvos of artillary, and most prominent and important of all, by nearly the whole population, led by the clergy and other dignitaries of the place, going in procession to the cath- edral, where the Te Deum was sung, and high mass was celebrated. Soon after this Marquette died. For several years the great river flowed through its vast solitude unexplored and unvisited. Five years after this, in 1678, another French gentleman by the name of LaSalle, attempted the exploration of the Mississippi. He was as enthusiastic, courageous and enterprising as his predecessor. It is said that the King of France had offered him the monopoly of the fur trade in all the new regions which he might explore, and had also furnished means to fit out an expedition to explore the Mississippi to its mouth. LaSalle, with a brave Italian officer by the name of Tonti, sailed from Rochelle, in France, on the 14th of June, 1678. He was furnished with a ship well armed and supplied. Upon his arrival in Canada, he built a vessel upon Lake Erie, called the Griffin, which was the first craft, larger than a birch bark canoe, which had ever been launched upon those waters. With a crew of forty men he sailed to Mackinaw, where he purchased of the Indians a very rich cargo of furs. He spent his all in the purchase, but the furs were so valuable that the sale would make him immensely rich. The vessel was lost and LaSalle was ruined. -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V99 Issue #563 *******************************************