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As he appeared when be became Gnmt'a Military Secretary. 



V 



THE LIFE OF 



GENERAL ELY S. PARKER 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS AND 
GENERAL GRANT'S MILITARY SECRETARY 



BY 

ARTHUR C. PARKER 

STATI ARCHABOLOOirr OP MBW YORK 



• - V 






BUFFALO. KBW TOBK: 
vnusBBD ar tbb 

BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

1919 






• • • •• t ••• 
-1 • • • • • . 

. • • :. 



BAKER, JONES, HAUSAUER, INC. 

PRINTERS AND BINDERS 

BUFFALO, N. Y. 



OFFICERS OF THE 

BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

1919 



HoNOBABT Pbxbsdwt, ANDREW LANGDON. 

Fbbbidbnt, HoK. HENRY W. HILL. 

VicaB-PRvsiDBNT, CHARLES R. WH^ON. 

dBCBBTABT-TBBASUBEB, .... FRANK H. SEVERANCE. 

BOARD OF MANAGERS 

Term expiring Jamutry, 1990 

Albsrt H. Bbiqgb, M. D., Lbb H. Smith, M. D., 

John G. Wigksbb, Edwabd S. Hawlbt, 

William A. Galpin. 

Term expiring January ^ 1921 

HowABD H. Basbr, Db« G. Hxtntbb Babtlbtt, 

G. Babbbtt Rich, Henbt W. Spraoub, 

William Y. Wabbbn. 

Term expiring January, 192$ 

Hon. Hbnbt W. Hill, Henbt R. Howland, 

Gbobgb R. Howabd, Chablbs R. Wilbon, 

Evan Holubtbb. 

Term expiring January, 192S 

Andbew LangdoNi LoBAN L. Lewis, Jb., 

Fbanx H. Sbtbbancb, Geobge A. Stbinqbb, 

CABim>N R. Pbbbinb. 



4^)^249 



LIST OF THE 

PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY 



FEOM ITS OBQANIZATEON TO THB PBRBBNT TIMB 



*MlLLABD FiLLMOBB, 1862 tO 1867 

♦Hbnbt W. Roqsbs, 1868 

*Rbv. Albest T. Chestbr, D. D 1869 

^Obsamttb H. Mabshall, 1870 

♦Hon. Nathan K. Hall 1871 

♦William H. Gbsbnb, 1872 

*Oblani>o Allen, 1873 

♦Ouvbb G. Steele, 1874 

♦Hon. Jameb Sheldon, 1875 and 1886 

♦William C. Bbtant, 1876 

♦Capt. E. P. DoBB, 1877 

♦Hon. William P. Letchwobtb, 1878 

♦William H. H. Newman, 1879 and 1885 

♦Hon. Elias S. Hawlbt, 1880 

♦Hon. James M. Smith, 1881 

♦William Hodge, 1882 

♦William Dana Fobes, 1883 and 1884 

♦Emmob Haines, 1887 

♦Jambs Tillenqhast, 1888 

♦William E. Allen, 1889 

♦Gbobgb S. Hazabd, 1890 and 1892 

♦Joseph C. Gbebnb, M. D., 1891 

♦Julius H. Dawes, 1893 

Andbbw Lanqdon, 1894 to 1909 

Hon. Hbnbt W. Hill, 1910 — 



PREFACE 

'T^HIS volume is in the main a narrative of Indian life, by 
"^ an author who, perhaps because of his own Indian 
ancestry, perhaps because of his family associations and his 
peculiar educational equipment, is better qualified to pre- 
sent the red man's case from the red man's viewpoint, than 
could any chronicler of purely Caucasian blood. The why 
and wherefore of the case really matters little. The essen- 
tial and important thing is, that we have here a study of 
Iroquois life and character from the pen of one who is not 
merely exceptionally well-informed in his subject, but who 
treats it with an inborn, native sympathy and certainty of 
interpretation. 

It is a fine thing, a happy thing, to be able to picture for 
the reader of to-day, the home life and social status and rela- 
tions of a typical though perhaps exceptionally endowed 
Seneca family. The Parker family, judged by inherent qual- 
ities, would have been notable in any community. Fortu- 
nately, where the white strain came in, it came from clean, 
honest, capable stock. Who that knew her, or knows only 
by tradition and record, of Martha Hoyt, devoted missionary 
to the Senecas when Buffalo was near its beginnings, would 
question that in taking her to wife, Nicholson Parker, the 
Seneca, found a helpmate as loyally devoted to his people 
as though she were of their race. In the long record of white 
and Indian deaUngg, usually so full of fraud and iniquity, of 
wrong and evil of every sort, it is refreshing to find an instance 
like this. 

Mr. Parker's sketch of his great-uncle is, obviously and 
successfdUy, an attempt not merely to trace that worthy's 
creditable and unique career, but to do justice to his memory, 






Vm PRBTACB 

and through him, to his people. But our author does much 
more than this. He pictures old-time conditions known for 
the most part only to the Indians themselves. He shows 
that the Senecas on their reservations had better standards 
of living — remembering their ancestral forms and traditions 
— ^than were held to by many of their white neighbors. Now 
and then — as in Mrs. Laura Parker Doctor's recollections of 
her grandmother — he gives us a glimpse of more remote 
days, which is like the recovery of a lost page of history. 

Of the author of this volume, the editor may say in his 
Preface what Mr. Parker could not — or would not — say for 
himself. To a large circle of students his work has made him 
so well known that any sketch of it would be superfluous; 
but there are others, into whose hands this book will come, 
who may be grateful for some glimpse of the personality and 
achievements of our author. 

Arthur Caswell Parker was bom on the Cattaraugus 
Seneca reservation April 5, 1881. His father, Frederick, a 
graduate of Fredonia Normal School, is a son of the late 
Nicholson Henry Parker, for many years Secretary of the 
Seneca Nation. Nicholson H. Parker was a brother of 
General Ely Samuel Parker, Grant's Military Secretary and 
the co-worker with Lewis H. Morgan in writing ''The 
League of the Iroquois.'' The mother of Arthur C. Parker 
was Geneva H. Griswold, of Scotch and English descent. 
She was a teacher for five or six years on the Allegany and 
Cattaraugus reservations. 

Mr. Parker's grandfather's grandfather was Handsome 
Lake, the Seneca prophet. His paternal grandfather six 
generations back was Old King or Old Smoke (Gaiengwatoh), 
the supposed leader of the Senecas at Wyoming, Pa., and the 



PEBFACB iZ 

friend of the Rev. Samuel KirUand. The great-grandmother 
of Mr. Parker was a descendant of a Neuter captive and a 
lineal descendant of Jigonsaseh, "the Peace Queen" of the 
Neuters. She, with Haiowentha and Dekanawida, was a 
founder of the Iroquois League. Nicholson Parker's sister, 
Caroline, was given this name, Jigonsaseh, as a right of heri- 
tage. She was the wife of Chief John Mountpleasant of 
the Tuscaroras. 

Arthur C. Parker was educated in the reservation schoob, 
in White Plains (N. Y.) High School, and in Dickinson Sem- 
inary; and later studied under Frederic W. Putnam, Peabody 
Prof essor of Anthropology at Harvard University, then Cura- 
tor of Anthropology in the American Museum in New York 
City. 

In 1904 he made contributions of folklore manuscripts 
to the State Library of New York. He previously, 1901- 
1902, had been a field assistant in archaeology for the Amer- 
ican Museum. In 1903 he was, with Mr. Raymond Harring- 
ton, jointly in charge of the Peabody Museum Archaeological 
expedition to Western New York. In 1906 he was appointed 
by the Civil Service Commission (after competitive examina- 
tion) as the Archaeologist of the New York State Museum 
which office he still holds. 

Mr. Parker has practicaDy created a new archaeological 
museum; he has installed special exhibits along new lines, 
and since his appointment has brought in collections of 
Iroquois material totaling about 50,000 specimens. The 
Iroquois habitat groups, which are a chief attraction of the 
New York State Museum, are of his conception and execution. 

The list of his principal writings, already a long one, will 
be found with the '^Editorial Notes" following the Appendix 



PKBPACB 



to this volume. Also^long is the list of his activities in various 
learned societies and other organisations. For four years he 
was the secretary-treasurer of the Society of American 
Indians, having been one of its organizers at Ohio State 
University. He is the founder and editor-general of the 
American Indian Magazine (Washington), formerly the 
Quarterly Journal of the Society of American Indians. He is 
a FeUow of the American Ethnological Society, the American 
Anthropological Society, the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science; and was one of ten American 
archaeologists appointed to represent the science of archae- 
ology at the Pan-American Congress. He is a member of the 
American Sociological Society, the Wisconsin Archaeological 
Society, a life member of the Bu£Falo Historical Society; 
founder and past president of the Society of American In- 
dians; founder and past president of the Philosophical Society 
of Albany; and active and distinguished in many another 
organization. By the University of Chicago he was awarded 
the Complanter medal, for research. He was the originator 
of "American Indian Day." It is an imposing and honorable 
list, not by any means exhausted in the foregoing enumera- 

■ 

Hon; but it is not the present purpose to forestall the encyclo- 
paedia. Let this suffice, with the following, which perhaps 
he alone, of all living scholars and loyal Americans, can say 
with pride and truth: 

''I am a Seneca Indian, whose ancestors from the b^;in- 
ning have been connected with our history — ^and all of whom 
have left an indelible impress upon our State and Nation." 

The Buffalo Historical Society feels justified in devoting 
this volume largely to a review of General Parker's career, 
for he was one of its most distinguished members — ^in a 



PRBFACB 



memberahip, we may be pardoned for recalling, which has in- 
cluded two Presidents of the United States, Cabinet officials, 
diplomats and others of high distinction. But the notability 
of Ely S. Parker was and is unique, for he embodied in his 
life and career the best traits of a race alwa3r8 imperfectly 
understood and usually unfairly judged by their white neigh- 
bors. He was a high type of the Iroquois in transition — a 
connecting link between the dayB of more primitive condi- 
tions and institutions, and a later period, woefully slow in 
coming, when the strong, good qualities of the Iroquois shall 
not only be recognized but encouraged by juster and more 
sympathetic social and governmental conditions. 

This volume, in its principal narrative and in its appen- 
dix, brings together numerous letters and other documents, 
many of them hitherto unpublished, of certain historical 
value. We commend it to our readers as by no means the 
least in interest and historical worth in the lengthening series 
of the Buffalo Historical Society Publications. 

F. H. S. 

Historical Building, Buffalo, Jime, 1919. 



CONTENTS 



Eduob's Pbbfagb, vii 

Attthob'b Introduction, 3 



I. The Measubb of the Man, 7 

II. The Valley of the Rapid Water, ... 12 

III. How the Senegas Made-^War Upon Great Britain, . 24 

IV. The Grand-dauqhtbr of the P&ophet, 40 

V. Boyhood Days on the Reservation, 50 

VI. The Way the Twig was Bent, 71 

VII. Lewis H. Morgan and the "New League of the 

Iroquois," 79 

VIII. Early Ezperienge as an Engineer and Masonic 

Career, 91 

IX. How Parker's Enustment was Refused by Secretary 

Seward, .99 

X. A Sachem Becomes a Warrior, 105 

XI. The Fall of the Confederacy, 117 

XII. The Indian in the Drama at Appomattox, . . . 129 

XIII. The Warrior After the War, 142 

XIV. An Indian Commissioner of Indian Affairs, . 150 

XV. A Sachem's Letters to a Poetess, 162 

XVI. The Gettysburg Speech of Grant's Military 

Secretary, 181 

XVII. The House of Brother Nicholson, 189 

XVIII. The Bones of Red Jacket, 202 

XIX. The Last Grand Sachem, 221 

APPENDIX 

A Visit to the Parker Homestead, 231 

The Boy who Dared to Travel West, 238 

Handsome Lake the Peace Prophet, 244 

The Religion of Handsome Lake, 251 

Ely S. Parker's School Days, 262 

"The American Red Man," 263 

"Traits of Indian Character," 270 

"Indian Dances and their Influences," 279 

Lbttbr of Ely S. Parker, on Laws Affbctino Indians, . . 286 

The Sachem at Chattanooga, 292 

How the Quakers Fought a Land Conspiracy, 296 

General Parker's Reply to Charges Against his Admin- 
istration, 304 

Secretary Seward's Interest in the Indians, 309 



• ■ ■ 



ZUl 



zir CONTENTS 

EDITORIAL NOTES 

PAoa 

The Kbnjockbttb, 313 

Was thb Slocum CAFrnvB a Pabkbb Angbstob? .... 317 

''A Pbofhxct FuLnUiED/' 320 

GxNEBAL Pabkeb's Namb, 320 

Thb MoTmrpuBAflANTB, 321 

Mbb. Habbdbt Maxwell Conyebse, 323 

"The Tbial of Red Jacket/' 325 

The Red Jacket Medal, 326 

Iboquois Adoption, 329 

Mb. Abthub C. Pabkeb'b WBinNas, 333 

Memobamda, 335 

Index, 337 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Elt S. Pabkeb as Gbant's Segbbtabt, . . FrorUi$pteoe 

Falls of the Tonawanda, Op. page 32 

Elt S. Pabkbb'b Pabentb, Op. " 40 

Old Fabbchoxibe, Tonawanda Resebvation, . . . Op. " 48 

Rbugs of Eablt Datb, Op. " 60 

Facbdulb fbom £. S. Pabxbb's Diabt, .... Op. " 76 

Lewis H. Mobqan, Op. " 80 

Cabounb G. Pabkeb, Op. " 88 

Gbant'b Hbadquabtkbs, 1864, Op. " 110 

Gbant and Staff, Cold Habbob, Va., 1864, . . . Op. " 128 

Gen. Pabkeb and Miss Sackbtt at Tdib of Mabbiage, Op. " 146 

Elt S. Pabkeb as Bbiqadieb Genebal, .... Op. " 162 

NiGHOi^oN H. Pabkeb and Wife, Op. " 188 

Fbbdebick E. Pabkeb and Abthub C. Pabkeb, . . Op. " 200 

Genebal Pabkbb's Home, Faibfibld, Conn., 1879, . Op. " 220 

Scene at Rebubial of Genebal Pabkeb, Buffalo, . Op. " 226 

Genebal Pabkeb in 1869 and in 1894, Op, ** 22S 

Handsobce Lake's Cbedentials, Op. " 250 

Nicholson Henbt Pabkeb, Op. " 262 

PoBTEB, Nicholson H. Pabkeb'b Lecttube, 1853, . . . Page 277 

Philip Kenjockett, Op. page 314 

John and Caboline Pabkeb Mountplbasant, . . Op. " 320 

"The Tbial of Red Jacket," Op. " 326 

The Red Jacket Medal, .... .^ .... Op. " 328 



THE LAST GRAND 

SACHEM OF THE 

IROQUOIS 



' . ' • 



•* 9 , 

»0 • „ *' 






• • 









. • •• 

•• • «•• ••• 



INTRODUCTION 



In a great steel vault in the New York State Museum 
there reposes a long purple wanmum belt. It is the record 
of a great sachemship, the title of the historic Iroquois 
Indian Confederacy. To the expert Indian annalist this 
'Woven belt of purple shell beads has a hidden meaning and 
preserves in its mysterious strands the story of the rulers 
of a mighty American Empire. 

Not every ** reader of the wampums'' would tell the same 
irtory as he handled that sacred belt, but each reader would 
undoubtedly tell his story with accuracy. Outlined in white 
beads made from the columella of the Busycon, five hexa- 
gons display themselves on that belt, each hexagon sym- 
bolizing the council of a nation in the confederacy of 
nations that formed the "Empire" of the Iroquois. The 
white beads are emblematic of purity, peace and integrity 
tmd teach those qualities to the nations. The dark purple 
beads, softly clicking as you handle the belt, and glittering 
in the light like the scales of a black snake's skin, symbolize 
royalty, dignity and determination that no adverse in- 
fluence can weaken. The name of that belt is Do-ne-ho- 
•ga-wa. That word means "The Door Keeper," and it is 
the title of the last national sachem in the roll of Iroquois 
.sachems. Ordinarily it is translated, to reveal its true 
significance, "The Keeper of the Western Door." Its 
'"holder" was the guard of the Confederacy, the sentinel 
before the door of the emblematic Long House of the Five 
Nations. 



4 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

For many years up to 1852, this belt was the seal of 
office, the badge of title, of Blacksmith, the Tonawanda 
Seneca sachem. Blacksmith died and at the condolence 
ceremony the Ho-ya-neh women of the fHve Nations in 
1852 confirmed the nomination of the nations of the Wolf 
clan and bestowed the title and name upon an Indian youth, 
named Ha-sa-no-an-da, or Ely Samuel Parker. From that 
time until his death in 1895 this man held the title. He 
was the sentinel-sachem of a crumbling empire and the last 
to use his office as his forefathers would have wished. 

It is as difficult to make a beginning of this true story as 
it is to end it. It has many beginnings. It is impossible 
to describe all of them for a shifting of the kaleidoscope 
will give us another view. Our plan is to reveal the manner 
of man this Indian was, and to analyze the elements that 
produced him. After all, in our contemplation of great 
men (or even lesser men after we have learned of their 
deeds), do we not search first for the secret of their success- 
ful efforts, and then review the results of those efforts, as 
a matter of secondary importance to usT After we have 
learned what a man has done, if we are ambitious, do we 
not then ask how he managed to do it, and why? Is it 
ancestry that makes the man, is it environment, or is it a 
combination of both with the individual determination to 
win? Perhaps herein at least may be found the solution 
to one man 's life effort 

An Indian boy became angry at the insults of an English 
lieutenant. It was not ordinary savage madness, but a 
choking anger that drained the blood from the boy's face 
and left him trembling and speechless. Then, with the 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 5 

return of the pulsing blood came hot tears and a resolution 
to revenge the insults of that English officer. 

The Indian boy was driving mules; the lieutenant was 
in charge of an outfit of horses, mules and drivers. As a 
first means of revenge the boy left his job and walked nearly 
a hundred miles. Then he went to school. His pride had 
been touched, it had awakened his slumbering spirit and 
his contemplated revenge was not to be of the ordinary 
kind. In his plan he had no desire to do injury to the 
English lieutenant. Indeed, in later years, he totally forgot 
the man who hurt his pride. There is pain in the birth of 
many emotions, but that natal pain, forgotten as real con- 
sciousness comes, indicates the creation of a new force that 
•dies or lives according to the creative power of its sire. 

This book is the story of the result of the resolution and 
will power that came when pride was awakened in Ha-sa> 
no-an-da, the Indian boy, and it tells how it brought to him 
a spirit and a determination that lived until the last drop 
of blood had been pumped from the chambers of his heart. 

Oreat resolutions are the result of strong emotions, and 
the struggle to attain those resolutions makes men. 

The Indian boy whom we have mentioned was the son of 
Jo-no-es-sto-wa, Dragon Ply, otherwise known as William 
Parker, a Tonawanda Seneca chief. Indians, though they 
use their native names among themselves, realize that they 
must have names that English-speaking people can pro- 
nounce and remember without difficulty. The Indian boy 
was therefore called Ely because everyone knew the dis- 
tinguished Mr. Ely of Rochester. 



6 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

It has for some time been the author's ambition to write 
the life of this man. For twenty years he has gathered the 
meager data that go into the make-up of this volume. A» 
a biographer of incident's the author confesses his failure;, 
the aim is not to write of events for the sake of recording 
history, but to mention events as the cause of action, and 
as the elements that went forth to determine the character 
of a man. There are many men whose lives are fiUed with 
countless thrilling incidents, but here is a man whose life 
is so strange in many of its phases as to be almost tragic. 
With ambitions constantly balked he rebelled not, but philo- 
sophically rose above his obstacles. No defeat was accepted 
as a blow, but as a lesson from which to profit. 



THE LAST GRAND SACHEM OF 

THE IROQUOIS 

OR 

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEN. ELY S. PARKER 



CHAPTER I 

THE MEASURE OP THE MAN 

In the character of Ely Samuel Parker we have a unique 
American. It is not entirely because he was a Seneca 
Indian of pure lineage, or that he was a citizen of the 
United States and a general in its army that he is called 
unique. He was indeed a successful and distinguished mili- 
tary officer in the Civil War and later a Federal official in 
civil service. Likewise, he was a successful sachem of the 
historic Iroquois League of the Five Nations, and for many 
years, its foremost defender. But the special honor that 
we wish to give him is that he is the only American Indian 
who rose to national distinction and who could trace his 
lineage back for generations to the Stone Age and to the 
days of Hiawatha. First and last he was an Iroquois. In 
any sense or viewpoint he was an American. There is a 
sense in which he was the first American of his time and an 
embodiment of all the heroic ideals that enter into our 
conception of American manhood. 

His life is the story of a man 's struggle against adversity 
— of an effort to achieve; but he was a warrior as well as 
a statesman and found honest philosophy in the fight. How- 
ever we may look at him, we must not lose sight of the fact 



Z LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

that he was a red man, a native product of the soil. It is 
not especially because we wish to emphasize race differences, 
but because we are writing hifltory. 

There hare been many heroic figures in the annals of the 
American Indian — dignity, poise and natiye wisdom com- 
bined with intense patriotism have characterized these 
superb men whose history we know but know so imper- 
fectly. American history would lose the peculiar luster of 
its early pages without such names as Philip of Pokanoet, 
Powhatan, King Hendrick, Captain Brant, Tecumseh, 
Dekanisora, Oarangula, Black Hawk, Pontiac, Osceola, Red 
Jacket, and Logan. 

We know these men by names, we know something of 
their achievements; but what produced themV Who were 
their sires, their mothers, and what is their background in 
heredity? We cannot answer. 

How grateful we would be to know the genealogy of that 
incomparable hero, Tecumseh, that nobleman of the forest, 
that fiery patriot, that fighter for his people ! We should 
welcome the insight into the knowledge of the forces that 
produced him ; but the curtain is drawn and we may never 
know. 

The great men of the red race did not vanish with 
Tecumseh and Osceola. They continued tx) appear and 
even now, in this modem day, there are red men whose 
names are indelibly written in the records of this nation; 
but among the American Indians of the last century none 
perhaps rose to the height of Ely Samuel Parker, this 
Sachem of the Senecas. Of pure Indian lineage on both 
sides, both history and tradition unite in affording us a 
glimpse of his forefathers and mothers who lived in the 
generation before him. We may know his ancestral setting 
and the hereditary forces that produced him. In this, then, 
he is unique. 

When James P. Kelly, the sculptor of military men, had 
General Parker in his studio in New York, posing for his 



LAST GEAND SACHEM OF THE IMOQUOIS 9 

bust at tbe request of Mr. Kelly's mother, the sculptor 
remarked, '^Oeneral Parker, in my estimation you are the 
most distinguished Indian who ever lived/' 

''That is not so," was the laconic reply. ''Better and 
wiser red men lived before me and now live. ' ' 

"Who are they t" asked the sculptor. 

The Indian looked at him curiously and flashed back, 
^ ' Can it be that you fail to recall Brant and Tecumseh, both 
military men, and a host of others t" 

"Ah, General," saiji Mr. Kelly, as he worked on the 
plastic clay, " I see you have not caught my meaning. I do 
not intend to flatter you ; I would not stoop to that — I mean 
that you are a man who has 'pierced the enemy's lines.' 
You have torn yourself from one environment and made 
yourself the master of another. In this you have done 
more for your people than an^ other Indian who ever 
lived. Had you remained with j^our people, and of your 
people alone, you might have been a Red Jacket, a Brant 
or a Tecumseh, but by going out and away from them you 
added to the honor that you already had and won equal, 
if not greater, honors among the white people. You proved 
what an Indian of capacity could be in the white mcui's 
world. The heroes you name did not. We have no way of 
measuring their capacity in. our own standards. We do 
not even know exactly what they said ; their speeches were 
all translated by interpreters. But we know what you have 
said as we know what you have done, and that measured by 
our own ideals." 

"That may be true," answered the Oeneral to the 
sculptor, "but why should you test the capacity of the red 
man's mind in measures that may have an improper scale f 
Do you measure cloth with a balance or by the gallon t" 

It was Mr. Kelly's delight to draw out, in his ingenious 
way, the thoug)its of his many distinguished sitters. A 
large box filled with note-books of quarto size attest his 
genius, and from that box came the note-book that has 



10 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

given many valued facts about General Parker's army 
career. 

It always pained the General to have men discuss his 
achievements. The testimony of his many friends is that 
he almost never talked about what he had done, unless 
forced by circumstances. His ears were deaf to praise and 
adulation. 

In a confidential letter to Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse 
he wrote: 

**I am credited or charged by you with being 'great/ 
'powerful/ and finally crowned as *good.' Oh, my guardian 
genius, why should I be so burdened with what I am not 
now and never expect to be ! All my life I have occupied a 
false position. I have lost my identity and look about me in 
vain for my original being." 

Modesty is an attribute of true greatness, and General 
Parker in spite of his dislike of being ''talked about'' and 
his disavowal of having done exceptional things, is emi- 
nently deserving of the laurels of greatness. He was great 
because he was a man who labored unselfishly for his 
brother man. In this he was not unlike the great culture 
heroes of the famous Iroquois league, Ji*gon-sa-seh, De-ka- 
na-wi-da, and Hiawatha, who in the misty centuries before, 
had established the Iroquois Empire State and created a 
government that in its day ruled half of North America. 
Each of these great personages about whom have clustered 
many invented tales, was a living person and not a myth. 
Each was a great constructive force and each was modest 
and unassuming. 

Ely S. Parker was a descendant of Ji-gon-sa-seh, the 
Great Woman, **the mother of nations." His sachemship 
name was Do-ne-ho-ga-wa, and bearing that name, by right 
of descent, he held the honored oflSce of "Keeper of the 
Western Door" of the historic "Long House of the 
Iroquois." 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS \\ 

Colden, Hale and Morgan have written well of the League- 
of the Five Nations of the Iroquois, and the strength of 
the League in its glory is well known to historians. Suffice 
for us to say that it had a strongly centralized constitu- 
tional government, ruled by fifty hereditary ho-ya-ne, or 
civil sachems. Its object was to establish universal peace 
and to make the Iroquois the arbiters of the great ^^earth- 
island." 

The wampum codes of De-ka-na-wi-da and his helper, 
Hiawatha, furnished an almost ideal code for the ethnic- 
culture with which it was designed to cope. By holding to^ 
their old laws the Iroquois became the dominant power east 
of the Mississippi and during colonial days exercised an 
immense influence in determining the fate of English civi- 
lization on the continent. As allies of the British they 
fought for it and in the end they destroyed all the hopes of 
France for colonization. They cast their lot with the 
British and at a critical period saved the Atlantic seaboard 
for an English^peaking people. 

From the beginning, the ancestors of Ely Samuel Parker 
had fought for progress and enlightenment and fought as 
strenuously with mind as with muscle. 



12 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 



CHAPTER II 

THE VALLEY OP THE RAPID WATER 

The story of this red man does not begin witb his birth. 
His race, his country, his ancestral and geographical 
rsetting, all have much to do with it These things all 
determined the beginning of the man. His birth only 
determined his individuality. To know the elements you 
must learn, as he learned, of the extirpated Neutral Nation 
and of the Tonawanda. 

The Neutral Nation (so called because it would war upon 
neither the Wyandots, Hurons, nor the Iroquois), was a 
populous trilbe, having many towns on the Niagara penin- 
-sula in Ontario and four or five villages in the region we 
now know as the Niagara frontier in New York. Their 
eastern boundary line was probably the Qenesee, and the 
western line probably Buffalo creek, though some say it 
extended to Eighteen-mile creek. To the west of their 
dominion in New York and stretching westward in Penn- 
sylvania, lay the land of the Eries. Near them were two 
sub-tribes, known as the Wenroes ^ and the Eah-Ewas. All 
these tribes were an industrious agricultural people, liv- 
ing in large palisaded towns with bark houses of consider- 
able size. They were expert hunters and skilled crafts- 
men in flint working and pottery making. Their pots and 
pipes were famous for their beauty and on the sites of their 
ancient towns the broken pieces of their cooking vessels may 
l>e found in enormous quantities. The Eries, the Neutrals 
and the Five Iroquois nations all belonged to the same 
cultural stock, known as the Huron-Iroquois. They spoke a 
<M)mmon stock language and had a common origin. Except 
in minor details their religion, their myths and traditions 



1. Wen-rob-ro-non, People-of-the floatlng-sciim. 



LAST OMAND SACHEM OF THE IMOQVOIS IS 

were the same. Their name for themselves was Ongwe-oweh, 
meaning Real Men. Thns every member of the Huron- 
Iroquois stock considered himself ' ' Oweh ' ' or truly human ;. 
other races were of '^uncertain origin." Certain it was the 
Iroquois creation myth did not account for them. Inasmuch, 
as they could imderstand each other's tongue and had com- 
mon traditions, they had more or less racial sympathy, but 
there were disputes over boundaries, and political rights 
that eventually brought trouble — and no enemies can be 
more bitter than those who have once been friends or who- 
as relatives have turned against each other. The Iroquoia 
for generations hated the Hurons because of their alliance 
with their enemies on the St. Lawrence, and so the Huron& 
and the Iroquois fought, but the Neutrals would fight 
neither, for in their tribe lived a woman who was a direct 
descendant of the ''sky mother'' who came to earth from 
heaven. Moreover, in their territory were the towns of 
refuge where enemies or fugitives might find dielter and 
where exiles might stay until the time came for them tcv 
return home for execution or for forgiveness. 

In 1651 the Iroquois charged the Neutrals with treachery 
and violation of the ancient compact. The first result was 
the capture and destruction of the Neutral town near tho^ 
present site of Buffalo. The tale was often related at the 
Parker fireside, for the old chiefs who came to feast and 
council with the grandfathers oft would tell how the war 
was pushed with all the customary energy of the Iroquois, 
and the Neutral Nation was speedily conquered. Hundreds 
of captives were brought into the Seneca towns and 
adopted. The Jesuit ''Black-robes" in 1669 had found 
some of their old Neutral converts in one of the Seneca 
towns in the present Ontario county, their records say. 

Students of history, especially Iroquois history, should 
have clearly in their minds that when the Iroquois ''exter- 
minated" or "annihilated" another tribe they did not 



14 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IS0QU0I8 

destroy the entire body of people. Quite the contpary^ 
surrender meant clemency and a subsequent adoption into 
the Iroquois clans. The warriors of the enemy who had 
fought fiercely were sometimes singled out for torture, it is 
true, but those who manifested their "good will'' toward 
the Iroquois by quietly submitting, were treated well. They 
became in a sense slaves, but their children were free-bom 
;and had every right of an Iroquois. 

One fact, too, that historians have neglected to appreciate, 
is that the Senecas often left little towns of their conquered 
Tassals and placed over them an Iroquois governor. There 
were several of these settlements west of the Genesee after 
the Neutral-Erie wars. It will be remembered that in 
later days Shikellamy was made governor of the oonqncred 
tribes in the Susquehanna valley. Many of the conquered 
Neutrals were not absorbed for several generations and as 
late as 1800 Sken-dyuh-gwa-dih or Beyond-the-multitude, 
whose Indian name had been anglicized to John Eenjockety, 
lived with his family on Kenjockety creek within the 
present limits of the corporation of Buffalo. Kenjockety 
was a Neutral and the fact was well known. His loyalty to 
his adopted people was intense, and Bev. Samuel Eiiidand, 
in 1788, called him "the second man of influence and char- 
acter among the Senecas at Buffalo." Kenjockety pro- 
tested to Governor (Jeorge Clinton in 1789, remonstrating 
against a sale of Seneca land which he deemed unauthor- 
ized. Later he was a joint agent with Red Jacket for the 
Senecas in determining the boundaries of the Seneca 
dominion, going with the Hon. Augustus Porter who sur- 
veyed for the State of New York, the Buffalo **gore." 

But if Kenjockety 's ancestors had escaped the arrows of 
the Senecas and the fiery torture, he did not escape the 
white man's fire-water. He died at an advanced age in 
1808 while on a spree. He had just been to Buffalo village, 
and, leaving town under the influence of liquor, died on 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 15 

the way home. He left numerous descendants and a farm 
on Squaw Island — and thus passed the last great Neutral 
to the quiet realiDs ''beyond the multitude." 

Opposite Grand Island on the American shore, is the 
mouth of a considerable stream. It rises in two branches, 
and flows with various windings westwardly and a little 
south, through a fertile region. It is the ** Swift water 
stream," Tonawanda creek. Tonawanda creek was the 
route of the mid-country trail from the Genesee country 
to Niagara. From time immemorial its valley had been 
occupied by forest dwellers of various tribes. Early it had 
been the home of mound-building Indians who journeyed, 
no doubt, up from the Niagara River. Indeed its mouth, 
being near the great falls, must have invited the visits of 
many aboriginal adventurers. In later centuries the 
Neutral Nations had claimed it and built their scattered 
villages on its pleasant banks. 

Some of the most interesting tales, told at the fireside of 
the Parker family in the old days, were these stories of the 
Neutral Nation and its destruction. One tale to which the 
writer as a boy listened wit^ great glee, told how a few 
young warriors had frightened an entire town of Neutrals 
and driven them into the forest after burning their bark 
houses and plundering their stores. Now and then old 
warriors of the Senecas would come in to smoke a pipe and 
listen to the tale the grandfather told, just to see that he 
was telling it right to his grandchildren. They would all 
nod and say, ''Heh!" to show their interest when he told 
of the little band of Seneca warriors, who paddling almost 
noiselessly down the river until within sight of the Neutral 
town, had captured it by a single war-whoop. The river 
had a sharp bend and formed a loop curving directly around 
the town. Thus canoe after canoe would float down and 
by the town, and, when a little way below, the warriors 
would steer for shore, port across the tongue, re-embark 



16 LAST 6BAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

and-float down again. To the frightened Neutrals it seemed 
as if the Iroquois had filled the river from end to end and 
were sending thousands of warriors against them. So they 
sorrowfully abandoned their homes at the first war-whoop 
and retreated into the forest without even giving battle. 
It is little wonder that the potency of the Iroquois war-cry 
became famous. It is little wonder that the cry of ^*the 
Mohawks!'' set all New England in a panic. 

The Senecas early had a village near the mouth of the 
** Swift Water" but later abandoned it for a town farther 
up stream. When the French anchored at the mouth of 
the creek they named it **La rivifere aux bois-blancs/' 
meaning ' ' the white-wood river, ' ' but on some of the earlier 
maps it is known as Maskinongez, after the famous game 
fish, the muskalunge. The stream once abounded with these 
gamy, under-water people and it is not to be thought strange 
that the sport-loving Seneca carefully bated his bone fish- 
hook with a frog and drew it up and down the *' swift 
water" stream, in the pools where the muskalunge made his 
nest. Thus we may readily believe that the creek and 
valley attracted many a bronzed aboriginal and indeed large 
parties of explorers and home-seekers. All along the valley, 
whether the plain is wide or the cliff over the stream is 
high, one will find broken flints, fragments of crushed pot- 
tery and now and then protruding bones. 

The great village of the Neutral Nation had been near 
Lewiston. It is recorded in our documentary histories as 
Kieuneka or Oa-o-no-geh. There had been the home of the 
''mother of the nation" — ^the ''fire woman," as some have 
called the female ruler of the nation. Another important 
town was on Grand Island. Tradition makes it one of the 
towns of refuge. The secret of its existence long remained 
qbscured until Frederick Houghton, principal of a public 
school in Buffalo, and archeologist of the Buffalo Society of 
Natural Sciences, sought it out in 1910 and dug up many 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 17 

of its buried relies.^ The Seneeas had long had traditions of 
Grand Island, some vague and some fanciful, but all indi- 
cating that they had a certain reverence for it. 

Likewise the Tonawanda valley to them was a chosen 
region, and after the bloody war of 1651, in which the Five 
Nations triumphed over the Neuters and adopted the sur- 
vivors, all this fair country fell intp the keeping of the 
Seneeas. The western end of the *'Long House," as they 
called their confederacy, was then extended from its orig- 
inal location on the Genesee and placed against Lake Erie. 
Small settlements began to be made and the Tonawanda 
land and water trail became a commoner highway than 
before. With the destruction of the Erie Nation three 
years later all the western New York country, the Alle- 
gheny and the territory west into the Ohio became Seneca 
dominion. 

The Tonawanda valley was not entirely wooded; there 
were ancient clearings here and there, but in general there 
were thick forests of basswood, of pine and hemlock, 
together with tracts of hardwood timber, such as oak. The 
*' swift water" runs over broken beds of slate with here 
and there a little fall. Midway, however, is a beautiful 
cascade of some height, and on either side below it, high 
cliffs with mossy sides. Along the creek for several miles 
west of this point the Tonawanda Seneeas have their 
modern reservation. It is fertile country in general with 
rolling uplands above the limestone escarpment and sandy 
loam that in denuded spots show stiff clay. 

The Seneeas did not gain this country without a struggle 
nor did they retain it after the white man came, without 
another. They won it in a fair iight in the field against a 
hostile, treacherous foe ; and they again fought for it, this 
time in courts and with brains and wit instead of arrows 
and war clubs — ^but the foe as before, was a treacherous 
one, and hostile. 

2. Vide, BuHetin, Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, Vol. X, No. 2. 



18 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE JEOQUOIS 

With the sale of the Genesee country and its loss in part 
through fraud, many of the Genesee Senecas removed to 
Tonawanda. It was the nearest refuge. Others pushed on 
to Buffalo Creek, while still others went to Cattarau«rus or 
down the Allegheny. 

As a reserved tract Tonawanda was set aside bv the 
treaty of Big Tree in 1797. It then covered seventy-one 
square miles. Today, however, only 6,550 acres remain. 
The red man still clings to the tenth of his original holding, 
and it is to be hoped that the possession of that shrunken 
tenth will mean at least a *' nine-tenths right" to hold it for 
many generations more. 

One of the most distinguished families of Seneca Castle 
on Seneca Lake, the present site of Geneva, moved to the 
Allegheny country, settling at Dyo-ne-go-no, or Cold 
Spring. Later they moved farther down the river and 
built their homes at Dyo-no-sa-de-ga or Burnt Houses, later 
known as Complanter's town. About this time when the 
Senecas were demoralized and broken, there arose a 
prophet. He was Handsome Lake or Ga-nio-dai-u, one of 
the Sachems of the League. With great vigor he proclaimed 
his revelations and there rallied to his support a consider- 
able number of converts. Like many prophets of old he 
was inclined to do eccentric things, and this was more than 
even the benighted Indians could stand. They arose and 
drove him out, he and his family, his converts and his 
friends. A ** revelation" pointed the way to Tonawanda. 
Therefore, Handsome Lake, with Joi-e-sey, Ga-wa-so-wa-noh 
and a host of others who believed, took up their journey 
over the hills and valleys to the land of the * * swift water. ' ' 
The prophet probably did much thinking as he traveled 
and no doubt determined not to have any more visions 
about big snakes under the river. At Allegany he had 
such a revelation and set hundreds of the work-shirking 
warriors digping frantically into the bottom lands. They 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 19 

threw up great banks of earth and penetrated below the 
bottom of the river but not a sign of the monster snake 
<^uld they find. When the prophet explained that the 
<2reature had crawled under the mountains and was eating 
out the heart of the earth like a worm in an apple^ the 
Allegheny people arose in wrath. They half suspected the 
prophet was going to order them to dig down the moun- 
tains. It was hard enough to hoe corn and hill up the beans 
without looking for reptiles inside the limestone spurs of 
the AUeghenys. They hoped the beast would fill himself 
^ith rocks and then choke to death. He could die that 
way for all they cared. The reptile was allowed to eat his 
^ay through the hills but the prophet found that it would 
not be easy for himself. He had to pack up and depart 
for regions where he could no longer pei^etrate the earth 
ivith his enchanted eye and see snakes a mile long and 
with teeth that would crush boulders like chestnuts. But 
then, there are always persons who arc skeptical of signs 
^nd wonders. How comforting it was to have a few who 
believed and would sacrifice to uphold their faith! Why 
sfiould we of today smile in our superiority when many 
other people in the days gone by followed prophets with 
far less to commend them than Handsome Lake? Do wo 
not, even now, expend our energies seeking shadows and 
build our hopes on idle dreams? Handsome Lake had a 
great end in view and accomplished it. He was no self- 
peeking imposter, but a prophet with an unselfish purpose. 
Among those who went with him were three brothers who 
had acquired the English surname of Parker. The boys 
were named Samuel, Henry and William. Not much is 
known of Henry but Sam was a stalwart young warrior 
and hardened to the chase, while William at this time was 
a small boy of eight or nine. The journey to them was 
«n excursion and they basked imder the favor of the 
prophet, ejected though he was. The family settled at 



20 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IB0QU0I8 

Tonawanda and Sam and William grew up together there- 
Whether William became tired of the prophet's teaching* 
or not or whether he commenced to see through it all, we 
do not know. However, in later years he became a Baptist 
and married the prophet's great grand-daughter, a young: 
woman of wondrous beauty. 

His mother had chosen as their new home a command- 
ing location near the beautiful falls of Tonawanda creek 
and indeed their little farm sloped down to its very banks. 
The Parker homestead was built of logs. * It was large and 
roomy, for a log dwelling, and with its several additions^ 
became a real ''establishment," and the stopping place ia 
later years of many distinguished visitors both red and 
white. Their names are well known to the student of his* 
tory, for they were men who made history. 

The Parker home as rebuilt in later years was set welf 
back from the road. Log dwelling though it was, its size 
made it more than a cabin, while the tall poplars and other 
trees carefully trimmed about it gave the place an air of 
permanence. * The land about it was cleared, for William 
was a worker and his wife, Ga-ont-gwut-twus, a woman who 
inspired him to do his utmost. She was ho-ya-neh, that is, 
of the noble families, the company of women who held the 
sachemship titles. It was therefore not for him to shirk. 
His home, his farm and its surroundings should be the 
finest. It was indeed fine in its day and its setting as- 
romantic as it was picturesque. There were deep woods 
filled with game, flowing streams filled with fish, and below 
the booming falls were deep fishing holes. 

The years have passed, but a portion of the old log house 
remains. It is. however, now on white man's land, for the 
Senecas lost a large portion of their Tonawanda country — 



8. The first bouse was a roomy one-story cabin used afterward as the kitdiev 
of the larger establishment of later years. 

4. This house was 40 by 50 feet with one large room below, a i^econd story 
with four rooms and a garret above. The first cabin served as a kitchen addition. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 21 

nine-tenths of it, as we have said. With the change, the 
<dress of nature changed. Its geography remained, it is 
true — the falls, the creek, the hills are there, but the forests, 
4he game, the romances have gone. 

It may seem strange that an Indian with little or no 
.associations with the whites and no European blood should 
take the name of Parker. There have been many inquiries 
.as to the origin of this name. In General Parker's notes 
the answer is found. An English officer had been captured 
.and in the Iroquois way adopted. This was back in the 
Revolutionary days just before Sullivan's destructive raid 
through the Seneca country. The Englishman's name was 
Parker. He lived for some time with the family of his 
^adoption, was given a Seneca name and adopted into the 
Hawk clan. He became very fond of the two boys who 
then constituted the family and was a cordial and helpful 
•companion to the old father. When the time came for his 
return to Canada he bestowed his surname, Parker, upon 
his adopted father and foster-uncle. ^ To the two boys 
likewise he gave English names. One he named Samuel 
and the other Henry; William was bom later. This 
lestowal of English names was a great advantage but the 
family still preserved its Seneca names and always used 
them among themselves. The father never used the English 
appellation. The only English names used by William's 
father, as far as can be discovered, was Little Smoke, but 
"he was known to the Senecas as Joy-e-sey. His brother 
was the well known leader. Young King. Their father was 
the celebrated Gai-yen-gwa-toh, or Disappearing Smoke, 
whose history is as thrilling as that of any character in 
Indian romance. The story of his part in the raid at 
Wyoming is a stirring one and one that his loyal ami 
patriotic descendants in later years spoke very lightly of, if 
they spoke of it at all. It was not a war record to make an 



5. This brother of th« "oriflrinal Parker" married the offspring of the captire 
ISIocum woman and a French military officer from Canada. 



22 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

American unduly proud; but the old man had only done 
his duty and fought as an ally of Great Britain. His home 
town was known as Ga-nun-da-sa-ga, or to the whites as 
Kanandesaga or Old Town. This ancient village was sur 
rounded by a palisade and an earthen wall and was a vil- 
lage of the ancient Iroquois type. It was sometimes called 
Seneca Castle by the English traders who wandered in from 
Port Johnson. Disappearing Smoke or Old King was 
known to Rev. Samuel Kirkland and to Sir William John- 
son, as the foremost leader of his nation, a friend to be 
sought and a foe to be feared. Col. Stone in the **Life of 
Red Jackef tells us: **01d Smoke was the most powerful, 
as he was deemed the wisest sachem of his time. He was- 
the principal sachem, or civil chief of the nation, and hi^ 
word was law. When he thought proper to convene a^ 
council it was only for the purpose of announcing his inten- 
tions and none said nay to his behests. His infallibility 
was never questioned.'' 

The older men of the Scnecas who remembered his in- 
fluence described him as a man of great stature and oc 
commanding presence. He seemed to be a man who loveT 
justice for its own sake, and even though he was a savage 
whose glimpse of civilization was slight indeed, he oppose:! 
any plan for the Iroquois to take part in the Revolutionary" 
War. It is said, too, that his defense of Rev. Samuel Kirk- 
land, whose life was in peril at the hands of the Senecas who- 
had accused hin(i of bewitching the man who had sheltered 
and fed him, was a wondrous example of native eloquence. 
It bore down all opposition, cleared Kirkland and brought 
forth a burst of cheer-cries that made the council house 
ring with their vehemence. And this same man led his 
warriors into the Wyoming Valley and massacred the 
white inhabitants there. So contrary is human nature T 
Let is be said, however, that Old King was under the 
direction of the En":lish Tories — these savajre white men 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 23 

who murdered their own kin — ^but so far as known at the 
Wyoming ** massacre," not a single woman or child was 
killed. Of the two forces the Seneca Indians showed far 
greater humanity than **the envenomed hate of their Tory 
allies that showed no relenting." Little Smoke and his 
noted brother, Young King, fled to the British Fort at 
Niagara during the heart-breaking, nation-breaking, raid 
of Major John Sullivan. Later he settled at Buffalo creek 
and then moved down on the Allegheny. After his wife's 
journey to Tonawanda with Handsome Lake he built a 
lonely cabin and died shortly after. He would neither fol- 
low the prophet nor his family who followed the prophet 's 
teachings. In his life he had been taciturn — in habit a 
hunter and wanderer, but from the faith of his fathers he 
would not wonder, not even when his wife and his boys 
followed the **new light" into the valley of the ** rapid 
water." Rather he would follow the paths of his fathers 
to the happy hunting-ground and discover the true light 
there. 



24 LAST eSAND SACEEU OF THE ISOQl'OIS 



CHAPTER III 

I 

HOW THE SENEGAS MADE WAR UPON 

GREAT BRITAIN 

The first decade of the Nineteenth century was one of 
readjustment for the Senecas. The victory of the American 
colonists had proved the power of the "Thirteen Fires'' 
and the weakness of the British as allies and as a continental 
power. The years that followed the destructive raid of 
Major General John Sullivan, in which he burned nearly 
every town of the Iroquois, west of the Oneidas, gave the 
Senecas time for much serious thinking. White men could 
be as savage as they, they well knew, but that this fury 
would turn to fire and blast their dominion as it did, they 
never dreamed. They learned the power of the whites and 
their defenseless condition when attacked at home. The 
tables were turned and Sullivan's men played the savage, 
even to skinning a young Seneca to make leather for 
leggings. Their ancient farms were devastated and thou- 
sands of bushels of corn burned and thrown into the rivers. 
The Senecas abandoned their old home-land and fled to the 
protection of the British at Port Niagara. Never as a 
people did they resume their old seats on the ** river beauti- 
ful,'' the Jen-nes-sce-u. They settled at Buffalo or wan- 
dered off into Ohio with their broken vassals, the Eries 
and Neuters, who in small numbers camped there. Those 
who remained dwelt in bitterness of spirit and stalked about 
like dead men, dreaming, meditating, but only half seeing 
or hearing. 

Then came the secret word from Ohio. It roused the 
restless young men to life. It spread like the wind and 
fanned to a flame the patriotism of the young Senecas who 
had been but babes when the boom of Sullivan's cannon 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IJiOQUOIS 25 

spoke the doom of Seneca power. The word which came 
was whispered into the ears of the young men lest the old 
become hostile. It told of a great leader who had arisen, 
who had proclaimed that if all the red men of the continent 
would unite and fight, the invading white man could be 
driven out. The great ** earth-island'' again should belong 
to the red man a^one as their supreme possession. The name 
of Tecumseh became a watchword to the young men who 
regarded him as the hero of the race. His plan for a mighty 
league of the tribes who should unite to resist further 
encroachment of the invading whites appealed to their 
natural love of country. It made them aspire for great 
things and served to revive their hopes as a people. 

True, the Iroquois of New York lived in tracts of country 
entirely surrounded by white settlers and had been at peace 
since the Revolutionary War. The chiefs were friendly 
with their white neighbors, but notwithstanding all this 
the young men had not yet seen that their salvation lay in 
learning all the good things the settlers had to teach and 
eschewing the evils they brought. They felt a consciousness 
that their race had been wronged and thought it patriotism 
to revenge it and seek to make the land the red man's 
undisputed own. Many of the younger men hurried west 
to join the forces of Tecumseh and the prophet or ally 
themselves with Little Turtle, the Miami. This bold idea 
'was opposed with vigor both by Red Jacket and Handsome 
Lake. The latter used his influence to dissuade his con- 
certs from having anything to do with the affairs of the 
western tribes against the Americans. Handsome Lake 
was a "peace prophet'' and urged his people to obey the 
precepts that he claimed to have received from the "four 
messengers" from the land above the sky. In this respect 
he was directly opposed to Elskawata, the "war prophet" 
of the Shawnees who was fostering, by convenient revela- 
tions, the plans of his brother Tecumseh. In other respects, 



26 LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IJiOQUOIS 

however, there are strange similarities between the moral 
teachings of the two prophets, and their ideas of the here- 
after are quite identical. 

Red Jacket, that vi^lant guard of the Senecas, went ta 
the various councils in the West which were held in the 
interests of Tecuraseh's confederacy, and was particularly 
conspicuous at the council of Detroit. Tbe largest inter- 
tribal council held for generations had met there. With 
Red Jacket were many of the finest examples of Seneca 
manhood to be found in the nation. The Senecas, haughty 
in their demeanor, manifested a keen consciousness of their 
glory. Upon the first day a spirited debate arose as to the 
right of precedence in debate. This was a delicate point 
of honor. The Wyandots claimed it but Rc3 Jacket, ignor- 
ing their able chiefs, arose and with such a brilliant oration: 
argued for the Senecas that no one afterward disputed him. 
The intimate knowledge that he displayed of the history 
and traditions of all the tribes gathered before him wa.s too 
profound, and some of it too galling to be disputed. Not 
one wished to argue against Red Jacket's assumption of 
the superiority of the Senecas. Then, as his turn came to 
voice the ideas of the Seneca nation, he argued for peace 
and afterward consistently worked to prevent the members 
of the Iroquois League from entering into conflict with the 
whites under the leadership of Tecumseh. 

Just to digress, suppose that the gallant leader had suc- 
ceeded in getting the solid support of the Six Nations^ 
embittered as they were by the suffering and humiliation 
they had endured through Sullivan and Brodhead? Sup- 
pose the Iroquois, stung with their former ignominious 
defeat, had again taken up the tomahawk and wielded it 
with their ancient vigor, might not Tippecanoe have been 
won by the red man and that battlefield be described differ- 
ently in the pages of history ? But Tecumseh was not there 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IHOQVOIS 27 

and the Six Nations as a unit held back their experienced 
warriors. 

Perhaps there was a reason for delaying or refusing tt> 
engage in such a momentous undertaking. Perhaps there 
was another and more poignant reason than the bans of 
the prophet and the logic of Red Jacket. Every Iroquois- 
today knows the reason why the tomahawk lay buried deep* 
and why they continued friendly with the whites. 

The Iroquois were grateful to Washington. It was he- 
who had shown them mercy and preserved for them at 
least a portion of their ancient domain in New York, when 
the entire country clamored for their removal into the- 
West. The treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1784 gave the Six 
Nations a guarantee of their lands, diminished though they 
were. IVIany of the people were not satisfied but as Com- 
planter in 1790 expressed the general thought of the nation* 
to Washington: **. . . When you gave us peace, we- 
called you Father because you promised to secure us in the 
I>ossession of our lands. Do this and so long as the land? 
remain, that beloved name will live in the heart of every 
Seneca.'' The name was Town Destroyer, the Seneca name- 
for George Washington. 

Six or seven months after the raid-winter war council of 
the Seneeas called to discuss the impending war with Great 
Britain, a general meeting of the Onondaeas and Seneca* 
was held at the residence of Hon. Erastus Granger, then 
superintendent of the Seneeas. Judge Granger pleaded 
with the Seneeas to remain neutral and reminded them of 
Washington's advice, **That you take no part in the quar- 
rels with the white people." Even Red Jacket deplored 
that the Canadian Mohawks of Brant's party were bound 
to fight as British allies, even as they had done before. 
This embittered the two divisions of the Iroquois and 
caused a breach that even yet has not entirely healed. Both 
Judge Granger and Red Jacket made impressive speeches- 



^8 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQVOIS 

And the outcome was so important in the minds of the 
people that the first book published in Buffalo was a record 
<of the speeches of Granger and Red Jacket. ^ 

The rumblings of the war disturbed many of the 
inhabitants of the village of Buffalo. They were in a posi 
tion exposed on all sides to danger. The British were 
'Opposite and the Indians swarmed all around them. Many 
left the village and sought refuge beyond the frontier. 
Pears were entertained that the New York Indians were in 
reality under the influence of the British, through the 
Canadian Mohawks who were constantly visiting them. It 
i^as under this apprehension that Judge Granger called the 
KH>uncil to explain the reasons of the war. Red Jacket 
afterward alluded to the fear of the residents of Buffalo 
and said as he unrolled the great George Washington treaty 
"belt that the whites should never regard an Indian Council 
as serious, nor regard it as a dangerous thing unless the 
national wampums were brought forth and displayed. He 
-scoffed at the panic that resulted from a fisherman's fight 
•on the banks of the creek. 

On June 6, 1812, the British were reported to have taken 
forcible possession of Grand Island, the property of the 
Seneca Nation. The Senecas would now no longer promise 
neutrality. A council was called at Buffalo reservation, 
^'the old council fire of the nations" was kindled and a 
-gieneral proclamation was issued. Red Jacket, who but a 
few days before had argued for peace and who had dis- 
played the famous Washington treaty wampum, now 
argued for war. The British had seized the lands under 
the dominion of the Senecas! War should be declared I 
As allies of the United States the Six Nations of New York 



1. "Public Speeches, delivered at the Tillage of Buffalo on the 6tb and 8th 
-daya of July. 1812. by Hon. Erastui Granfer, Indian Agent and Red Jadcet, one 
of the principal chiefs and speakers of the Soieca Nation, respecting the part the 
-Six Nations would take in the present war against Great Britain. Buffalo: Printed 
and sold by 8. H. and H. A. Salisbury — Sold also at the Canandaigua and Genera 
IXMkBtore*— 1812." 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 29 

would punish the invaders. The declaration of war read 
as follows : 

''We the chiefs and councillors of the Six Nations of 
Indians residing in the State of New York, do hereby prOf 
claim to all the war chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations, 
that war is declared on our part against the provinces of 
Upper and Lower Canada. Therefore we hereby command 
and advise all the war chiefs of the Six Nations to call forth, 
immediately the warriors under them, and put them in 
motion to protect their rights and liberties, which our 
brethren the Americans are now defending." 

The call was generally respected and later on, September 
28, 1812, a memorial was sent out from the ancient capital 
of the League of the Iroquois at Onondaga in which it was 
said, "We are few in number, and can do but little, but 
our hearts are good." They might have added, ** likewise 
our weapons, too, are good and our aim unsurpassed." 

When the council at Buffalo on August 4th was called, 
Red Jacket mentioned the rumor of the British occupation 
of Grand Island. In addressing Judge Granger, he said r 

Brother! Our property is taken poBsession of by the British and 
their Indian friends. It is necessary for us now to take up the busi- 
ness and defend our property and drive the enemy from it. If we- 
sit stiU upon our seats and take no measure of redress, the British 
according to the customs of you white people, will hold it by conquest, 
and should you conquer Canada, you will claim it upon the same 
principles, as conquered from the British. We therefore request per- 
mission to go with our warriors and drive off these bad people anol 
take possession of our lands. 

Little Billy, one of the wise councillors of the Senecas,. 
on September 8, 1812, at Buffalo, made a stirring address 
in which he explained most logically the situation of his 
people : 

Brother! I have spoken of the pains we have taken to preserve 
peace. Tour agents have done the same, but in vain. We went to 



32 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 

intellectually the peer of Red Jacket. Unlike Red Jacket,, 
he was never addicted to the use of rum. Had it not beei» 
for his ^eat modesty the name of Farmer's Brother, today, 
would be known far more widely than even Red Jacket's. 

Other leaders were Major Henry O'Bail, or Young Corn- 
planter, as he was called. It was he, who with 400 Senecas,, 
took part in the defense of Buffalo. 

William Parker was the first Tonawanda to enroll, and 
he chose as his Captain, Little Billy and followed Farmer'* 
Brother as his colonel. 

The roster kept by the Parker family records, besides 
the names given, the following captains: Captain John. 
Kennedy, a Cayuga, who is on the record as being exceed- 
ingly brave; and Captains Sundown. King, Peter Ken- 
jockety, Isaac, Jonas, Joeh, Snow, Jackson, Bone, Shongo^ 
Cold, Heegan, and Tommey. Others are Colonel Lewis,. 
Colonel Smith and ^lajor Berry. 

In the battle at Fort George, Colonels Farmer's Brother,. 
Smith, Billy, Captains Halftown, Pollard, Red Jacket^ 
Black Snake, Johnson, Silverheels and Captain Cold of the 
Onondagas, were in command of the Indians. This is from 
the official report of General John N. Boyd, who speaks well 
of the behavior of the Indian allies. 

Crossing over into Canada, the Iroquois troops fought at 
Chippewa and at Lundy's Lane under General Scott. At 
the former battle, while fighting under Captain Pollard, 
"William Parker was wounded in the shoulder. So 
splendidly did these Indians fight that General Boyd, who 
noticed their action in particular, said: **The bravery and 
humanity of the Indians were equally conspicuous." 

And here, truth again appears stranger than fiction. So 
thoroughly aroused were the Iroquois, to such a fervent 
pitch wieis their patriotism wrought, that more than a score 
of their women donned uniforms, shouldered muskets and 
fought like the patriots they were. Most of them were 






o 1 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 33 

Oneidas and went to war with their husbands. The Oneidas 
had long been a tribe faithful to the American cause. 

In the old army register kept by William Parker, and 
later his son Nicholson, we find a list of these patriotic 
women. Lest we forget, let us doff our hats at the names 
of Annie Metoxen, Usena Reed, Polly Antonine, Margaret 
Adams, Susan Hendrick, Dolly and Mary Schenandoah, 
Salmo Adzquette, Margaret Stevens, Polly Cooper, Mary 
Williams, Margaret John, Mary Antonine and Susan 
Jacobs. They wore sometime the rough garments of men, 
they fought like men, they bled and died like heroes. What 
more patriotic heroes indeed does our history record than 
these! 

Some of the warriors were mere boys just in their 
''teens," among them Saul Logan the Squawkie Hill 
Indian, the sentry at Black Rock. He was fourteen years 
old. Even William Parker was only seventeen. Others 
were white-haired old men. There we have it. The whole 
people fought — men, women and youths 1 

There are many stories of gallant service, of courage, 
of daring. Qa-uch-so-wa of the Beaver clan dung close 
to the front at the redoubt at Black Rock. It was he who 
bayonetted the first red-coat to appear. White Seneca was 
hailed by his i>eople as the "bravest of the brave." There 
were men like Sho-a-go-wa, of the Turtle elan. It was he 
who volunteered to run in front of the enemy's line, in 
order to get them to discharge their guns. Then imme- 
diately our troops poured upon them. Yet brave Sho-a- 
go-wa was not even scratched. Like his patron totem, ''he 
lived long and died hard." Other men were eager and 
fearless, like Do-sa-ga-ni-yak, of the Bear clan. In his 
eagerness to get at the enemy he crossed the Niagara on a 
raft, and in the rapids just above the Falls. John Street 
(Ho-wa-yok-se) did not even have a raft He tied his gun 
to his long hair, let it rest upon his back and then swam 



34 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

the river, making directly for the red-coats when he landed. 
Native strategy was shown by Captain Isaac who was shot 
in the neck and taken to the British camp. Regaining 
consciousness, he slowly opened his eyes, kept quiet and 
when he had located himself as in the enemy's lines, he 
waited his chance and escaped to the American encamp- 
ment. Jo-ho-a-hoh was captured, in the Buffalo fight, but 
mixed with the crowd calmly and when he was ready he 
simply ''disappeared," and entered his own ranks again. 
Some of the older men having greater faith in the arms of 
their ancestors used their ancient weapons, the tomahawk 
and bow. Peter Halfwhite (De-gai-i-da-goh, of the Deer), 
was one of these and carried his bow, arrows and quiver all 
through the war. William Parker carried a tomahawk, 
but kept it mainly as an ornament. 

Even the captives of the Iroquois fought with them, the 
Delawares, Squawkies, Cherokees, Shawnees and Chip- 
pewas. The record shows them to have been as daring as 
the Iroquois themselves. Thus it was that the Six Nations 
of Indians became the allies of the United States of 
America. Indian Americans, they were, and defending 
with the pale-faced Americans, ''their land, their wives 
and their children, ' ' they had a common cause. All through 
the war they fought, at Buffalo, Black Bock, Youngstown, 
Fort George, liundy's Lane, Chippewa and Fort Niagara- 
William Parker, with his brother Samuel who was eleven 
years older than he, took part in all these engagements. 
His commanders had been Young King, Bed Jacket and 
Little Billy. Nearly all the Seneca captains operated under 
orders from the venerable Colonel Parmer's Brother, who 
in turn was subject to the general orders of Gtenerals Scott, 
Boyd and Porter. 

We cannot leave the discussion of the brave Indian, 
Parmer's Brother, without relating an incident that 
occurred at Buffalo. It is a familiar tradition in the 



LAST OBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 35 

Parker family and is found recorded in the life of Bed 
Jacket, by Stone. 

At Londy's Lane several of the American officers were 
^severely wounded, among them General Scott, Major Qen- 
«ral Brown and his aide-de-camp. Captain Worth. The 
genial nature of the latter made him popular with the 
^necas, who delighted to do him small courtesies. Farmer's 
Brother especially was constantly at the bedside of the 
•captain. 

The British were anxious to discover just how conditions 
were in the American camp, and sent over a Chippewa 
Indian to mingle with the Senecas who were in the village 
of Buffalo, and get all the information he could. He 
•claimed to have deserted the British, to have swum Chip- 
pewa river and crossed the Niagara in order to join the 
American army. This was a little more than the Indians 
Kiould swallow, and it being an exceedingly hot summer's 
day, they proceeded to imbibe a little freely of the army 
rum. Perhaps it was to wash down the improbable tale. 
As their spirit was awakened they commenced to boast of 
their exploits; how many red-coats they had killed and 
how they had defied and outwitted the enemy. The Chip- 
pewa spy then forgot his character and began to boast of 
the Yankees and Senecas he had killed, and scalped. 
Twenty Senecas sat around him and heard his confession. 
A dispute arose and the Chippewa was told just what the 
Senecas thought of him. 

Parmer's Brother, who had been sitting at Capt. Worth's 
'bedside, heard the commotion and came out to ascertain 
the cause. He listened a moment and then stepping up to 
the spy gave him a blow upon the head with his war-clulJi 
The Chippewa staggered and then fell, and lay stunned. 
Then, suddenly leaping up he burst through the circle and 
took mad flight. 



36 LAST OMAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 

The Seneeas then jeered at him, calling him a coward 
and a man afraid to die. The taunts struck home. Not 
even in this moment of crisis would he allow any man to 
call him a coward. Though he was a spy he was not that. 
He turned and walked back into the circle. Drawing his 
blanket over his head he stood facing his foes. Then con- 
scious of his crime he lay down on a log from one of the 
burned buildings near Main and Swan streets and covered 
his face. He knew that his punishment was but a question 
of a few moments. Farmer's Brother lifted up his rifle^ 
pressed it against the culprit's head and shot him dead. 
This was the Indian way, and it left every man's honor 
clean. 

It has been stated that there were 1,200 Iroquois allies 
of the Americans in the war. The Parker record book gives 
the names of only 600, and records their tribe, clan, and 
Indian name, as well as giving the place of enlistment and 
discharge. It is certain in any event that the Senecas 
supplied two-thirds of the total number engaged. In the 
old battles of the League they had done the same. 

The names of the gallant Iroquois allies of the United 
States do not appear on the regular muster rolls of the army 
or even upon its pay-rolls. These facts made it difficult in 
after years for them to obtain pensions and land bounty 
warrants. 

With the success of the American cause, the home coun- 
tiy was preserved. The mouth of the Tonawanda creek 
opened out safely to an American Niagara. The mysterious 
island was saved, but only later to be relinquished. The 
passing of years make newer generations forget. And so 
from the minds of the Senecas, with the passing of the old 
sages, passed the knowledge of the graves of the forgotten 
Neuter villagers. 

■ 

Though the entire Niagara was ceded to private land 
owners by the Senecas, one long forgotten fact remains: 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 37 

The Seneca Nation never gave up their title to the bed Of 
the Niagara Biver! Today they own it and a strip along 
the shore. It is theirs, and some day the State of New York 
must reckon for its payment. The State may wriggle and 
squirm, it may balk, and prone down, as it did in the tardy 
justice it has given the Cayugas, but even as the 118-year 
fight was won by the Cayugas and the GO-year fight of the 
Six Nations for payment for their Kansas lands, so some 
^y must the land and the river defended by the Senecas in 
1812-15 be paid for by the sovereign State. 

The War of 1812 estranged the two branches of the 
Iroquois. For many years there was a bitter feeling 
between them. The Canadian branch, uniting all their 
tribes in a general council, continued to govern themselves 
in the ancient way and under the laws of De-ga-na-wi-da, 
and Hiawatha. They claimed to be the true confederacy 
and to have shown the right spirit in clinging to their 
British allies. The Iroquois that remained, they pointed 
out, were broken, scattered bands without coherence or 
spirit. On the other hand the New York Iroquois claimed 
that the Canadian branch had seceded, thereby violating 
the constitution of the Confederacy and automatically 
<^utting themselves off from its forms and rights. They 
accused them of abandoning their ancestral domain, of 
allowing their "heads to roll away." There had been no 
actual break until the War of 1812, but when arrayed 
against one another they fought on opposite sides, then 
bitterness was gall, indeed! Cordial relations were not 
soon again established, although there were journeys to 
and fro soon after the dose of the war. 
• The lingering prejudice manifested itself at the last 
-council on the Genesee in 1879, when William Pryor Letch- 
worth dedicated the old Caneadea council house. Represen- 
tatives of all the Six Nations were there, among them 
Colonel Simcoe Kerr, a Mohawk of the Canadian army, and 



38 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IMOQUOIS 

his sister, Kate Osbom. The Colonel refused an introdue* 
tion to the Seneca chief s, Parker, O'Bail and Jacket, but- 
later at his sister's entreaties, grasped their hands and 
pledged his friendship. Thus was that council a memoiv 
able one. 

For the sake of historical accuracy it will be interesting 
to record a description of the uniforms and clothing worn 
by the Iroquois allies. Many of them took the regular 
uniforms of the army, but others clung to the Indian attire^ 
of the day. Some wore buckskin leggins and fringed 
leather hunting-shirt. Others used broadcloth leggings^ 
neatly beaded in designs of various patterns. The shirt 
was always worn outside like a coat, and was never ' ' tucked 
in. ' ' Sashes of native weaves were worn by the chiefs or 
captains. These were strung across the shoulder and over 
the chest diagonally to the left hip, where the long-fringed 
ends were tied. Most of them were woven of red worsted 
but a few were of buckskin with moose hair, or quilled in 
porcupine. The Seneca moccasin was made of one piece 
of leather with a seam in the heel and over the top of the 
foot. 

The Iroquois did not wear the plumed feather bonnet 
of the Sioux, but wore round caps that covered the head. 
From the middle of the crown was suspended a cluster of 
downy feathers five or six inches long and from a spindle 
in the center arose an eagle plume that whirled as the 
wearer moved. A decorated band or a silver crown 
encircled the cap which was of leather, fur or cloth. Some- 
times the entire breast was bare and only leggins, breech 
clout and moccasins worn. Some of the older men, con- 
forming to the ancient custom, shaved their heads by burn- 
ing off all the hair except the scalp lock at the crown. 
Many too had slit the rims of their ears and wound silver 
foil around them. In the small socket in the top was placed 
a fluffy plume or a woodpecker's feather. Between the 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 39 

Indian costume and the military uniforms were all grada- 
tions, but in most cases every Indian carried or wore a 
^'match-coat" or blanket. Sometimes these blankets were 
only cotton sheets. The leaders often wore military coats 
and carried sabers but one can readily imagine that their 
feet were moccasin-shod. It is a belief that the moccasin 
on the feet of the dead helps find the way to the Indian 
heaven. 

In this manner appeared the Iroquois army, the last time 
it was ever called as a unit to the front We need not 
smile at their garments or deplore the fact that they knew 
nothing of the ''Macedonian phalanx" or of forming hol- 
low squares. This knowledge does not make a soldier. A 
half -starved sick and vagabond army in tattered raiment 
eventually won the independence of this nation. Like them 
the Iroquois were loyal and good shots. Those qualities 
have helped maintain the gloried independence of this 
nation. t 

Nearly all of the Senecas who fought in the war took 
the oath of allegiance to the United States. This circum- 
stance, coupled with the fact that they felt that they 
were actually resisting an invasion of their own territory, 
did much to estrange the Senecas from the English and to 
render void the overtures of the British agents that had 
beien made continually since the close of the Revolution. 
More than anything else, the War of 1812 cemented the 
Iroquois to the United States and left them a loyal people, 
confident in the integrity and justice of the nation. Their 
hopes were high and they believed that a new era of good 
fellowship had dawned. Alas, how falsely they were 
deceived! In fifteen years' time this hope snapped like a 
l)ubble. 



40 LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THS lEOQVOlS 



CHAPTER IV 

THE GRAND-DAUGHTER OP THE PROPHET 

And so William Parker the young warrior, came home. 
The war was over and the scars attested to his valor in the 
fight. He remained a short time with his aged mother 
and then began to clean up a farm that he could call his 
own. His experience during his three years' service had 
taught him several valuable lessons. It had taught his 
people as many. They were the value of concerted action, 
industry, order and progress. Whatever may have been 
William 's early training he now resolved that the old days 
had passed and that neither he nor his nation could live on 
memories or succeed by lamenting the events that had 
gone by. So he shouldered his ax as bravely as he had his 
gun and whistled ''Yankee tunes" as vigorously as when 
he felled the British on the banks of the Niagara. For a 
while he worked in his saw-mill, but later as his learning 
grew he develox>ed one of the best Indian farms along the 
valley. It is not strange that the Senecas should have fine 
farms, for the Genesee Valley only in his father's day had 
been one great garden, with thousands of acres of waving 
com, twining beans, squashes, and melons. To charge these 
Indians with only being hunters is incorrect. There was 
this difference, towever; under the old regime it was Wil- 
liam's mother who tilled the fields; it was his father who 
cleared them. It was in those da3r8 considered fair that 
each sex should share the burden of providing food; the 
man, the meat ; the woman, the bread. Nor was it any easier 
to carry a deer ten miles than it was to hoe ten rows of 
com. But William had learned the new way. He both 
shot the deer and hoed the com. His mother had more 
leisure. The example of industry that he taught inspired 






A' 



A* 



• • • • 
.• • • 






\V\U 



• • . • • • • 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 41 

many of the young men, who like him had fought in the 
war. Others affected to despise him and looked with 
jealoui^ upon his cleared fields with their winding raU 
fences. Howeyer, his counsel was sought even by the older 
men, and his good judgment compelled respect. 

It was not until five or six years after the War of 1812 
that William married. It was plainly seen by Sos-he-o-wa 
that William was the favorite of Elizabeth, his grand< 
daughter, and thus Elizabeth's mother one day took a 
basket filled with wedding bread and placed the loaves at 
the door of William's mother's cabin. ^ They were accepted 
and the prospective mothers-in-law held a council. In those 
days the mother of the girl ''proposed" to the mother of 
the boy. It was so much less embarrassing for the lad, 
when he liked the girl ; but when he did not and his mother 
4id, it is still not recorded that he ever objected. 

In this case William offered no objection and the 
wedding was arranged with all its solemn lectures by the 
old ''experienced" women, and the joy songs of the war- 
riors. Then William went with his bride to his mother- 
in-law's house, where he dwelt a year. Elizabeth's grand- 
father was the noted Jemmy Johnson or Sos-he-o-wa, a 
aober chief who was preparing to become Handsome Lake's 
successor as the expounder of the ' ' new religion. ' ' William 
iseems to have been a successful son-in-law for after he had 
provided meat and com for the old folk for twelve moons, 
he was pronounced worthy of Elizabeth's hand. The 
watchful eyes of her parents could detect no flaw and he 
was allowed to take her to his own house at the Falls of the 
Tonawanda. 

William had one fault ; he was too kind to his friends and 
too hospitable to strangers. His home became the stopping- 
place for every traveler over the road. For years he kept 
an open door and a table filled with food for the travelers 



1. William and Eliabeth were cousins, but dnce their reepectire motlien 
'wen of different clans, were eligible to marry. 



42 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QV02S 

who passed; and he never asked for a ^'ihank you" or even, 
a ^^nyak-wek^' as the Indian would express it. He strictl^r 
obeyed the ancient laws of hospitality, to the great dis- 
comfort of Elizabeth, though she never complained^ 
Arduous as were her labors in preparing the tasteful com 
foods, she always had them ready and many a weary pale- 
face sat with delight at her table and ate the strange dishes^ 
she prepared after the native fashion. 

Elizabeth, as has been intimated, was a descendant on 
her mother's side of a captive of the Neuter Nation. Ordi- 
narily this would have caused some social disability in spite 
of the attempts of the Iroquois to claim their captives just 
as much Iroquois as one of unbroken lineage. However,. 
Elizabeth was in direct line from the famous Wolf clan 
family of the Neuters in which had rested the exalted title 
of Ye-go-wa-neh, a name that goes far back into the day» 
of tradition. She had been well schooled in this family 
tradition and as a child she had sat by her mother's side 
and listened to tales of the olden days. She knew how the 
earth rested on the back of a great turtle and how it was 
the duty of all Iroquois who called themselves Ongweh- 
oweh, or real men, ' ' to spread their peace and extend their 
power throughout the entire earth." She knew of the 
Neuter Nation, known to the Senecas as Eah-gwa-onoh and 
to the Wyandottes as Atiwandaronk. Many of these tradi- 
tions were told her and she passed them down to her 
children. If she ever forgot a single one, Sos-he-o-wa, or 
James Johnson, her father, took good pains to inform her. 
Some of these tales were later put in writing by her boys,, 
of whom we shall speak later. 

Gathered about the fireplace in the family loghouse, her 
mother would tell her the story of the Ongwe-oweh, tlie 
Iroquois. We can imagine the effect of the tale as she 
related the tradition, so well known to the family. 



LA8T GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 43^ 

' ' The Ongwe-oweh, they are the men of men, lived on the^ 
highest portion of the Great Island. Their territory^ 
stretched over the shoulder ridge of the Turtle's back and. 
great rivers ran down the slopes from all sides, on tha 
Turtle's scales lay long pools of pleasant waters.^ The^ 
Ongwe-oweh could quickly travel by canoe to all parts of 
the Oreat Island. By canoe they could go to the source 
of a stream, port a short way over a ridge and then re- 
embark to float down and ohward on the bosom of another- 
stream, the E[a-nyen-geh.' 

**The country of the Ongwe-oweh was favored by the 
Sky Holder and he watched over the Ongwe-oweh, for the3r 
were the Men of Men. Mountains, great lakes, and impass- 
able mardies lay between the Ongwe-oweh and their 
enemies to the north, the Tree Eaters (Hadion-das)^ 
The Crooked Tongues (Ha-dia-no-sa-tci-gwads),^ and the 
Men of Fire.^ To the west and to the south deep dark 
forests intervened and it was not eaqr from without ta- 
reach the country of the Ongwe-oweh. • 

* ' So were they favored, for they were the Men of Men. 

"To the north in the flinty country flowed the River of 
Many Bapids^ and beyond it to the east lived the fierce- 
Tree-Eaters. The Ongwe-oweh had long sought to destroy 
this hostile people and wars had gone on for generations. 
Warriors bands of the Ongwe-oweh went at every season to^ 
the country of the insolent Tree-Eaters and harassed them^ 
continually. So also did they war upon the Crooked- 
Tongues who should have been brothers but were traitonr- 
to the traditions of. the Ongwe-oweh, for their blood was- 
common. So again in another thing the Crooked-Tongues^ 
were traitors and allied themselves in battle with the Tree- 
Eaters. 



2. Tbe flng«r lakes. 8. This rcfen to the portage at Wood credc. Hie riv«r- 
is tbe Mohawk. 4. The Adirondacks or Abenakis. 5. Probably the Huronsu 
0. Probably the "peiw de /en" of the French writeri. 7. The St. Lawrence. 



44 LAST OBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

''From the favored country of the Ongwe-oweh the 
iWanderers (Shawano)^ had been driven and also a strange 
people who lived in little clusters and possessed great skill 
and patience.^ So here in possession of the country on the 
shoulder ridge of the Turtle's back lived tiie Ongwe-oweh, 
4aid thou^ there were wasteful wars they increased their 
jiumbers and the westward settlements of the Flint Nation 
(Eanyen'ge)^® seceded and became known as the Nation 
of the Stone.^^ So then this nation lay between the Nation 
^f the Flint and the Nation of the Many Hills." West- 
ward about a pleasant lake lived the Nation, Drawn-up- 
from-the-Lake ^' and the sons of the Nation of the Great 
Hill (Nundawa'ga).^* Beyond the iwpulous towns of 
the Nation of the Great HilP^ dwelt the Chiltivators 
(Hadiyent'togeo'no),!* brothers of the Crooked-Tongues 
ttnd cousins of the Men of the Great Hill. In their villages 
by the Great Fall, Oniagara, was the Peace House where 
•dwelt Yegowaneh, the Mother of Nations and her name was 
Ji-kon-sa-seh.^^ Beyond the Cultivators lived the Raccoon 
Nation ^^ also claiming to be Oweh and the allied brothers 
-of the people of the Great Hill. South of these nations of 
the Biver Wide Flats " and the Biver of the Big Bay *® 
lived the tribes of the Sunken Pole*^ and they were 
iscattered hunters. To the east and south of this nation 
were the Wolves,** a great nation and the Grandfathers 
of many small nations. Toward the southwest of the Great 
Hill in the mountain country lived the Nation of the 
Caves,** and they were Crooked-Tongues (Tadi-wen-no-de), 
t)ut stammered more. They had united with small bands 
of the Skillful Nation and built hills for their council 
houses and fires issued from the hills. To the southeast 



8. Hie Shawnees. 9. Moand Building IndUns. 10. The Mohawks. 11. The 

Onftidaib 12. Tlie Onondagaa. 18. The Gayugas. 14. The Senecas. 15. Bare Hill 

-on Caaandaigua lake. 16. The Neutral Nation. 17. Meaning fat face or wild cat. 

18. The Bries. 19. Hie Suaquehanna. 20. The Cheaapeake. 21. The Concstogaa or 

^Siuqoehannocks. 22. The Delawares. 23. The Cherokeea. 



LAST GBAND 8ACEBM OF THE I&OQVOIS 4^ 

sarrounded by nations speaking a tongue much like the 
Wanderers, lived the Nation of the Sunken Tree.** They 
were Ongwe but their heads had rolled away when the 
Ongwe-oweh were small and scattered. Their speech was^ 
much awry, for their throats were sick. 

''So lay the nations about the Chogwe-oweh, they were 
tiie Men of Men, when our Founder *^ came. It was he 
who gave peace and strength to the Men of Men and they 
alone are the Men of Men. All others lost their blood as- 
Men of Men when they failed to grasp with their arms the 
Council Tree. 

' ' The Mother of Nations, Yegowaneh, the Great Woman,. 
lived in a Long-House in the territory of the Cultivators. 
Her house was at Oniagara. The Cultivators were Crooked- 
Tongues and cousins of the Ongwe-oweh. In the dim 
distant past when the Turtle's back was small and the 
world was new all the Crooked-Tongues had been Oweh,. 
even as the Qngwe-oweh and as the nations grew and 
divided it was found that the first family and the Mother 
of the Nations fell to the Cultivators, the Atiwandaronk. 
So then thereafter the nations of them who were Oweb 
called the Great Woman, Yegowaneh, but through all gen- 
erations the Great Woman's name was Ji-kon-sa-seh, the 
Lynx. Now in the territory of the Cultivators there was 
no war. Bands of warriors passed from east to west and 
from west to east through the paths of the Cultivators 
and delivered Peace Belts to Yegowaneh. So likewise,, 
bands of warriors passed from south to north and from 
north to south through the territory of the Cultivators 
and delivered belts of peace because the Great Woman 
was the Mother of Naticms. She would provide food for 
the War Captains and then exhort them to follow the 
paths of peace since all men are brothers who are Oweh. 



24. The Tuicaroras. 25. Dekana^ideh. 



^6 LAST OBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

It was therefore said, 'The path of war mxis through the 
House of Peace.' 

''Thus were the Cultivators a peaceful people and no 
-one made war upon them lest the Oreat Mother be killed 
and the line cut off, so it was said in the old time. 

"But at length war was made and after several years 
of struggling the Nation of the Cultivators (they who had 
€om and tobacco) , was broken and the people who remained 
were taken beyond the Genesee and scattered through the 
Seneca villages. So was captured the Ye-go-a-neh, of the 
Ongwe-oweh, and thus the Mother of Nations was made a 
Seneca.'' 

In writing the story of those early days Cusick, the 
Tuscarora historian, tells much about this "Fire Queen," 
as he called her, and the part she played in the contest 
between the Neutrals and the Five Nations. Likewise iu 
the wampum codes of the Six Nations of the Iroquois, we 
are told that both Hiawatha, the Onondaga, and Deka- 
nowideh, the Wyandot, made their journeys to the tribes 
with the "Oreat Mother," Ji-gon-sa-seh, the Ea-kwah, and 
••consulted her in every important detail. Without the 
approval of this "mother of nations" and her sanction of 
Hiawatha's plans the integrity of the principles of the 
confederacy of the Five Nations could have been assailed. 
But Ji-gon-sanseh, who was regarded as a descendant of 
the first woman who came to earth, and as the direct 
descendant of the first Ye-go-wa-neh, the woman who was 
the mother of all the first ongwe was sacred to her people, 
for her word was law and her sanction was necessary in 
all political measures of inter-tribal importance. Elizabeth, 
the descendant of this honored line of "hoyaneh" women, 
held an honored place among the favored, and William 
was proud of his wife so gifted by ancestry. , His clan, the 
Turtle, was glad to have him unite with her. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF TEE IB0QU0I8 47 

iWilliam and Elizabeth were blessed with five sons and 
one daughter. They named them Levi, Nicholson, Caro- 
line, Ely, Spencer, and Isaac Newton. Each seems to have 
been a healthy normal youngster. They were brought up 
on the old-fashioned baby-board in strict accord with the 
ways of their fathers and mothers of ancient days. 

Elizabeth was a woman of such remarkable beauty and 
charming manner that travelers who stopped at the Parker 
home wrote the fact in their note-books. Of course she 
had never been to a white man's school and indeed had 
little knowledge of the English language. Nevertheless in 
the purely Indian way she was considered most accom- 
plished. She had a very sensitive nature but good control 
of her emotions. Many times she had strange, incompre- 
hensible impressions and there were times when she seemed 
Able to foretell events. 

William Parker was a hunter by instinct and had several 
fine guns. When the autumn's harvest had been gathered 
each year he would take his knapsack, shoulder his rifle 
and go off into the frosty October for a hunting trip. As 
Ely once wrote of his father, ^'he never lost his love of 
hunting until many years after this. He was fond of 
furnishing his table with juicy bear steaks and tender 
venison chops together with the plump quail and dry 
partridge. ' ' 

Likewise he never quite lost his love of a satisfactory 
horse deal, and it is even said that he once traded off a colt 
that could hardly stand because of a defect in its legs for 
a fine mare. This he did much to the chagrin of a rival 
horse fancier, who lost out in the bargain. He seemed to 
-enjoy the deal as a good one and laughed heartily after- 
wards, for he had once been cheated by this same horse 
trader. 

Traditions among the Tonawanda Indians tell us that 
l)efore Ely was bom his mother had a strange vision. 



48 LAST GBAND SACSEU OF THE IB0QU0I8 

Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Oonvene, who was adopted by the 
Senecas, found the tale and recorded it Likewise, John 
Habberton, sent by the New York Herald to investigate 
the condition of the New York Indians in 1891, fonnd it 
and placed it with the newspaper biographical material 
relating to General Parker. 

About four months before the birth of her son Ely, so 
the tradition runs, Elizabeth had a strange dream. It so 
impressed her that she consulted one of the ^' dream 
interpreters,'' or as the Senecas call them, ''djis-ga^- 
ta-ha." She related to him that she had dreamed that she 
was in Buffalo Beservation and near the Granger farm. It 
was winter, but strangely the sky opened from the middle, 
and, though it was snowing, a rainbow spread out, then 
it broke in the middle ; from one side were suspended signs 
with letters, like those seen over white men's stores." 

The man who could see inside dreams then told Elizabeth 
the meaning of her dream. It was a prophecy, he said. 
Then he added: 

''A son will be bom to you who will be distinguished 
among his nation as a peace-maker ; he will become a white 
man as well as an Indian. He will be a wise white man, 
but will never desert his Indian people, nor 'lay down 
his horns,' (sachem's title) as a great chief, his name 
will reach from the east to the west, the north to the 
south, as great among his Indian family and pale-faces. 
His sun will rise on Indian land and set on white man's 
land. Yet the ancient land of his ancestors wiU fold him 
in death/ '^^ 

Elizabeth had already two children, Levi and Carrie; 
Nicholson was bom later. With Carrie came the girl of 
the family, the future "name bearer" for the mother line 
of ancestry. The titles, clan and national rights of the 



20. See a full aceoant of thii tradition in ttxt Buffalo Expreu, Jan. 24, 1897. 
entitled "A Prophecy Follined.'* 






ll 






■Z's 



• •.. 



• • •. 



• • 



•• ••• 



• • 



• • • 
'• ••• 
• • • 



•• • 



•• • • 



• • 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 49 

Iroquois, as every student knows, descend through mother 
to daughter. Thus with the girl child was the fulfillment 
of the clan requirement. But what of the future son who 
was promised and of whom the strange prediction is said 
to have been made ? 



50 LAST OBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 



CHAPTER V 

BOYHOOD DATS ON THE EESEEVATION 

The trading store, where William Parker obtained the 
white man's staples used in his home and on his farm, was 
near the town of Buffalo, though Batavia was nearer and 
was a town larger than Buffalo.^ It was nearly thirty miles 
from his dwelling to the post, but what was thirty miles! 
His horses were good, indeed the best that any man had 
for miles around. When it came to a house he was an 
expert He often traded horses and was known as an 
expert judge. Thirty miles for his team was a holiday. 

Upon a certain occasion (it is not known even now what 
time of the year it was) it became necessary to journey 
to the trading post. It was thirteen years after the war 
and Buffalo had grown into an important center of trade. 
It had become a great center for the Indians, at least, and 
in its way, a wicked center. When William and Elizabeth 
with their "lumber "-wagon and team drove in they 
stopped at the agency where they were well-known and 
welcome guests. It must have been a tedious ride for 
Elizabeth over the rough uneven roads and in a springless 
wagon. It was the custom for the women to sit in the 
back of the wagon-box and upon a pad of blankets placed 
on a pile of hay. 

It is not recorded how long a visit was made at the 
agency but during the stay Elizabeth urged a sudden 
journey home. When home was reached a little son was 
bom. He was named Ely after a prominent white citizen 
of the day. It is certain that had the sudden journey not 
been made that the future sachem would have been bom 
near Buffalo town and upon the Buffalo Creek reservation. 



1. In 1826 Buffalo had a population of 2,412, and Batavla, 3,852. 



LAST OBAND SACHEM Qf. THE IROQUOIS 51 

the loved Do-sho-wey, ''the place of basswoods/' but the 
facts record his birth near Indian Falls, town of Pembroke, 
Oenesee County, in the year 1828. - 

When the young couple returned bringing a new baby 
brother to their three children there was great rejoicing at 
Tonawanda — and little Carrie had a new playmate. 

The Parker home was commodious enough for all the 
•children that came, as well as for the many white travelers 
who stopped, ate and slept freely. Then too there were 
the prominent Indians, the chiefs and headmen, not includ- 
ing just regular neighbors who happened to drop in to see 
the newest baby. There was but one word spoken at a sound 
-of a footfall at the door — ^it was ''da-djoh," enter. To 
support 80 large a table William had to be a mighty worker 
and so his acres grew until they extended on both sides of 
Tonawanda creek at the Indian Falls and crept eastward 
imtil they adjoined Elizabeth's own estate. The saw-mill 
which he owned and occasionally worked was just east of 
his farm on the south bank of the creek. 

And thus it was that the Parker home became the meet- 
ing place of the chiefs and warriors. Samuel Parker was 
•one of the fourteen chiefs of Tonawanda and so also was 
old Jemmy Johnson. Inasmuch as both were relatives it 
made William's home most convenient for them. 

Bed Jacket was a frequent visitor, since he was a mem- 
ber of the same clan as Elizabeth — ^the Wolf. Little Billy, 
Silver Heels, Blacksmith, Captain Pollard, Black Squirrel, 
Big Fire, Blue Sky, Black Chief, Black Snake, Sky Carrier, 
Tall Chief, Half Town, Twenty Canoes, Powder Horn, 
"Two Ouns, Big Kettle, Big Deer and Tall Peter, Sundown 
and many more all came and knew a welcome awaited them. 

It is interesting to note the characteristic of the Indians 
in their native expressions, their ideals and instincts are 
so different from those of the pale-face who came and 
urged his "virtues" as superior. The uncultured Seneca 



52 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IMOQVOIS 

believed that food like air was the gift of tiie Creator and 
should be sb free to the visitor as the spring water at the 
wayside. His religion taught kindness and hospitality to 
the peaoeful stranger and to the neighbor less f ortxinate ; 
it required that every adult or child who entered the door 
should have food placed before him. Every convenience 
of the home was at the disposal of those who entered the 
door. Then, the red man who claimed this hospitality had 
a knowledge of his own obligation not to claim more than 
the giver could easily give. Every man trusted the honor 
of the other and so no doors were locked. The simple 
expedient of placing a broom before the main entrance 
was the sign that the family was absent and the house not 
to be approached. There were, no house-breakers. It may 
seem strange to modem man that with every temptation to 
get things easily and freely that some men did not fall. 
But they did not because it neve(r occurred to them that 
one should possess the objects belonging to another any 
more than one man should steal another's arm or head. 
This arose out of the old communistic life and had ita 
basis in the fact that the Indian has developed no ' ' acquisi- 
tive instinct." The fifty sachems of the League were its 
poorest men, in worldly goods. They were hard workers 
and set an example of wisdom and industry to their people,. 
but the religious law required that to be ho-ya-neh, or 
'^ noble," one must give all he possessed to those who had 
less ability. Thus the rich man, the noble man, was the 
poor man. He felt that it was right to give of himself 
and of his ability that his people might benefit. A man 
might hold his sacred ''medicine" charm as a means of 
power but he never used his wealth of material substance 
as a lever to crush other men. The instinct was to give, 
not to get; to serve, not to be served. It was because of 
these inbred principles that William was willing and glad to 
use his strength and ability to produce for his friends and 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 53 

Tisitors. They would do the same for him. His good wife 
felt the same; she was ''ho-ya-neh/' and the proof of her 
nobility lay in her willingness to serve. 

Civilization has almost absolutely crushed out these finer 
native instincts. The white race has over-developed its 
desire to acquire until in modem America it amounts to 
madness and brings only misery. 

Ely was reared in this old atmosphere and early imbibed 
every fine principle of his people. His grandfather, 
Sos-he-o-wa, had become the successor of Handsome Lake, 
and therefore the chief priest of the Senecas. This fact 
had some disadvantage for it made the Parker family a 
member of the "progressive party," the **new religionists" 
who were opposed to the ancient religion of the Iroquois. 
But by the time of Ely's birth the new religion of 
Oaneodaiu or Handsome Lake, the brother of Complanter, 
had almost absorbed the older party. 

The Senecas were in a critical stage. Everything was 
uncertain. The steady inrush of white settlers brought a 
feeling of hopelessness. Nothing seemed true or certain 
any longer. The settlers were Christians but violated every 
rule the missionaries taught the Indians as Christianity. 
This led to confusion. Confusion came when it was seen 
that no great calamity came from changing from the old 
religion to the new. Confusion came when some of the 
Indians dropped their ** paganism" for Christianity. 
Nothing seemed certain. The old law said "give;" the 
new law said "get." The old law said "talk with one 
tongue and trust thy neighbor;" the new law was, "say 
one thing and artfully mean another, use two tongues and 
distrust your neighbor." So, demoralization grew. Then 
came the loss of native industries. The Senecas became 
dependent largely upon articles which they either did not 
or could not produce. Even their arts became demoralized 
to a certain extent. Their basketry and bead-work was 



54 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQVOIS 

commercialized. It was made to sell to the whites in the 
surrounding towns. Every move and every relation that 
the Senecas had with the whites seemed only to bring 
greater demoralization to the Indians in all lines, civic, 
social, moral and industrial. The simple ethics of the red 
man were overwhelmed — asphyxiated, in the new atmos* 
phere. 

The Senecas had long been farmers on an immense scale, 
as is attested by all the French and English explorers 
who came among them. Their extensive cornfields were 
described by every writer and military invader who visited 
them. Every one of the journals of Sullivan's campaign 
records the large agricultural lands of the Iroquois. Sulli- 
van 's campaign, with all the misery it brought, carried with 
it also a destruction of the old agricultural pursuits. The 
Senecas wandering down the Allegheny or Cattaraugus, 
became for a time hunters and the garden patches were 
small, just large enough to support the family and no 
more. The land was not well cleared as it had been in the 
Genesee country and beyond. They had lost that now. 

True, Broadhead found some remarkable fields on the 
Allegheny settlements when he made his raid on the settle- 
ments there. In his report to General Washington he 
reported the destruction of $30,000 worth of com and said 
that with the burning of the towns it took him three days. 
He added, *'I never saw finer com." 

After these destructive raids the Senecas relied more on 
the chase for a livelihood. Broken-hearted, the men pene- 
trated the heavy forests and fought for existence in the 
wilds. The Allegheny country was the great hunting- 
ground and hundreds of hunting parties swarmed both 
sides of the valley from Bradford to "Warren. Many went 
down as far as Pittsburg but there was no legitimate excuse 
for going so far unless it was because rum by the barrel 
^was cheaper there. 



LAST GMAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QV0I8 55 

The Parker boys were reared in the old Indian way. At 
birth they were plunged in cold water and then wrapped 
or rolled in a blanket Each was reared upon a baby board 
such as Indians use. Ely's cradle-board for many years 
was shown in the New York State Museum but was burned 
in the Capitol fire, March 29, 1911. 

During their youth each boy was compelled to bathe 
often, summer or winter. During cold weather they were 
compelled to do this even if they had to break the ice to 
take a dip. In the summer they took what is known as 
the sweat bath. A small dome-shaped tepee was erected 
of bent saplings, covered with blankets. In a fire built 
outside, "hard head" rocks or fossiliferous stones were 
heated. These were raked inside with a hooked stick and 
dropped in a little pit. The bather than dipped water 
from a pail or bark receptacle and poured it on the stones. 
This caused cloud after cloud of steam to rise and the 
''bather" would sweat and steam until he thought himself 
perfectly clean. Companions would rub his skin with a 
brush or with sand and then all would suddenly burst 
from the sweat lodge and jump into a near-by stream. 
After swimming for a few moments they would emerge, 
roll up in a blanket and take a nap. The Parker boys 
often did this on the banks of the Tonawanda. 

Visitors in western New York, who saw such practices, 
thought the pile of stones were altars, and the sweat lodges, 
shrines for worship. One missionary left an interesting 
account of his idea of what in reality was only a group of 
Indian boys taking a bath.^ 

There had been little change in the costumes of the 
people since the "War of 1812. "When Ely went to the little 
Baptist Mission School at Tonawanda, the Senecas were 
still wearing blankets. Most of the men wore long hair. 



2. 8m PnblicatioM of the Buffalo Bfstorical Society, Hyde; Yot YI, p. liZ. 



56 LABT GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 

divided into two braids. A few of the warriors still shaved 
or burned the hair from their heads with the exception of 
the sealp'lock. The picturesque cap, covered with feathers, 
was still in vogue, though now the material was oftener 
red or blue broad-cloth or a fancy silk handkerchief, 
fastened over a wooden frame. The head-band was often 
of quill work in chaste colors or more often fretted in 
design from beaten silver. The more progressive wore tall 
beaver or **plug'' hats over the tall crown of which they 
placed band after band of silver, the number indicating 
the wealth of the individual, in silver crowns, at least. 
Even the women wore these tall beaver hats, crowns and 
all. Fancy the appearance of Elizabeth Parker, direct 
descendant of Ji-gon-sa-seh, compeer of Hiawatha, dressed 
in a ''stove-pipe" hat! And yet it is said she had one. 

The Indians early held that a thing was valuable only 
as it could be used. Gold and silver meant nothing when 
in the form of money, in the earliest days of pristine ignor- 
ance. So they beat them into plates and fretted out 
brooches and buckles. The custom continued many years 
after they had been taught the white man's use for his 
round pieces of white and yellow metal. The silver brooch 
fad had a firm hold on the Iroquois and they kept many 
native silversmiths busy in making them. The women used 
them as dress ornaments and as buttons. A wealthy woman 
often had a peck or more. 

It is interesting to note that the leggins worn by the 
men in times of peace were not fringed at the side at all. 
The seam was in front and a decorated band ran along 
the seam and around the bottom. Only the warriors wore 
fringed leggins, but more often they merely twisted their 
peace leggins around and tied a garter below the knee. A 
breech clout was worn, being either of buckskin or broad- 
cloth, but sometimes a doeskin or broadcloth kilt was worn 
instead. This was usually the case when men went bare- 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IS0QU0I8 57 

chested. The skirt at this period was either of cloth or 
of light cotton, according to the season. In general form it 
followed the pattern of the earlier buckskin garments, but 
was without fringe. There was one material difference, 
however. The more modem shirts had sleeves. The broad 
sashes were still worn and decorated bags or pockets had 
not gone out of fashion. The men had a neglige habit of 
dressing for comfort and no one among their own people, 
at least, thought any convention violated by such a natural 
desire. Often they wore only the long shirt that reached 
nearly to the knees, a cap and a pair of moccasins. As 
often they wore only a pair of leggins and a kilt, leaving 
the chest bare. Still if a man appeared in a breech clout 
and a blanket and a cotton e-yuse (sheet), it was merely 
thought that he was keeping cool, if anything was thought 
at all. The day had not yet dawned for these simple-minded 
folk when it was to be learned that the human body is a 
thing disgraceful, diocking, immodest ! They saw no wrong 
in the form that the Creator had molded as His supreme 
expression. If they wore more clothing when they went to 
the trading posts or to the towns it was because they knew 
it was the style and not because they thought it immoral 
to reveal their bodies. 

When the cap, the gus-to-weh, was not worn by the men, 
the hair was neatly brushed and parted and a feather or 
two placed in the crown where the braids united. Married 
women wore a single braid, doubled up and tied. There 
was a fastening barette used, made of a piece of wood, 
covered with decorated buckskin. It resembled the object 
called by archeologists the goi^et. It had two holes for 
fastening and was worn up and down, though when silk 
ribbons came into vogue it was worn across so as to 
resemble the extended ends of a bow. Unmarried women 
wore two braids and were careful to color the scalp where 
the parting of the hair revealed it. They considered it 



58 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 

good etiquette to paint their cheeks red, providing every* 
one could see the paint. And here is a toilet secret not 
f onnd in any book on Indians, notwithstanding the vigilant 
researches of ethnologists. It is about the face powder the 
Seneca women used. It was not white, you may be sure. 
It was red and made from the pulverized, dry-rot of the 
inner portion of the pine. It had a delicate fragrance and 
gave the skin a smooth velvety finish, absorbing all the 
natural oils and mosture. Milady was vain, even in those 
simple days, but it was only natural. 

No Iroquois woman, or any other Indian woman, ever 
wore a war bonnet or a feather in her hair. Sometimes^ 
she wore a simple headband or a tight cap, but an upright 
feather, never. She would as soon shave her head and 
deny her sex as ''stick a feather in her cap." It waff 
purely a masculine prerogative. The feather in an Indian 
woman's hair is a creation of the Wild "West show. The 
real Seneca woman of old wore a head-throw of doeskin, a 
cap or more often only her shining black tresses, well oiled 
with sunflower oil or bear's grease. 

When Ely Parker became of school age he was named 
Ha-san-no-an-da, meaning The Reader.' His youngest 
brother Nicholson was named Gai-e-wa-gowa or Great Mes- 
sage. Their sister Carrie was known as Ga-ho-na, meaning 
the Blue-bell. Then there was the older brother Levi, and 
Isaac Newton. From the very beginning these children man- 
ifested their own individuality. Each developed naturally 
in his and her own way. The only direction they had from 
their parents was, ''Learn all you can." Their father at 
least was a progressive in his desires for his children, but 
his own talents were used mostly in raising wheat and 
horses. He never had had the opportunity for attending 
school. Thus it was that Ely early acquired a primary 



8. Sometimes translatedi "The Name that leadi." 



LAST GBAND 8ACEEM OF THE IMOQVOIS 5^ 

Bchooling, and was grateful for the help the missionaries 
gaye him. He was a keen observer, and the things of his* 
time impressed him indelibly, young as he was. He saw 
the bark houses gradually giving way to substantial log. 
cabins and the buckskin garment supplanted by cloth. 
This was the result of civilization's mad on-rush. 

The bark cabins in his early days were at least well 
ventilated; the log cabins were not always so, unless a big 
fireplace yawned up an equally large chimney. There 
were many bark houses along the Allegheny and a few at 
Cattaraugus. 

The old custom of burial had not entirely given way to- 
the white man's method. The body was wrapped in 
blankets and tied in a covering of bark. Some of the older 
people even requested to be doubled up in their graves^ 
on one side as if sleeping, others widied to be placed in » 
tree for a year. There were tree ''burials" at Cattaraugus 
and Allegheny at late as 1838. 

The social and religious side of the Senecas was interest- 
ing and varied, and of this we shall later speak. 

The region about the falls of the Tonawanda is full of 
the mysteries of the old days. There are strange ledges 
of rock, ghostly clumps of trees, places where ancient people 
seem once to have dwelt; and there was the mysterious 
spirits' pond. 

All the Parker boys had visited that strange lake of 
spirits, whose waters seemed to glisten with enchantment. 
Indeed, it lay only a short way from their home at the 
falls, and at the foot of a high cliff, that rises almost fifty 
feet in places. Not only have Indians looked with awe- 
upon this little sheet of water, but white men as well have 
felt the terrors suggested by its uncertain depths. No less 
a Christian than Bev. Samuel Kirkland looked at it and 
recalling the traditions, shrunk from touching it, and* 
hurried on. This was a century and a quarter ago. The 



^ LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

story he had heard was that the pond was inhabited by a 
great serpent, known to the Indians as Sais-tah-go-wa. It 
disgorged balls of fire and required a constant tribute of 
sacred tobacco. 

The Parker boys knew a better tale and their mother in 
warning them away from its dangerous shores told them 
the legend of Spirit Lake. She told the story of the maiden 
who was offered as a sacrifice to this under- water monster. 
Her lover, that he might be with her in death as in life, 
entered the canoe and pushed it from the shore, flinging 
^de the paddle and folding his arms when the great 
homed serpent lifted his head above the water. Some 
hostile Indians who had come to attack the Tonawanda's 
village saw the situation and tried to kill the underwater 
dweller, but failed. Their arrows only broke against its 
scales. So it bore the lover and the maiden far down 
beneath the waters; and even now, on certain evmings, 
their voices can be heard as they rise above the waters as 
spirit people. Even now the homed monster lifts his heail 
to survey the landscape and claim his sacrificial herb. In 
the boyhood days of Ely Parker, oftentimes the old men 
offered their tokens and the Society of Charm Holders held 
dark dances in the night, lest Sais-tah-go-wa become angry. 

This pond might become a source of a fine water supply 
to the town of Medina, but the villagers there, affected by 
the traditions of the red men, seem inclined to turn else- 
where for this element. 

There are many strange traditions hovering over this 
region and all of them have been faithfully handed down 
by the story-tellers of the family. Sos-he-o-wa was insistent 
that his children and grandchildren learn them all ; and so 
Elizabeth told them to her boys. 

We should like to repeat some of these traditions but 
perhaps they ought to be told in a book of legends, rather 
than in a simple biography. One story, which was news 



5- S 









•• ••• 



• • • • 

• • • • • 

• • • • 



• •' • 



• • 












• •• • 



LAST GMAND SACHEM OF THE IMOQUOIS 61 

in those days, however, should be related for it was gossiped 
about the Parker fireside in the years of the early '30 's,. 
and its dramatic incidents happened but a little way from, 
their own doorstep. It is of importance, too, to those whO' 
liye there today, for it explains the ghosts that hover about 
the haunted comers. 

A little below the village of Akron runs a picturesque 
stream known as Murder Creek. It was a stream fre- 
quented by the Indians, who appreciated its beauty. One 
of their trails led across it at the Sulphur spring. In later 
yeans a mill-dam was erected just above the spring, but 
the locality with the Senecas always kept its ancient name,. 
De-on-go-te, ''the place of hearing." It was so named 
because the roar of Oa-sko-sa-dah, the falls at Falkirk,, 
could be heard with great distinctness. The banks of the 
stream and the tall forsets seemed to wall in the thunder 
and hold it there to rumble on the ears of the traveler. 
Here another trail ran on to another stream two miles 
farther west Like its larger brother, this stream had a 
waterfall, and a hidden waterway beneath its bed. It 
was called Wai-out-hah Oahonda, sometimes translated^ 
''Stream with the beautiful falls." 

In the spring of the early '20 's a white man named John 
Dolph came from the Mohawk country and built his cabin 
a stone's throw from the Wai-out-hah. Here Dolph with 
Peter Van Deventer intended to build a saw-mill. 

On a certain October evening, Mr. Dolph spread his mill 
plans on his kitchen table in order to discuss them with his 
good wife, who was rocking the baby boy in a cradle near 
the fire. Suddenly a piercing shriek was heard in the 
woods outside. The agonizing cry was repeated again and 
sounded nearer. Flinging open the door Dolph saw the 
figure of an Indian girl rushing toward his cabin. Dashing^ 
in, she fell to the floor moaning breathlessly, ' ' Oh, save me, 
save me!" 



4a LAST OBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

Dolph dosed aad barred the door and had no sooner 
<bne so than the burly voice of a man was heard and then 
the clamor of his fists on the door. ''Let me ini Let me 
in !" he cried as he threw his weight against it 

"You can't come in by trying in any such way," called 
out Dolph, at the same time motioning his wife to conceal 
the Indian girl. 

Mrs. Dolph lifted up a trap door and led the trembling 
girl into the mouth of a cavern. Dolph, with mudcet in 
hand, then advanced to the door and asked the intruder 
what business he had. 

''My name is Sanders," said the man, "and that girl is 
a prisoner, whom I am to deliver to the authorities at 
Grand river, Canada. Her father, a chief placed her in 
my hands, because she is wayward and wishes to marry a 
bad Indian. Now let me in, gentleman, please." 

Mr. Dolph unbarred the door and the stranger entered, 
looked around but saw no sign of his prey. Olancing 
upward he saw an attic opening and a ladder leading to it. 
Dolph handed him a lighted candle and somewhat nervously 
Sanders went up but soon came down, angry and excited. 

"Give up that girl, she's here, I saw her come in," he 
snarled. "Where is your cellar?" he asked, glancing down 
at the floor. 

Dolph removed a bit of carpet, handed the stranger a 
candle and bade him descend, but he found no trace of the 
girl and no visible outlet of escape, save to the room above. 
He flew into a rage and muttering threats as he came up 
the ladder, "she shall not escape me; I shall find her yet," 
he exclaimed as he walked out into the darkness, to watch 
if he could any suspicious actions at the house. 

It was not long before he saw Mr. and Mrs. Dolph creep 
down the side of the gorge and enter a clump of bushes. 

Sanders had said that he was going to Canfield Tavern 
on the Buffalo road, and thus Dolph did not believe he was 



LAST GRAND SACHBM OF THE IBOQUOIS 63 

uratched. He acanned the path, the woods and stream, but 
saw no one. A dark figure in the shadow of a great pine 
escaped his eye. So together the Dolphs went out and crept 
into the outside entrance of the cavern, which lay a few 
rods north of the falls, part way down on the right bank. 
Looking around again in the darkness they satisfied them- 
selves that they were unobserved. The October moon, 
though bright, could not pierce the depths beneath the 
autumn foliage. They entered the chamber, stooped low 
and crept on until they came to a high-arched cavern. 
There they saw the Indian girl, asleep from pure exhaus- 
tion. Alt the sound of a foot-fall she awakened and in 
wild-eyed alarm exclaimed, ** Where is her* Mrs. Dolph 
allayed the girl's fears and drew from her the story of her 
unhappy adventure. Mr. Uriah Cummings, long the local 
historian of Akron, relates this strange tale as he found it 
in Mr. Dolph 's own records. We draw upon his version 
for the girl's story. 

^'My name," said the girl, '*is Ah-weh-hah, which in the 
language of the pale-face is Wild-rose. My home is near 
Spirit Lake, under the cliff about a mile below the Tona- 
wanda FaUs. I live there with my aged father, who is a 
chief of the Senecas and his name is Gh)-wah-na, meaning 
'The Great Fire.' 

''My mother has been dead several years, and my poor 
old father has just been murdered by that dreadful man 
Sanborn, from whom I had escaped when you opened your 
door and allowed me to enter. 

''For more than a year this dreadful man has been 
hovering around Spirit Lake trying to get a chance to 
talk with me. He has ui^ed me to marry him, but my 
Gray Wolf, my Tah-yoh-ne, is very dear to me and I was 
to become his wife very soon. But this man Sanders 
declared to me, that sooner than see me the wife of the 



44 LAST OS AND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

Seneca brave, he would murder me and all who stood in his 
way. 

''My father, thinking to avoid trouble, said he would 
take me to the Cattaraugus nation where I would be among 
friends and Tah-yoh-ne could join me there, and thus could 
we be free from the annoyance of Sanders' threats and 
entreaties. 

''I have had much to do to restrain Tah-yoh-ne from 
meeting this vile man Sanders. By much entreaty I have 
induced Tah-yoh-ne to do no harm to the wicked monster, 
for should they meet and should the pale-face fall, the 
authorities would not listen to anything we might say in 
defense of my brave Tah-yoh-ne. They would say he was 
guilty of murder and must be punished. 

''It was this morning that my dear father came to me 
and told me to prepare for a journey to Cattaraugus. 

"Soon all was ready and we started on foot, taking the 
old trail, the Wah-ah-gwen-ne, leading on to Te-os-ah-wah, a 
place called 'Buffalo' by your people. 

"We had reached the De-on-go-te QfJi-hun-da and had 
sat down to rest and listen to the wondrous Gah-sko- 
sah-dah, when suddenly we saw the man Sanders close 
upon the trail behind us. 

**My poor aged father trembled with fear and apprehen- 
sion, for he saw the look of wicked triumph in the hard 
face ; and the offensive manner of the cruel intruder boded 
nothing but evil for us." 

After a brief interval in which the young Indian girl 
had indulged in paroxysms of grief and anguish, Mrs. 
Dolph had taken her hand and endeavored to soothe and 
quiet her, she at last continued her painful story. 

"Suddenly the entire manner of the man was changed. 
He seemed to have relented, and was sorry for his past 
conduct. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 65 

' ' He smilingly came forward and extending one hand to 
my poor old father and his other hand to me, he said he 
wished us to banish from our minds entirely all thoughts 
of evil intent on his part ; that he had made up his mind 
to eeaae trying to persuade me to marry him; that he 
hoped I would be happy with the brave Tah-yoh-ne.; that 
he had decided to leave all behind him, and seek a home in 
the far West and there try to forget his great love for me ; 
that he hoped idl would be forgiven and forgotten; and 
that even now he was on his way to the great unknown 
West ; he had not thought of seeing us again, but now that 
we were going in the same direction, he would do all he 
could to make us remember this journey with pleasure. 

' ' The man spoke so pleasantly that we were deceived as 
you shall soon learn. 

''My father was so pleased at the turn of affairs that he 
invited Sanders to journey as far as On-tar-o-ga, todays 
he said that as soon as we reached that ' place of hills and 
rocks' we would build our campfire, prepare our evening* 
meal and there rest until morning. To all this Sanders 
readily assented. 

''And now as the details were settled, we lingered long- 
at the De-on-go-te Ga-hun-da. 

"The moon came up bright and dear; the thunder of the 
Gah-sko-sah-dah came rolling down the valley and the 
time passed pleasantly, as Mr. Sanders can be very enter- 
taining whenever he chooses to be. 

"Finally we resumed our journey. We followed the 
Wah-ah-gwen-ne westward and came on up through the 
valley of the Wun-ne-pa-tuc and on up the trail leading 
westerly out of the valley, and on to the hills of On-tar-o-ga. 
Presently we came to the accustomed camping-place and 
soon we had a fire started and our evening meal disposed 
of, and my dear father sat before the fire contented and 
happy. 



66 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

' ' I had arisen and was looking eastward when I thoughir 
I saw a light across the head of the valley and not far 
away. At that instant I heard a blow struck, followed by 
a groan, and quickly turning I saw my poor father lying 
prostrate on the ground, face downward, with that fiend 
Sanborn standing over him with an uplifted club in his 
hands. 

^'With the look of a demon the brute sprang toward me 
intent upon murdering me also. With a shriek of despair 
and desperation I fled into the forest with the mad man 
close behind me, brandishing his club and vowing he would 
brain me. As I ran, it came to me about seeing the light 
through the trees, and as well as I could I fled in the direc- 
tion of the light. I ran until I came upon the bridge over 
the Wun-ne-pa-tue and there your light was in plain view, 
and I gathered up all my remaining strength and as I ran 
I cried, *Save me,' when your door was suddenly opened 
for me with the fiend not ten steps behind me. You know 
the rest. ' ' 

Ah-weh-hah was a beautiful maiden, so the Dolphs 
thought, so during her story, they resolved to keep and 
protect her. She was tall, aad her perfect teeth, her soft- 
reddish brown complexion, her expressive black eyes and 
her long black hair betokened an Indian maiden of the 
finest type. Her refined manner and soft voice indicated 
that she had been carefully trained as a woman of the 
ho-ya-neh class. 

Mr. Cummings, who gives her conversation from the 
Dolph records, says it may seem incredible that this young 
Indian girl should have a command of English but he 
believes that Mr. Dolph 's records must be correct. The 
real answer is that Ah-weh-hah was a student in the mission 
school at Tonawanda, where the Seneca youth obtained the 
rudiments of an English education. 



LAST GRAND 8ACHSM OF THE IM0QU0I8 67 

The old chief, whose name no previous historian has 
fpiven, was Big Fire, a veteran of the War of 1812. His 
lK>dy was found by Mr. Dolph in exactly the same spot as 
described by the girl. There too, he found the smouldering 
remains of the campfire. Ever since the day of his murder 
the cross-trail there has been known as the Haunted Cor- 
ners. The spot is at the east side of Cumming's Park. 

Dolph after his horrible discovery took the trail for his 
partner's tavern. When moroing came Van Deventer and 
Dolph buried the remains of the victim of Sander's 
treachery. The murderer had taken the Buffalo stage at 
midnight 

When Dolph returned home he found the Indian girl 
delirious. The news of the tragedy and of Ah-weh-hah's 
•escape had reached the ears of the Indians and Tah-yoh-ne 
hastened to the refuge of his unhappy sweetheart. Ah- 
weh-hah was overjoyed at seeing Gray Wolf and begged 
that he go with her to the grave of her father. So together 
they journeyed over the trail until they stood by the newly- 
made mound. Here, together they chanted the death song, 
as a last token of their affection. A grave fire was lighted 
and the sacred tobacco incense rose to lift the burden of 
their prayer to the Maker-of-AlL 

While thus absorbed in their funeral devotions, a sudden 
«tep was heard and Sanders jumped from the under- 
brush, ax in hand. Wolf grabbed his tomahawk and then 
began a terrible struggle. Losing their weapons in the 
fray each grabbed their hunting-knives and tore each 
other's flesh until the blood ran down in gushing streams. 
Then came a pause and the white man fell backward, dead. 

Prostrate, and sickened by the awful sight, lay the 
girl. Wolf tried to speak but his lips were sealed. He 
was too weak to comfort his horrified sweetheart, and she 
too weak from the shock to rise to go to him. He staggered 
forward and fell. He too had perished at the graveside of 



68 LAST OBAND SACHEM OF TES IBOQUOIS 

her father. With an agonused cry that piereed the forests 
depths she gave vent to her horror and grief. Mr. Dolph 
heard the cry and ran the quarter mile to find what new 
tragedy had occurred. There he found the unhappy Wild 
Rose, on her knees, swaying back and forth as sh^ moaned 
between her sobs the death chant As she looked upward 
at Dolph her grief-stricken expression revealed such a 
depth of sorrow that he records l^at he felt her mind must 
soon give way. 

As she followed him back to his cabin his fears he found 
were realissed. She was incoherent and dazed. Dolph, with 
the help of a neighbor, buried the two bodies, the Wolf near 
the Chief and the white man -s a little to one side. 

Often the Wild Rose would visit Ae graves of her father 
and lover to weep and to chant her grief. Mr. Dolph 
recorded her song as he heard it : 

"Oh, my Gray Wolf, my Tah-yoh-ne, 
Do yon hear the Wild Boae oallhig, 
Hear the. song of your Ah-weh-hah, 
Hear her tell yon hoiw her heart aehesf 
Why did not the brave Tah-yoh-ne 
Take his lonely Wild Rose with him. 
O, eome back, my own Tah-yoh-ne, 
For my heart is breaking, breaking. 

You win wait for me, my Gray Wolf; 
For I Bocm shaU eome to join you. 
O, my Gray Wolf, my Tah-yoh-ne, 
Hear the yoiee of your Ah-weh-hah, 
Only wait a few days longer 
And I then will walk beside you." 

When one day the Dolphs missed the Wild Rose they 
went out to the graveyard so tragically called into existence 
and there th^r found her, lying upon the grave of Gray 
Wolf, lying cold and lifeless. And so beside his grave they 
buried her. Many were the sincere tears they shed as their 
tender qnnpathies reached out in grief for the unhappy 
Ah-weh-hah. 



LAST GSAND 8ACEBM OF THE IE0QU018 69 

Now as in former days the lover of midnis^t strolls may 
hear the voices of the two lovers as they wander over the 
modem dnst of the ancient trail. The ghosts of the father 
and the murderers never come back to earth — ^they who 
come are only the spirits of the lovers whom destiny for- 
bade a marriage in the earth life, but whom death united in 
a bond that the years have not broken. 

For many years the story of Big Fire's murder was told 
at the Parker fireside and the tale of the unhappy Ah- 
weh-hah never failed to bring tears to the eyes of those 
who heard it. It had one moral to the Indians; it was: 
^'Look out for white man.'' But as ever, the warning was 
in vaiu; for as the traditions run^ ''White man very cun- 
ning, he get you pretty soon." 

The tragedy of Ah-weh-hah was the tragedy of the 
people. The white man was on their trail. The ''land 
sharks" had found them, and a life and death struggle 
for l^eir homes was in progress. The child Ely passed 
quickly from the old stories, the ancient traditions of his 
people, to these new stories of wrong. As a child the need 
of a decisive action had often to be met, and it seemed to 
have found him ready. 

Because of the unhappy conditions among his people 
Ely, when ten years old, decided to run away. The whole 
nation was in the utmost confusion. By a system of high- 
handed fraud every foot of land the Senecas had was 
signed away and the order came, "March West." The 
stoutest heart felt the clutching of emotions that could not 
be concealed. There were bickerings and quarrelings and 
the people were in a pitiful situation. Ely did not wish 
to stay in a country where confusion, deceit and trickery 
existed. He resolved to go to Canada where the followers 
of Brant lived, and to join the Six Nations band on the 
Orand river. His father consented and he went, accom- 
panied by an older man, a friend of his father. 



70 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

Every chief of the Tonawanda band of Senecas had 
refused to sign the treaty, had refused to accept the bribes 
of the Ogden Land Company's agents and had spumed 
every overture. Only a single name of a Tonawanda chief 
appeared on the fraudulent treaty, that being forged. 

The story of this effort of the C^en Land Company to- 
obtain the lands of the New York Indians is a sad one, and 
the results did much to stimulate Ely Parker and other 
young men of his time to acquire an education and fight 
for their people. Among these were Maris B. Pierce and 
Peter Wilson, both of whom graduated later from Dart- 
mouth College. 



LAST OSAND SACBBU OF THE IS0QU0I8 



CHAPTER VL 

« ■ 

THE WAY THE TWIG WAS BENT. 

Grand river in ancient times was one of the great water 
routes of the Neuter nation. On its banks once lived 
branches of the Hurons and later the Mississaga Chip- 
pewas. tt was a tract of land on either side of Grand river, 
from its mouth to its source that Captain Joseph Brant 
selected for his followers when he led them across the 
Niagara line and back under the British flag. He selected 
a garden spot and his followers soon settled down to the 
work of re-establishing the League of the Five Nations — 
or six, as there were then. 

He concentrated the gathered tribes about the site of his 
town, now known as Brantford, Ontario. Here later was 
built his church to which Queen Anne gave a solid silver 
communion service and the hand-carved coat-of-arms of 
England. 

This gathering of the Mohawks with the Onondagas, the 
Oneidas, the Cayugas, the Tuscaroras, and a few hundred 
Senecas, together with the broken captive tribes, such as 
the Tutelos, the Brothertowns, the Delawares and Nanti- 
cokes, made possible a new ''Long House" of the Iroquois. 
They still remembered their old laws and traditions and 
under Brant's inspiration soon had a closely knit and 
centralized government patterned upon the laws of Hia- 
watha and Deganowideh. New sachems were ' ' raised up ' ^ 
and the council fire of the "great peace," as the league was 
called, was kindled afresh. It was a new country and gave 
abundant promise for the fulfillment of the old hopes. 

In pitiful contrast stood the broken dissipated tribes in 
New York whose government had been wrested from the 



72 LAST GBAND 8ACHSM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

civil sachems and seized by the war chiefs. Their attempt 
to maintain the ancient League seemed only a pretensel 

It is little wonder that many of the New York Iroquois 
stepped away to Grand river and became members of the 
new council fire. It is little wonder that the tales of the 
^'new hope" sunk deeply into the mind of the boy Ely 
and that he too wished to live as his fathers UkA lived 
before him. After an ardent plea to his parents, he was 
allowed to go. He was ten when he made the trip. An 
older friend went with him and promised to teach him 
all the mysteries of woodcraft and hunting. 

He learned many other mysteries than hunting. He 
learned the lore of his ancestors. He visited all the long 
houses, for each nation had one or more, and thus became 
thoroughly acquainted with the rites and ceremonies of 
each tribe. Th« beginning which his early training at 
Tonawanda had given him thus expanded and he early 
became an adept in interpreting one Iroquois dialect into 
another. Indeed he gave so much attention to his hunting 
and woodcraft and his learning of the old ways that he 
straightway forgot all he had learned at the mission school 
at home! 

During his stay at Grand river he had an opportunity 
to go to an Oneida settlement on the river Thames, where 
his uncle Samuel's wife had relatives. There he had an 
opportunity of going out on trips with horse-buyers. Soon 
he had a job of driving horses to tbe Canadian military 
post at London. For nearly a year he worked as a hostler's 
boy. Then came an order at the fort to deliver a number 
of horses to the military post at Hamilton. These were 
to be delivered under the charge of two or three English 
oiBcers. Ely went along as one of the party. It was a 
long, wearisome journey despite the shifting scenes and 
adventures by the way, and thus the officers, no doubt 
duly impressed by their superior English ancestry, sought 




LAST GRAND 8ACBEM OF TUB IMOQUOia 73 

to amuse themaelves at the expense of the Indian boy, who 
derstood the king's English'' so imperfectly. They knew 
nothing of Ufi ancestry nor dreamed him of far more royal 
blood than themselves. They indeed were petty officers in 
a proYinoial regiment and gloated in their superior rank. 
He was an Indian boy, indeed, but the heir to a sachem- 
ship in the League^of the Iroquois. But he felt no vanity 
because of it. He once told the writer about one of his 
boyhood journeys to Hamilton, aifd told how the rude jests 
galled him. Later, too, he mentioned the subject in a brief 
autobiography which he left in manuscript form in his 
desk. 

He could not reply or ''get back" at his tormentors, who 
as he says, jested from good nature and from pure desire 
for fun, rather than malice. These jests and sharp thrusts 
they gave him were of highest importance in determining 
his character and did much to arouse his ambition. In the 
long lonesome ride he did a great deal of thinking. He 
tells us that he resolved not only to continue his education 
but to become a master of the Englidi tongue. More than 
this, he resolved to know that language so well that he 
could talk as brilliantly as any Englishman could. Who 
knows but that there was a latent resolution to become an 
army officer some day, in rank far above the jesting sub- 
alterns who drove horses t Thus with these new-bom 
ambitions to achieve glory, that he might show white men 
what he could do he resolved to return to his home in the 
Tonawanda valley and begin his struggle for achievement. 

He walked all the way from Hamilton to Buffalo and 
thence to Tonawanda. He was a broad-shouldered strap- 
ping boy and thought nothing of the trip^ except perhaps 
that he wished he could make greater speed. When he 
eagerly related his hopes to his father he found that while 
he met with warm encouragement he could expect no 
financial help from him. Nevertheless he told the good 



74 LAST 6SAND SACEEM OF THE IS0QU0I3 

missionaries what he desired and found them in sympathy 
with him. He reviewed his old studies and pushed forward 
until he outgrew their ability to teach him more. He had 
then qualified himself to enter an advanced school. He 
entered the Yates academy of which he wrote appreciatively 
in later years: 

''Here I pn^ressed irregularly but well in all my 
studies, and having no Indian companionship, I advanced 
perceptibly and rapidly in the use of the English language. 
The school was eminently respectable and the association 
was therefore good. It was non-sectarian and permitted 
freedom of religious thought and action. It was a mixed 
school and the association of the sexes had a refining^ 
elevating tendency. I can recall my stay here as amonir 
the happiest days of my youthful existence." 

At this time his brother Nicholson and his sister Carrie^ 
almost equally ambitious, were studying in Pembroke. 
Genesee county. 

There are many records of the progress of the Parkers 
in their school careers, in the form of essa3rs and other 
papers written during their school days, and through these 
documents it is easy to see that absence from home- 
sharpened their devotion to their race and gave them a 
higher viewpoint than they ever could have had by remain- 
ing on the reservation. There is little doubt, too, that 
their ardent arguments in behalf of their fated race did 
much to mold the minds of their fellow students in their 
opinions of the Indian and his capacity. 

Ca3ruga Lake in ancient days was a favorite region for 
the wandering tribes that passed through the country of 
the Finger Lakes. The many sites of ancient camps and 
Indian villages attest this. Later the Cayuga Nation 
clustered about it and many silent tokens of these people 
are still found there to tell the story of other days. 



LAST GBAND 8ACBEM OF THE IE0QU013 75^ 

The beauty of this regrion as seea by the Bevolutionary 
soldiers under Major Sullivan attracted them and despite- 
solemn treaties which assured the Cayugas that they might 
live there ''forever," the land was gradually purchased 
for small sums until the Ca3rugas had left only a 64,000- 
acre tract at the foot of the lake. 

The country was thus opened to settlement and the first 
town to be founded was Aurora on the east bank, midway. 
A beautiful spot, Aurora is associated with many interest- 
ing facts in our history of minor things. It was here on 
November 21, 1818, that Lewis Henry Morgan, historian- 
of the Iroquois, was bom. The most famous academy irr 
Western New York was situated at Aurora and it was at 
this Cayuga Academy that Morgan received his early 
training. 

After a two years' course at Yates, Ely Parker entered 
Cayuga Academy, already famous for the number of its 
successful students. He was then about seventeen years 
of age and more than usually ambitious. He came as a 
"son of the forest," as he says, to compete with white boys- 
from the finest families in the land. 

In passing it may be said that nearly every Indian wha 
has achieved a high position in business or conmiercial life 
has been educated away from his people and amid sur- 
roundings that compelled him to keep on his mettle. It is 
competition with keen intellect that awakens and develops 
greater intellect, generally speaking. The Government 
school where hundreds of untrained Indian youths are 
brought together can never accomplish the good tiiat might 
be accomplished if the same students had the opportunities 
and could meet the requirements of the common schools of 
the land. It is the culture that one gets by good associa- 
tions and the standard one must rise to in order to be 
regarded as "par," that keep ambition alive and keenly^ 
active. 



76 LAST QBAND 8ACSXM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

• 

Certain it is that the opportunitiea that the Parker boys 
had at the schools anumg the whites were not lost. They 
felt that it was inenmbent upon them to live up to all the 
higher ideals men had of the red race and to disprove all 
the current tales that the Indian was laqr, drunken and 
inferior in intellect Their life at the academy gave them 
two great opportunities. The first was that of reading the 
then recently published worics of Thatcher and Drake. 
Here they found recorded the proof of the fine qualities 
possessed by the old leaders of the race before the time 
when contact had caused too great corruption. They read 
with the joy of discoverers of Tecumseh and Pontiac, or 
Philip of Pokanet and of Garangula. This not only awak- 
ened a healthful race pride but spurred on ambition. The 
second opportunity that came was that of delivering in 
oration and essay, heroic defenses of the Indian. Onoe they 
liad declaimed the virtaes of the red man's way they were 
compelled to live up to those virtues, and they did this to 
the last detail. 

This endeavor to emulate the virtues of the old regime 
led to many' interesting arguments, and both Nicholson and 
Ely felt compelled to deliver orations explaining why they 
were seeking a white man's education if the Indian way 
was 80 saperior. 

Nicholson was ever Ely's favorite brother; at least they 
had more elements of common interest and were oftenest 
together. While they were at school — Ely at Oayuga and 
Nick at Pembroke— th^y devised a way of utilizing their 
literary productions to mutual advantage. Each would 
«end the other his essay or oration, as it had come from the 
teacher's hands for correction, and then the other re- 
Tiewed, rearranged it to suit himself and used it as his own. 
"This mutual interchange did much to keep their thoughts 
in the same general channel and led each to read the books 
the other read. It is quite possible that this fact would 



~l X 



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• •' 












• •l 



• •• 






:;.•• 









• • 



t ••• . • •• • 

• • • • ! • /• t ••• 



LA8T GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 77 

never have been known if their school eaeays had been lost 
or burned. However, on looking over the papers one can 
see the date on the essays; on one, ''E. S. P., Nqv., 1847," 
and on another, ''N. H. P., Dee., 1847." Then on another 
set, **N. H. P., Jan., 1848;" '^E. S. P., Feb., 1848." Thi* 
was at least brotherly reeiproeily even if it had some sns- 
picion of a lack of ethics. It was a secret between the 
brothers that a biographer has unearthed for the critic 
which may not be quite fair. But sinless heroes would be 
mummies, things that neither Nick nor Ely would exactly 
care to be. They were boys and very much alive. If they 
did ''crib" from each other it did not destroy their indi- 
viduality or dull their ability to originate. On the con- 
trary it did help mightily in winning prizes in oratory. 
One of these orations had as its title, ''Original Thoughts 
Impossible to Man." 

The confusion in tribal affairs caused great distress. 
The Senecas between 1838 and 1850 were in a constant 
state of agitation and it was necessary for them constantly 
to send messengers and attorneys both to Albany and to 
Washington. 

Ely Parker was often sent on such errands. His first 
trip to Washington was made when he was fifteen years of 
age. His polished manner and keen wit quickly won him 
many friends and he at once became a favorite in the elite 
circles of both state and national capitols. The affairs of 
the Tonawandas demanded the attention of some earnest 
advocate and it was this demand that led to Ely's leaving 
school at the age of eighteen. 

Durings his schooldays Ely had already met many of 
the distinguished men of New York, and lie had dined at 
the White House as a guest of President Polk. Later on 
he met with Webster, Clay and Calhoun, and was a favorite 
with them, though his costume was of buckskin and his 
hat of doeskin and feathers. 



73 LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

He was a great admirer of Mrs. Polk, and related with 
evident pride how Mrs. Polk had stopped her carriage in 
the streets of Washington when she saw him crossing and 
invited him to a seat by her side. The Indian hoy thus 
:associated with the best men of his day, always convinced 
that it was the right due to an heir of a sachemship of the 
Senecas. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 79 



CHAPTER VII 

XiEWIS H. MORGAN AND THE "NEW LEAGUE OP 

THE IROQUOIS." 

The situation of his people had naturally turned the 
mind of Ely Parker to the study of law, and with the 
.gradual settlement of difficulties he began his career as a 
student in the law office of Angel & Rice in EUicottville, 
Cattaraugus county. Here again he was thrown into com- 
petition with other clerks and the fact that he was an 
Iroquois gave him greater ambition. He spent three years 
reading law, drawing up forms, preparing arguments and 
listening to court proceedings. Then came a discovery 
that would have crushed many a lad. 

Competent though he was and able to meet every require- 
ment, he could not be admitted to the bar. A Supreme 
Court decision had ruled otherwise, making it possible only 
for a male white man and a citizen to enter. He had one 
great disability, and neither learning nor capacity could 
avail against it. He was an Indian, a native of the soil. 
Therefore he could not be admitted to the bar for he was 
not a citizen of the country. There was no way by which 
he could become one. He was a man without a country, a 
victim of legal injustice and popular prejudice. No Seneca 
could curse in his own tongue. He had to talk ''white 
man" to do that, and it is said Ely for once talked ''white 
man" curses, though ever after he abjured the use of such 
language. 

Disappointed in his ambition he drifted into Rochester 
to consult his friends. He had made up his mind to become 
a civil engineer. He took a short elementary course in the 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy and then joined 
one of the parties sent out to improve the Erie Canal. 



80 LAST OBAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOJS 

During Ely's endeavors to acquire a profession he had 
become acquainted with Lewis H. Morgan, who some years 
before had attended Cayuga Academy and later graduated 
from Union College. The two men developed a strong 
liking for each other and this friendship was accentuated 
by events to be related later. Periiaps it was Morgan who 
helped Parker to gain admission to Cayuga. 

When Morgan attended Cayuga Academy he was instru- 
mental in organizing a school fraternity known' as the Gor- 
dian Knot. The Masonic Order had received a severe set- 
back through the so-called expose of another ' * Morgan ' ' who 
lived but a few miles away on Canandaigua lake. Popular 
fury, ignorant of the beautiful teachings of Masonry, led 
to such persecutions, that the Masons, rather than foment 
civic discord, abandoned their lodges and even returned 
their charters in some cases. The school club found the 
Masonic hall, therefore, an ideal meeting-place, and arrayed 
in the white lamb-skins of the fellow-crafts, or in the silken 
robes of Solomon or Hiram, King of Tyre, the academy 
boys held their secret sessions and initiated candidates into 
the mysteries of the Qordian Knot. The dub filled the 
members with a youthful enthusiasm to do something 
useful as well as amusing and each member as he returned 
home was commissioned to establish a branch society. 
Lewis Morgan appears to have been the leading spirit and 
the society lived and prospered. 

Morgan's study of the Iroquois began with his acquaint- 
ance with Ely Parker. As Charles Talbot Porter, a friend 
to both men, wrote in later years, ''Parker was an invalu- 
able find for Morgan." Parker's influence was soon felt, 
for soon after his initiation into the Gordian Knot the 
society completely changed its name and character. It was 
reorganization on the principles of the League of the 
Iroquois and indeed became known as the Councils of the 
New Confederacy of the Iroquois. To its members it was 



LKVVIS H. MORGAN 

Thf lifcluiig frieiul of Kiy S. I'arker. 

H wQH LewLR Henry Mot-Kun who fir^t opened the gateways to a scien- 

tiRc xtudy of t)ie Indiun and who from this study point«d out the laws of 

Rocial evuhitiiin by which mankind has risen step by step from primitive 

ifcniirancc to civilization. 



• •• • 

•• • 



4r 

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• • • •• 

• • •• • 

• • •• • 















m * * m 
•• • • 












*• ••• 






•• 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 81 

known by the mysterious name of We-yo-ha-yo-de-za-de 
Na Ho-de-no-sau-nee, a Seneca phrase meaning, ^'They 
who live in the home of the dwellers of the Long House." 
The society became popular and branches were established 
as far east as Utica. Conventions were held at the place of 
the parent chapter in Aurora, and in the old Masonic lodge 
room. The members developed a wholesome interest, not 
only in the social features of the organization but in the 
study of Indian customs. Thus such men as Henry R. 
Schoolcraft and Alfred B. Street were initiated and read 
papers and poems on Iroquois life. 

Morgan's interest was doubly sincere and later the 
society served most useful purposes. It used the forces it 
could influence to defeat the aims of the Ogden Land Com- 
pany and poured forth to the State Legislature such a mass 
of evidence of the dishonest characters of the Land Com- 
pany's agents that the legislators were astounded. Muster- 
ing their forces, the members of the Grand Order of the 
Iroquois- sent in petitions and did much to defeat the 
crooked schemes of the land sharks. Both Morgan and 
Parker went to Washington to bring about a defeat of the 
fraudulent treaty. Morgan thus became widely hailed as 
a champion of the Iroquois. The society did much to place 
Ely's brother Nick and his sister Carrie in the State Normal 
school in Albany and finally led Morgan with Parker to 
write "The League of the Iroquois," a book that has 
become a classic wherever Indian books are known. This 
work was the first detailed description of an Indian tribe 
ever written and has made the name of Lewis H. Morgan 
imperishable. 

Morgan's interest in the Senecas was of a variety that 
won the respect of these people and he was honored with 
an invitation to come and be one of them. He responded 
and was adopted as the brother of Jimmy Johnson and 
made a member of the Hawk clan. It has sometimes been 



82 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 

said that he was made a son of Johnson, but that is not so. 
He would have been a son of Johnson's wife whieh would 
have made him a Wolf. The adoption took place on 
October 31, 1847, and he was named Ta-ya-da-o-wuh-kuh, 
meaning **One lying across," or ** Bridging the Gap," 
referring to him as a bridge over the differences that lay- 
between the Indian and the white man. With Morgan at 
this time were Thomas Darling and Charles T. Porter, 
both of whom were given family adoptions. Mr. Porter 
has written a fine account of the occasion in the Lloyd 
edition of the ** League." 

One of the unique testimonials given Morgan was a wam- 
pum belt of white background, showing the outline of 
eight purple diamonds. This was the pledge of the entire 
nation through its eight clans to Morgan. This belt, made 
especially for him by the matrons of the Senecas, is now in 
the State Museum of New York where so many other rare 
relics of Morgan's gathering are to be found — though he 
kept many in Rochester, apparently also having a private 
<3olIection. ^ 

Mr. Morgan interested many of his personal friends in 
the Senecas and their needs. Among these was Charles 
Talbot Porter, whom we have already mentioned. He 
l)ecame deeply interested in Indian affairs, and although 
liis view of the red man was not as optimistic or as sympa- 
thetic as Morgan's, he was nevertheless a staunch friend. 
In Mr. Porter's recollections of Morgan, published in Mr. 
Lloyd's edition of the ** League,"* he gives an interesting 
account of his visit to the Tonawanda reservation. 

**Not long after the rejection of the treaty, probably in 
1847," says Mr. Porter, ''Mr. Morgan was invited to visit 
the Indians on the Tonawanda for the purpose of being 



1. Many yemn later thii collection, which was made for Moron's ton, was 
driven or lold to the Univenity of Rochester. Morgan waa married in 1851. 

2. Lloyd, Herbert M., ii**w edition of "The Leasrue of the Iroq'iois" (by 
Morgan), Dodd, Mead & Co., N. Y.. 1901, vol. II, p. 157. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THf IROQUOIS 83 

adopted. I had the honor, together with Mr. Thomas 
Darling of Anbum, New York, to accompany him. No date 
was fixed. The Indians were always at home. We went in 
a pleasant season, and when we knew we should find Ely 
Parker there. '* 

There seems to have been no reception committee pro- 
vided for Mr. Morgan and his party, and after a four-mile 
walk, Mr. Porter describes the attempt to cross the Tona- 
wanda creek. Mr. Porter waded, for the water was only 
eighteen inches deep at the ford. Mr. Darling and Mr. 
Morgan wished to pass over dry-shod, so they hunted up 
a dug-out canoe and arranged their passage by craft. 
Porter stood on the farther shore, impatient, no doubt, at 
the ceremonious delay. Darling entered the canoe, wrapped 
himself tightly in his shawl and then Morgan, famed 
student of Indian lore, grasped the paddle, shoved off the 
canoe and leaped into it. But alas, he no sooner leaped in 
than he leaped out, for his '^ shoving out" was also a 
shoving over. This was a sad plight for Mr. Darling, for 
he was wound in his shawl like an Egyptian mummy. He 
rolled into the water and soaked out of his wrappings. 
Thus baptized in the waters of the "swift water stream/' 
the candidates for adoption entered the domain of the 
Senecas ''wet shod," all save Porter who had watched the 
whole proceeding with merriment. 

Mr. Porter writes: 

Our Tisit lasted ten days. The forenoons were devoted by Mr. 
Morgan to filling his note-books; the afternoons to witnessing games 
and dances got up in our honor, and the evenings mostly to hearing 
Indian traditions, in which I remember feeling deeply interested at 
the time, but of which I do not now remember a word. 

The ceremony of adoption was a very simple one. In fact, all 
•of it that I now can recaU was a l<mg address by old Jimmy Johnson, 
the religious teacher of the Indians; each of us received a name and 
was made a member of a particular tribe; a different one in each case, 
and learned who were our brothers, and who were only our cousins — 
all long forgotten. 



84 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IROQVOIB 

The morning sesaons with the oldest Indians, held with them 
in their own houses, were very interesting. A number of these were 
devoted by Mr. Morgan to obtaining geographical names, Parker, as 
always, acting as interpreter. I was full of admiration of these old 
men, who in their youth had hunted over all Western New York and 
who showed such wonderful acquaintance with every river and stream. 
In fact the whole map appeared to exist in their minds. They seemed 
to have developed another sense, which we who depend on books and 
maps^ do not possess. They were men of the woods, who, with nothing 
to depend on but their powers of observation and memory, in track- 
less forests could never lose their way. 

Our initiation was followed by a dance in the council house, in 
which we were allowed ilo participate, and were provided with part- 
ners. This was the only dance we witnessed in which the women took 
part. Then for the first time my ears were regaled with Indian 
music. Two young men were seated on opposite sides of a drum, 
which looked to me very much like a nail keg. On this they pounded 
violently with sticks, as an accompaniment to the most discordant 
howling. The Indian has no conception of musical intervals. The 
performance had therefore the attraction of complete novelty. But 
they kept good time, and the dancing was animated. 

This was followed by a curious feast. A bullock had been 
killed and cut up in Indian fashion; that is, all the flesh had been 
cut in small pieces and made into a stew. The large kettles in which 
this had been boiled were taken into the council house, and set in a 
row in the middle of the floor, and the dancing was in a procession 
around them. The dancers were in pairs, facing each other, about six 
feet apart, one moving forward and the other backward, with a 
shuifling step. Every minute or two, on a signal from the leader, 
all changed places. I remember that my partner by a sudden excla- 
mation saved me from dancing backward into a kettle of hot stew. 
Every family had brought a pail, and at the conclusion of the dance 
these pails were filled, and the stew carried home to be eaten. 

I was much impressed on another afternoon by a grand thanks- 
giving dance performed by thirty or forty young men^ attired in full 
Indian dress, that is, in head-feathers and breech-doth. The dance 
was really inspiring. It was a slowly advancing processional dance, 
in single file. Each dancer seemed to follow his own inspiration and 
all appeared to vie with each other in the vigor of their steps and 
the stateliness of their postures. This exhibition of animated 
statuary, with the varied and majestic character of their movements, 
had a grandeur which to my mind was most suggestive of the senti- 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IHOQUOIS 85 

meat of worship which it was intended to express. Just in this 
manner, doubtless. King David ''danced before the Lord with all his 
might." 

We were entertained at several houses, different families taking 
us in turn, and apparently proud to do so. The entertainment, how- 
over, was everywhere the same. We enjoyed most the hospitality of 
Parker's father, who was a rather progressive Indian of the Christian 
party and who spoke a little English. His daughter Caroline whom 
the Society was having educated in the State Normal School in Albany 
was then at home, and helped much to make it pleasant for us. She 
seemed quite as exceptional as her brother £ly. 

We were naturally interested in what we should get to eat. The 
reader may be amused by a description of our breakfast. Com was 
kept on the cob. The inner husks were turned back and braided 
together, the ears being arranged like a bunch of Chinese crackers. 
The first thing every morning, some of these were unbraided and 
the com was shelled by rubbing two ears together. The corn was 
then boiled a few minutes in a kettle with ashes. This completely 
removed the skin and cortex from every kernel. The former floated 
and were poured off with the water. The latter softened suflciently 
to be pounded into a meal, were washed in clean water and placed 
in the mortar, which was a tree-stump^ hollowed out. The women, 
standing on opposite sides of the mortar with their pounders soon 
made the com fine enough. We were awakened every morning by the 
sound of the pounders all over the reservation. 

The meal was then mixed with black beans and made into cakes 
about an inch thick and six or eight inches in diameter, without salt 
or leaven. These cakes were set on edge in a pot of water and 
boiled for perhaps half an hour, when breakfast was ready. Our 
beverage was hemlock tea, without milk or sugar. Dinner was the 
same, except that the com and beans were made into succotash, 
instead of cakes; and sometimes we had beef stew. 

When we left, a brother of Ely Parker [Levi], a lad about 
twelve years old, drove us over to the village where we were to take 
the train, and we invited him to dine with us. At dinner he stared at 
OS with distending eyeballs, and at last exclaimed: ''How you eat I 
You made me think of the appetite I had once, after I had been a 
week with the white folks and could hardly eat anything." 

Mr. Porter describes in his letter the disturbed mind of 
the good Baptist missionary who occupied the Mission 
station at Tonawanda. The preacher had endeavored to 



86 LAST GSAND SACSEM OF THE IS0QU0I8 

discourage the ''old time" ways as things that carried the 
minds of the Indians backward, while his gospel and his 
school bade them look forward into a different life. Mr. 
Porter defends the Indians, however, from the imputation 
of having done anything wrong. They were not idolators, 
he says, and then he asks, ''And who ever heard of any 
Christians who were more grateful to the Giver-of-all for 
so littler' 

The idea of writing a book on the Iroquois must have 
occurred to Morgan soon after his acquaintance with 
Parker. One of his earliest papers was read before the 
New York Historical Society in 1846 under the title: "An 
Essay on the Constitutional Government of the Six Nations 
of Indians." The paper was never printed but it gives* 
evidence that Morgan had a knowledge of the "Great 
Law" or constitution of the Confederacy, at which no other 
writer for many years has even hinted. * 

Later, in 1847, Morgan prepared a series of "Letters on 
the Iroquois" and published them in the American Whig 
Review, under the pen name of Schenandoah. Then came 
his activities in collecting for the New York State ( Cabinet) 
Museum. His constant companion was Ely Parker and 
his collecting headquarters was at the Parker house. Ely 
went with him to Grand river, and piloted him through 
the wilds. Their stopping-place there was with a Mohawk 
family named Loft. The mother of that family still 
remembers the visits of Parker and Morgan and tells what 
she gave to help them in their efforts. 

Many of their traditions were recorded by Ely Parker, 
who also took down translations of his grandfather's 
speeches on ceremonial occasions. Nicholson and Ely both 
contributed their boyish essays on Indian life and tlie 



3. Thii andent code of Iroquois law edited by tbe present writer bit been 

Sablisbed by the State Museum under title of '"The Oonstitution of the Five 
ations.'* 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IHOQUOIS 87 

description of the Seneca dances found in the ' ' League ' ' is 
mostly from their joint labors. 

Morgan had a rare mind for a man of his time, and in 
collecting the specimens of native workmanship for the 
New York State Museum, did so, not with the idea of 
getting curiosities but with the studied purpose of illus- 
trating in a detailed way the material culture of a people. 
He gathered utensils of domestic life, weapons, and 
ornaments and fabrics in a metiiodical manner so as to 
illustrate, not only the use of the object, but the method 
of its manufacture through various stages. This paved 
the way for detailed inquiry into the civic laws of 
the people. His principal informants were William and 
Elizabeth Parker, the parents of his collaborator; Ely 
Parker. Here he tapped a fount of knowledge, for Jimmy 
Johnson was the high priest of the Confederacy, and a 
reciter of its old laws. William was familiar with many 
of the old hunting laws, and the geography of the Indian 
country; and with his wife Elizabeth gave Morgan descrip- 
tions and models of the ancient long-houses. In later years 
Morgan, in writing of this, says: 

An elderly Seneca woman, Elisabeth Parker, informed the writer, 
thirty yeart ago, that when she was a girl, she lived in one of these 
joint houses (called by them long^honses), which contained eight 
families and two fires^ and that her mother and her grandmother, 
in their day, had acted as matrons over one of these large house- 
holds. This mere glimpse at the ancient Iroquois plan of life, now 
entirely passed away, and of which remembrance is nearly lost, is 
highly soggestiTe. It shows that their domestic economy was not 
without method, and it displays the care and management of woman, 
low down in barbarism, for husbanding their resources and for 
improving their condition. A knowledge of these houses, and how 
to build them, is not even yet lost among the Senecas. Some years 
ago Mr. V^illiam Parker, a Seneca chief, constructed for the writer 
a model of one of these long-houses, showing in detail its external 
and internal mechanism. 



88 LA8T GRAND SACHEM OF TEE IBOQUOIS 

Finally after much patient inquiry Lewis H. Morgan 
produced his book, ''The Lea^e of the Ho-de-no-sau-nee 
of Iroquois. ' ' It was published in 1851 by Sage & Brother 
of Rochester. The dedication reads as follows : 

TO HASO-NO-AN-DA (ELY S. PARKER) 

A SENECA INDIAN 

This Work, The Materials of which are the 
fruit of our joint researches, Is inscribed; In 
Acknowledgment of the Obligations, and In 
Testimony of the Friendship of The Author. 

This book is recognized today as being the first method- 
ical treatise along scientific lines ever written of an ethnic 
group of mankind. At least it was the first account of this 
character, relating to an Indian tribe. It won for Morgan 
the title of * * the father of American anthropology. ' ' Not- 
withstanding its great value it contains a number of errors 
both in statement of fact and in the viewpoint of certain 
matters, but these circumstances do not detract from the 
fact that the book is a valuable guide and a classic. Cer- 
tainly it immediately created a host of students and stim- 
ulated inquiry into the institutions and conditions of the 
red race. 

Many of the choicest heirlooms of the Iroquois were pro- 
cured for the State Museum of New York by Ely Parker 
and turned over to Morgan. The choicest native textiles, 
rare embroideries in dyed moose-hair and porcupine quills, 
had been the work of the women of the family. Even 
several of the pieces of bead-work were made by Caroline 
Parker and the costume represented in the plate just pre- 
ceding Morgan's ** Spirit of the League" was made by her. 
Oa-ha-no the maiden who is shown as wearing it is none 
other than Caroline, who holds her head just to one side — 
a characteristic pose. 



CAROLINE G. PARKER 
Later, Mrs. Mountpleasant. .Slater of Ely S. Parker. 
Compare with the plate, "Ga-hahno, a Seneca Indian Girl," 
in Morgan's "The League of the Iroquois." 



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• ••••• •• 

-. : •• .*♦•..••. 



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:•• • :• . • 



• • • • • 



•••.••• 



,•• 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 89 

Among the rarer relics in the State collection is Corn- 
planter's tomahawk. This beautiful relic of the days now 
gone forever, has an interesting history, for it is only by 
accident that it did not share the fate of many other his- 
torical objects destroyed by the old chief. 

Ck>mplanter had left his tomahawk at the cabin of a 
relative and so did not destroy it. Later it was sent to a 
friend of his known as Canada. When Canada died his 
widow preserved the heirloom which was widely known 
and often looked at by the curious among the tribes. When 
her cabin burned it was Ely Parker who rescued it from 
the flames. To him it was a part of family history, for 
Complanter was the half brother of his great grandfather. 

Once again the tomahawk was threatened by fire. When 
on March 29, 1911, the State Library and the archselogical 
collections were destroyed by a disastrous fire, the writer 
tore the tomahawk from the case where it hung. The blade 
was too hot to hold in the hand and the varnish on the 
handle was blistered. In that fire perished ten thousand 
specimens of Iroquois handiwork, including more than one 
hundred of the implements and textiles collected by 
Morgan. 

The Parker home was in a measure the spot where a new 
American science was bom. The family has ever felt 
responsible for recording and preserving the fame of its 
race. The store of old-time lore held by the older mem- 
bers of the family was made available by the education 
of Ely. Morgan and Parker, each in his turn, and using 
what opportunity he had, did his best to stimulate wider 
inquiry. The task undertaken by them has not yet been 
finished. The complete story of the Iroquois is yet to be 
written. 

In after years other books were written in Nicholson 
Parker's home, among the'm, **The Iroquois, or the Bright 
Side of Indian Character," by Minnie Myrtle, and ''Our 



90 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE 2E0QU0IS 

Life Among the Iroquois," by Harriet Caswell, not to speak 
of translations of hymn books, the Bible and a newspaper 
known as the Mental Elevator, published in the Seneca 
tongue. 

Nicholson lectured through central New York for several 
years on the subject of the Iroquois, and his sons and grand- 
ehildren following his example have done what opportunity 
has called them to do in spreading the fame of the League 
of the Iroquois. 



LAST GSAND 8ACEEM OF THE IS0QU0I8 91 



CHAPTER VIII 

EARLY EXPERIENCE AS AN ENGINEER AND 

MASONIC CAREER 

For several years Parker stayed near his home and wasp 
soon able to purchase a lai^e estate near his father's land. 
His chief occupation, however, was that of superintending^ 
the improvements on the western terminal of the Erie 
Canal. This was invaluable training. 

There are several persons who recollect having seen himt 
engaged in running lines, laying out new feeders and 
carrying on his office work in Rochester. One man tells how^ 
Ely Parker could recognize a man's voice without seeing hi» 
face. '^I was often sent down with verbal messages to 
deliver to Ely Parker," one informant says, "and would 
call out the message to him. He would keep his eyes riveted 
on his work and without ever turning to look at me would 
talk over the requirements, calling me by name. I always^ 
thought it strange that he could talk with his back to me,, 
but he seemed to know what was going on behind him." 

Parker's proximity to his people gave him an abundant 
opportunity for helping them in their national affairs, and 
he was rewarded for saving his people by being given,, 
before he reached the age of twenty-one, the sachemship 
of the Senecas, when he became known as Do-ne-ho-ga-wa. 
This name means **Open Door" or "Keeper of the Western 
Door," and alludes to the fact that his bffice was to guard 
the western door of the Long House and mark well those 
who entered and passed out. The ancient laws required 
him to place, metaphorically, of course, the slabs of slippery 
elm bark at the threshold as the mat for the undesirable. 
Thus he became the most important officer in the Seneca 



92 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QV018 

€ouacil and one of the fifty civil sachems of the Iroquois 
confederacy, 

For five years he held the office of resident engineer at 
Bochester, where he had many friends. During this time 
he kept up an active interest in his farm, raised &is colts 
and looked after his parents. To add to his many duties 
he was appointed United States interpreter, and always 
accompanied the agent on his trips. The office had pre- 
viously been held by Dr. Peter Wilson. 

Nicholson and Carrie in the meantime were completing 
their courses in the Albany Normal School, where Nick 
won some little fame as an orator. Many of his essays and 
orations remain to tell of his attempts at platform-speak- 
ing. He discussed many subjects, but his longest discourses 
were always on Indian topics. After graduation he 
returned to Tonawanda to manage his farm and to look 
after his brother Ely 's estate. Ely 's special injunction was 
always, ''Take care of the colts." He had inherited his 
father's love of horses and always wanted a fine span of 
lively colts for his personal use. 

The Tonawanda Indians at this time were in a most 
peculiar position. By the ''treaty" of 1838, which was 
obtained by fraud and bribery, the New York Senecas had 
parted with every foot of ground they had in New York. 
The Tonawandas had steadfastly refused to consider any 
treaty and had no part in the transaction. Later, in 1842, 
a compromise treaty was signed by President Martin Van 
Buren. The earlier treaty compensated the Senecas for 
their 114,862 acres of land at the rate of about $1.67 an 
acre and gave them certain tracts of land in Kansas. The 
treaty of 1842, however, allowed the Indians to stay in 
their old home country, providing they would accept the 
Allegheny and Cattaraugus reservations and give up 
Buffalo and Tonawanda. All the chiefs signed the treaty 
except those at Tonawanda. They refused to a man, either 



LAiT GMAND SACHEM OF THE 2EOQUOI8 9S 

to be bribed or bought out. Moreover, when their kinsmea 
signed away their land they refused to acknowledge the 
right, asserting the doctrine of '* state rights." The order 
came for them to move on, either to Kansas or to one o£ 
the other reservations that still had the yoke of the Ogden 
''claim" hitched to it Their hearts were bitter and they 
refused to move from their homes. They were allowed to 
remain, since it was thought some means for ejecting them 
could be found. With this threat of sudden ejectment 
hanging over them the Tonawanda Senecas lived in con- 
stant fear. It was a fear that paralyzed effort and gave 
but scanty encouragement to industry or improvement. 
They lived in an atmosphere of constant suspense. But 
one ambition animated them. It was to get a deed by pur- 
chase for the land that was theirs. In that lay their only 
salvation. 

The Tonawandas had learned several things and one was 
that the usurpation of their government by the war chiefs 
had brought great harm. They therefore repudiated the 
military chiefs and gave their government into the hands 
of the ancient ka-ya-neh or sachems, together with their 
assistants. To illustrate how far tiie Senecas had departed 
from their ancient laws it is only necessary to show the 
entire nation situated on the four reservations, submitted 
to an unstable rule by eighty-one chie&; instead of the 
eight constituted by the ancient law of the confederacy. 
Any man who would get out and by power of fist, bribery 
or through force of personality, collect a following could 
be a ''chief." This was veritable anarchy and was made 
good use of by the "land-grabbers." The Tonawandas 
alone were conservative and clung to the higher ideals of 
the old way. 

In 1855 Ely Parker, or Do-ne-ho-ga-wa, as he was known 
to both the whites and Indians, was appointed chief 
engineer on the Chesapeake & Albemarle canal. He left 



^94 LAST GBAND SACHBM OF THE IE0QU0I8 

his home and went to his southern post. His brother Nick, 
or Gai-wa-go-wa, had married Martha Hoyt, the niece of 
the Wrights who were the American Board missionaries at 
Buffalo and later at Cattaraugus. 

Ely Parker laid out all the preliminary surveys for the 
new canal, made the final draft, and even chose the final 
location for the canal. His success kept him active as 
superintendent of the construction for several months 
longer. It did not hold him, however, for the Government 
needed engineers, and the Secretary of the Treasury, 
Outhrie, offered him the position of constructing engineer 
for the Lighthouse District composed of Lakes Huron, 
Michigan and Superior. This work was a new variation, 
but he was uniformly successful in the new taskj holding 
the title Major, since the task was for military purposes. 

These isolated positions in a rough country and amid 
crude surroundings were not always to Parker 's taste. He 
loved occasional society and would frequently attend local 
social functions where he could mingle with cultured 
people. At one time while on the Chesapeake & Albemarle 
assignment, he had an office at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. 
The monotonous evenings palled on him and when some of 
his companions proposed that they all go to the grand 
hall at Norfolk, he was one of the first to push the propo- 
sition. When the uninvited party was about to enter the 
ball-room the floor manager stepped before the door and 
refused them admission. In vain did they argue — ^all 
except Parker; he acted. Stepping up to the offending 
manager he grasped him by the seat of the trousers and by 
the nape of the neck; carrying him a few steps to the 
stairs he held the terrified man over the abyss and then 
dropped him. Turning quietly as if nothing had happened, 
he altered the ball-room and had an enjoyable evening with 
his party. " **The gentlemen as well as the ladies were very 



LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 95 

<M>urteous, ' ' he confessed in later years when he was pressed 
for the story. 

Parker was phenomenally strong but seldom used this 
power to injure anyone. He was as gentle as he was 
4gtrong when made indignant by insult that concerned 
others more than himself. His great expanse of chest gave 
him lung power as well as muscles to sustain his arm action. 

During his stay in Illinois it is said he was pounced 
upon by a hotel-keeper who sought to push him into the 
street. The inn-keeper's wife who tells the story says the 
Indian shook her husband loose and grabbing him by the 
shoulders swung him around in a circle until her husband 's 
body lay straight out in the air like a rope and his heels 
swept over the bar or knocked against the wall. She inter- 
ceded and Parker set the inn-keeper down. Later they 
became good friends but wjienever Parker came to see them 
he would laughingly grab his new friend and give him 
another swing, ''just for old time's sake." 

Parker once said he was afraid to use his strength for 
he did not know what the results would be. ''A man came 
up to me in a hotel in Buffalo, ' ' he once related by way of 
illustration, ''and after looking at me a moment made a 
grab for me as if he wanted to wrestle. I did not want to 
hurt him and so I grabbed him by the upper arms and 
held them firmly. Suddenly he let out a peculiar yell, so 
strange that I let go of him. A few days later he came 
back to the hotel and asked for me. I met him in the lobby 
and he said, ' I want to speak tx> you. ' I thought h^ wanted 
to fight and so I loosened my neckerchief so he could not 
twist it and choke me. He started to take off his broad- 
cloth coat. The old cloth was torn in a few places where 
I had pinched him and both his arms were black. He said, 
^I want to show you how you abused me. I could not move 
my arms without great pain for two days. I think you 
ought to give me something. ' I felt sorry for him for his 



96 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 

arms looked very bad, and I had spoiled his coat I made 
up my mind to be carefol after that" 

In ld57 Parker was appointed superintaident of con- 
struction for a custom-house and a marine hospital in 
Galena, Illinois. Here he became acquainted with the clerk 
in the harness store and often had long ''talks" with him, 
though the clerk did most of the talking. They became 
quite friendly especially after Parker had rescued the 
clerk from a serious predicament due to the ''overflowing 
bowl." The harness shop clerk was Captain Ulysses S. 
Grant 

Parker found great comfort in his love of Free-masonry. 
Back in 1847, he had been "raised," as Masons say, in 
Batavia Lodge, No. 88. Later he affiliated with Valley 
Lodge, No. 109, of Rochester. This was on May 6, 1850. 
He became immediately active in Galena and with a few 
Masons that he found there, he became one of the founders 
of Miners Lodge, No. 273. He demitted from his home 
lodge September 6, 1858, and became the first Wor- 
shipful Master of Miner's Lodge in Galena. He was a 
member of both the Boyal Arch and of the Enights 
Templar and his love of Masonry as well as his popularity 
with his f ellowmen is shown in that he was Wordiipful 
Master of Miner's Lodge in 1858- '59- '60, and M. E. High 
Priest of Jo Daviess Chapter of the Boyal Arch in 1859- 
'60- '61. He was elected Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge 
of Illinois in 1861 but his duties as a Government engineer 
prevented his accepting the honor. In 1860, he was, how- 
ever, grand representative near the Grand Lodge of Illinois. 

Among the distinguished men of his time who were 
initiated into Masonry by Parker was General J. C. Smith. 
General Smith in writing of this in the Masonic Chronicle 
says: 

May 25, 1861, Brother Parker as Worshipful Master of Miner's 
Lodge, No. 273, raised the Venerable Chief of this Masonic Veterans' 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 97 

Association to the sublime degree of Master Mason, having previously 
made him an Entered Apprentice and a Fellow Craft Mason. March 
15, 1860, having at various dates conferred other degrees as High 
Priest of Jo Daviess Chapter, No. 51, he exalted the venerable chief 
to the Holy Bojal Arch; hence, Do-ne-ho-ga-wa, the Six Nations 
Brother Elj S. Parker, was mj father in Free Masonry. 

Brave and eloquent as was Bed Jacket, so was our veteran 
brother. Of the bravest of the brave, tender and loving as a woman, 
courteous as a Chevalier Bayard, the soul of honor and integrity, he, 
too, was an orator who would have been deemed worthy of Grecian 
prizes, i 

General Smith refers to the oration delivered by Parker 
at the Masonic banquet in Chicago in 1859. Ely Parker 
spoke of himself as almost the last of what once was a 
powerful and noble people, of his struggle in early man- 
hood of seeing his. race disintegrating; and he asked: 

Where shall I go when the last of my race shall have gone forever T 
Where shall I find home and sympathy when our last council fire is 
extinguished f I said, I wiU knock at the door of Masonry and see 
if the white race will recognize me as they did my ancestors when 
we were strong and the white man weak. I knocked at the door of 
the Blue Lodge and found brotherhood around its altar. I knelt 
before the great light in the Chapter and found companionship 
beneath the royal rock. I entered the Commandery and found valiant 
Sir Knights willing to shield me here without regard to race or 
nation. I went further. I knelt at the cross of my Saviour and 
found Christian brotherhood, the crowning charity of the Masonie tie. 
I am most happy to meet you in the grand councils of this gathering, 
and sit with you at this festive board to share these greetings and 
hospitalities. 

I feel assured that when my glass is run out and I shall follow 
the footsteps of my departed race, Masonie sjrmpathies will cluster 
round my coffin and drop in my grave the evergreen acacia, sweet 
emblem of a better meeting. If my race shall disappear from this 
continent, I shall have the consoling hope that our memory will not 
perish. If the deeds of my ancestors shall not live in story, their 
memories remain in the names of your great lakes and rivers, your 
towns and cities to call up memories otherwise forgotten. 



1. Vol. 16, No. 2, Columbus, Ohio, Nov., 1890. 



98 LAST GEAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQLOIS 

His address concluded in a like strain and one of hi» 
auditors^ records: '^Silence reigned as our brother sat 
down, eyes were dimmed and hearts were too full for 
speech." 

Later Parker became a charter member of Akron Lodge, 
No. 257, near his birthplace, and became its first Worship- 
ful Master. A portrait of him hangs in the lodge room 
today. 



2. Gen. J. C. Smith. 



LAST GJRAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 99 



CHAPTER IX 

HOW PARKER'S ENLISTMENT WAS REFUSED 
BY SECRETARY SEWARD 

When the first rumors of a clash between the North and 
the South were heard, Ely Parker was interested. His 
country was in trouble and his natural instinct was to fight 
for it. However, he could not easily abandon his work on 
the levees of the Mississippi and he was prevailed upon to 
fitay for **the war would last but a few months at most." 

His friend, Captain Grant, however, recruited a regi- 
ment and was later ordered to the front. He was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General and much was heard about 
his work below Cairo, especially his capture of Port Henry. 
The war dragged on and Parker resolved to resign his 
position and go back to Tonawanda, get his father's con- 
sent to **go to war," and then tender his services to the 
Governor of New York. He resigned absolutely in 1862 
and went back home. His father was glad to see him but 
was worried when he told why he had come. 

** Father," he said in his native tongue, **I think I ought 
to fight for my country just as you did years ago. I want 
you to let me go." 

**My son," said the old man, **I have only my children 
noW; since your mother has gone. I will think it over and 
tell you tomorrow." 

In telling about the incident later Parker said, ''The 
next morning my father told me to go, he said that I ought 
to go. I don't think he slept much, judging from his 
looks." 

It is related that when Ely showed his father a picture 
of the army ofiBcers and a drawing of one of the battle 
flcenee, as illustrated in Harper's Weekly, that William, 



100 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 

his father, looked at the portraits carefully and then plac- 
ing his finger on that of Grant's said: ''Here is the man 
who will be the great general who shall lead his army to 
victory. You follow him and you will be a great war 
captain, too." 

It is interesting to note that both Newton, who already 
had enlisted, and Ely asked their father's permission to 
go into battle. They were men and independent of their 
father, yet they respected him, and like dutiful sons of the 
Seneca, asked their sire's blessing on their project. 

There was a great deal of talk about Ely 's going to war. 
Some of the old women thought he ought to lay aside his 
title as sachem, for no Iroquois sachem of the ''Oreat 
Peace" could ever enter battle, bearing his title. Others 
thought it was a white man's war and that he need not 
abdicate his sachemship. So they feasted him and made 
speeches in his honor and sent him on to the Governor of 
the State. 

He arrived in Albany full of ambition and high in hopes. 
In full confidence he went to the Governor and asked for a 
commJasion, mentioning his experiences as an engineer. 
The Governor looked at him and said that he had no place 
for him and that he had much better go home. Parker 
was stunned at his rebuff but went back to Rochester to 
consult his friends there. He was still determined to go to 
the front. While there he met Mr. W. W. Wright, an old 
acquaintance who in after years recorded his impression 
of him at this time. Mr. Wright's statements are not 
entirely correct in some instances but in general his narra- 
tive is good. It runs as follows: 

Some seTen or eight yean before the commencement of the 
Bebellion I met Oolonel Parker at the old Mansion Hoiue, Albanj, 
which stood upon the ground now occupied bj the crockery store of 
Van Heusen Charles ft Company. It so happened that this gathering 
included some of the most noted politicians and brilliant orators of 
the State. Among others I remember Judge Church, Attorney 



LAST GBAND 8ACSEM OF THE 1B0QU0I8 101 

General, and ez-speaker Levi 8. Cbatfield, ex-Senator Orville dark 
of Sandy Hill, and the man of all others most at home on such 
oocaaionB, General James W. Nje. It was a happy affair and a 
great success. Its incidents were remembered and discussed for 
years afterwards by those who participated in this "feast of reason 
and flow of soul/' 

All the distinguished men I have named, and many others, were 
called out, and delivered appropriate and entertaining speeches, but 
the speech of the evening that called forth on its delivery the most 
vociferous applause, and was best remembered after the event has 
passed; came from an unexpected quarter. It was made by Ely S. 
Parker, the Indian, and everybody was surprised and delighted. He 
had just come from some school (which I do not remember) ,i and 
this was probably the first occasion for airing his oratory. It was 
certainly his first appearance in such distinguished company, and he 
might well be proud of his triumph in such a place. But his modesty 
and good taste were as conspicuous as the wit and intellectual features 
of his speech. 

He had just chosen the profession of civil engineering, and was 
already employed upon the construction and enlargements of our 
canals. At that date the railroads attracted little attention, and 
engineers almost universally sought employment upon the canals of 
New York, Pennsylvania and the newer states of the West, like Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois. Nobody then believed that the railroads, which 
then occupied but a few hundred miles leading to and from our most 
populous cities, through the richest and most densely settled por- 
tions of the country . . . would ever so completely supersede 
our waterways . . . 

Of course I was attracted to Parker by his extraordinary speech, 
and watched his career with special interest. But he did not happen 
to be employed where I often met him, and we bareljr kept up a speak- 
ing acquaintance, and after a few years he dis^sj^^^e^ ^rom our 
canals altogether. •' • . * * *•* . /*; 

I had almost forgotten him till the firsIT tin;* second, jea^^^of th£* < 

Rebellion when I met him in the streets of Rochester!**? ask«cL*w^>^ ; 

• • • • • . 
he had been and whether he had abandoned his profession. *He« , 

informed me he had not, but left the service of the State to take a 

position under the Government, on the Mississippi, and that he had 

located at Galena. 



1. Parker had been "out of Bchool" for several years and had considerable 
experience in public speaking. He had manr times before appeared in Albany as 
irell as in society circles in Washini^ton. Mr. Wright errs therefore, in assuming 
this as the entrance of Ely Parker into polite society. 



102 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 

After a pleasant chat he asked me if I had ever known Captain 
Grant, and I replied in the negative, but said that there was sueh 
an officer, a few years earlier, in command of the barracks at 
Sacketts Harbor. I owned and occupied a farm a few miles from 
that post, and generally knew the officers, but this one I never met, 
though I had often heard of him. Colonel Parker said he had become 
well acquainted with him, that he had rejoined the army, and he 
added in substance, ' ' I shall go with him. He is a most extraordinary 
man. We are about the enter upon the most gigantic war in history. 
The country has many experienced and able military leaders, and 
most of them will be found on the Union side, but not one of them 
will be found capable of dealing successfully with this terrible 
rebellion unless it be this Captain Grant. Now recollect my prophecy: 

He will come forth as the great central figure of the loyal states 
and will win a name and a fame which has no parallel in modem 
times. "2 

Writing from casual conversation, I can hardly do justice to 
the manner and the matter of Parker's singular estimate of the 
coming hero. But in view of General Grant's subsequent career and 
achievements, I never forgot his prediction, which if not inspired, 
deserved to be recorded as a singularly correct estimate of those 
qualities required of the great leader of the Union armies, and the 
discovery that they were all to be found in the then obscure ex- Army 
Captain. 8 

From Rochester, Parker went down to Washington to 
offer his services as engineer to the War Department. He 
was yet full of enthusiasm and filled with high hopes of 
becoming a real help in a time of trouble. All his educa- 
tion and train}i% had fitted him for an army engineer. 
.^ In fun\d|c^d^npe, therefore, the young engineer called 

**•• •ijpon •Secrptaf3C«Wi}liam H, Seward and offered to give 
, .Ijl^id^r^e^ textile tlnion. Parker later records his reply. 

:.\: :• •''iVTr! Seward in a short time said to me that the struggle 
in which I wished to assist, was an afl'air between white 
men and one in which the Indian was not called to act. 



2. Thif was hia father*f pro|diecy made to Gen. Parker when he went home 
to ask hif parent's consent to enliat. 

3. From a Mter from Hon. W. W. Wright, dated Geneva, N. Y., June 16, 
1888. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IHOQUOIS 103 

*The fight must be settled iy the white men alone/ he said. 
*Go home, cultivate your farm and we tvUl settle our own 
trotibles unthout any Indian aid/ '' (The italics are the 
author's because of later developments.) 

Parker does not record how he felt, but it is easy to 
imagine his feelings after having lost his old home through 
a fraudulent treaty ; after having been denied admission to 
the legal profession and after having been rebuffed by 
the Secretary of War — all because he was an Indian. Many 
a man would have said: **The white man's country can 
go to Liberia if it wants to. I won't worry over it." But 
he did not say even that though he had resigned a splendid 
position and staked his all on getting a commission. 

He simply obeyed what seemed the only recourse. He 
went back to the farm, heard the jeers of his rivals, heard 
of the success of other Indians, of Dr. Wilson who had 
become an army surgeon, and of three hundred Seneca 
volunteers who had gone to the front. And yet he was 
not wanted because this was a white man's war that could 
be settled without Indian help! 

So he donned his blue jeans, cleared his land, pulled 
stumps, painted his bams and plowed his fields. It must 
not be forgotten that he planted a flag pole^ too, and floated 
a big starry banner. 

He never talked much except when he had something 
important to say and thus he settled down to the routine of 
farm life and breeding horses. His father was glad to 
have such help, but sorry to hear his son called a failure 
by his people. This did not matter, for he stood an upright 
man before God and man. A man naturally proud and 
accustomed to honors, who knows what emotions raged in 
his breast? Who knows of the tumult there t Or who 
knows but that in his native philosophy he was as inwardly 
calm as he was outwardly ? Iroquois philosophy is strange 
philosophy to modern Americans in our day and it may be 



104 LAST GMAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 

safe to say that his spirit was at peace with itself, whatever 
ambitions it might have had. 

''The fight must be settled by white men alone," must 
have been a sentence that sounded strangely in his ears as 
it rang in his memory again and again. With three hun- 
dred of his kinsmen in the smoke of the 'white man's war' 
it seemed as if he alone were not a white man and he alone 
the only Indian. And it may be that he inwardly gloried 
in the apparent fact that he alone was the Indian. 

The weeks came and went and he worked with his ponies 
and his wheat fields, his com and his repairing. For 
recreation he hunted and fished as when a boy and it is 
believed he actually enjoyed it, for it was the life he loved 
most of all — the life on the farm, in the open, on the soil 
of his fathers, and amid simple surroundings. The only 
bitterness, if there were such, was the whispered insult, 
"He can't be much of a man to be refused by the amiy." 
He heard this but said nothing, looking only sadly at the 
thoughtless comrade who taunted him. 

As he was plowing for the spring planting, a horseman 
was seen galloping down the road. It was a military officer. 
He stopped a moment at the house and then cantered down 
the road to the field where Parker was plowing. Those who 
peered curiously down the road saw the officer hand Parker 
a document which when opened showed a big red seal that 
was plainly visible at a distance. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IBOQUOIS 105 



CHAPTER X 

A SAJCHEM BECOMES A WARRIOR 

Daring the progress of the Civil War, Harper^ s Weekly 
was a most eagerly read news source in the Parker home. 
Three or four times a week those who went to Akron or 
Batavia brought the newspapers and other periodicals, and 
thus Parker, once constructing engineer, and now farmer, 
gleaned the news and viewed the pictures of the war. He 
had watched the career of Grant from the time he won the 
first great victory of the war at Fort Donaldson, winning 
the name ' ' Unconditional Surrender Grant. ' ' He had read 
of Bull Run and of Father Abraham's call for volunteers, 
but he felt he at least was denied the right to join the 
chorus of the army song, *'We are coming. Father Abra- 
ham, three hundred thousand strong. ' ' Father Abraham 's 
secretary had turned him away. Fredericksburg and Mur- 
freesboro had passed into history and the Emancipation 
Proclamation had been hurled at the South. The city of 
New Orleans had been taken and war and adventure were 
everywhere making men martyrs or heroes. Then came the 
campaigns in the East, when Hooker crossed the Rapidan 
to march on to Richmond. News came of the disastrous 
fight at Chancellorville, in which Stonewall Jackson fell 
and Hooker was wounded and unable to command his 
ranks. Here were chances for trained men. Why didn't 
they want one more engineer? Had Grant forgotten him, 
and where were the rest? 

The Indian nodded at the flag that flapped at the top of 
the i)ole in front of his home and then went to the bam to 
hitch his horses for plowing. Chief, though he was, he 
grasped the plow and with a farmer's skill and an 
engineer's eye he turned over furrow after furrow of the 



106 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQVOIS 

good brown sod, in lines as straight as a rule. After all^ 
if there were no cornfields there could be no battlefields. 
The farmers had to grow the food that soldiers ate; and 
so with his native philosophy ever ready, Parker simply 
plowed as an expression of his patriotism and duty. 

It would be interesting tx> know what he was thinking 
about when the horse galloped down the road. It would 
be interesting to know what he thought when he saw the 
military costume of the rider. We do not know. We only 
know that he stopped his horses in the furrow, took the 
document that was handed him and read it. The paper 
must have been full of interest and brought with it a denial 
of the galling words of Seward. 

''Then came to me in my forest home a paper bearing 
the red seal of the War Department," wrote Parker of the 
incident afterward. **It was an officer's commission in 
the army of the United States." 

This commission is said to have been signed by Lincoln 
himself, and transmitted through the Secretary of War. 
It brought with it the rank of Captain. **It seemed odd,'' 
Captain Parker once wrote, ''that an Indian was now 
desired and that the Government wished to confer honors 
for which I had not served an apprenticeship, nor even 
asked. ' ' 

On June 4, 1863, the commission was formally accepted 
and the newly-made army officer made ready to go to war. 
It was then that the Indians held a great council and asked 
their chief to remain to guide and protect them. A great 
feast was made in his honor and Do-ne-ho-ga-wa was com- 
mended to the care of the Great Spirit. A public thanks- 
giving was offered, thanking the Ruler of the Great-World- 
Above that the Keeper-of-the-Westem Door had indeed 
guarded it well. The "Proclaimers of the Law" chanted 
the Adoweh ritual and the Keepers of the Faith invoked 
the spirits to guard the sachem who was to go to battle.* 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IKOQVOIS lOT 

Scoflfers were silent and rivals were glad to sound the com- 
mon praise. 

Nothing has been said of an Indian maiden who was to* 
wait until the war was over, but there was one who 
listened to the praise of the sachem, but as the war wore 
on did not wait. Like many things the soldier lost through 
sacrifice, Parker lost that which perhaps was best for any- 
one to lose before it is too late to lose — a faithless sweet- 
heart. But even this philosophy has never brought com- 
fort for violated faith, trust and confidence ; every balm but 
irritates the open wound. Perhaps it is well we can not 
foreknow the acts of our friends; it would make us bitter 
many times. 

Captain Parker reported to General J. E. Smith as 
assistant adjutant general. The army record shows that he- 
aded as division engineer of the 7th division, 17th army 
corps, until September 18, 1863, **And/' said General 
Smith, **he was a good engineer.'* 

He joined Grant at Vicksburg, and entered that terrifie 
long-drawn-out contest raw but eager and as stoical as any 
of his ancestors would have been. Vicksburg and its sur- 
roundings were anything but similar to the peaceful valley 
and the quiet farm **up North'' that he had so suddenly 
abandoned only a bare month before. He faced the bullets^ 
apparently with the disregard of a seasoned veteran. He 
followed Grant closely, he stood quietly under fire and rode 
with the troops where bullets were thickest. When the 
steamboat explosion occurred he stood as unconcerned as^ 
Grant himself, though in mentioning the event in later 
years he said, ** Though Grant acted as if he never heard 
it, I noticed some appeared greatly startled and that even 
'old Baldy' walked a little faster than usual." 

In writing to his brother Nicholson he said: '*! fear no 
rebel bullet shot or shell in a fair fight, and to tell you my 



10« LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IBOQUOIS 

honest conviction, I do not believe I am to be killed in the 
war. ' ' 

Then to explain how he was received in the army he tells 
his brother Nicholson of his commission : 

''My official experience in the army as an adjutant is 
checkered, or as some would say, singular. When I 
received my appointment, the Secretary of War ordered 
me to report to General John E. Smith. He was delighted 
to receive me, and made it very pleasant for me. I was 
getting on swimmingly when orders came for me to report 
to Ma jor-General Grant, and he put me on his staff. ' ' 

Just why Parker was placed on Grant's staff is explained 
by General Horace Porter, who says in his book: ''He 
commended himself to Grant by his conduct in the Yicks- 
burg campaign and was then placed on his staff and served 
in the Adjutant General's Department." 

Parker had the power of concentrating his mind on the 
plan immediately before him and thus although often in 
the thickest of the fight he rode his horse as easily as if 
he neither heard nor saw the things that make war so 
hideous. Whether lack of fear is true bravery or not is a 
question, but like Grant, whom he so much admired, Parker 
would face the music of battle as if it were all a game. 

At Vicksburg he caught the fever and ague and tried 
to break it with the usual remedy of whiskey and quinine, 
and quinine sometimes was scarce even in headquarters. 
However, the remedy gave temporary relief but not until 
he had suffered severely with the malady. In the journey 
by gunboat from Vicksburg to Cairo, Parker was constantly 
under an army physician's care and the doctor told him 
afterward he "sure was a sick Indian." 

The Vicksburg campaign gave him a taste of real war 
and he proved his mettle. Then followed the campaign 
of Chattanooga with its bloody battles and thousands of 
slain. All through the campaign he was with Grant and 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 109 

in one of his letters he tells of riding with the commander 
for half a mile directly under the enemy's fire. A delay 
had cut the staff from headquarters. 

The transfer from one division to another was full of 
incidents for the Indian warrior who was acting in the 
capacity of adjutant. Of one he writes: 

**In October, 1863, in going from Bridgeport, Alabama, 
to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to assume command of the 
Military Division of the Tennessee, General Grant halted 
for lunch on the summit of the mountains he was crossing. 
A sleet-storm was raging, compelling him to step into a 
log cabin for temporary shelter. This cabin had one large 
square room, used for sleeping-room, sitting-room and 
dining-room, and also as a kitchen, or cooking-room. Here 
he found two or three women and several young children. 
They were all poorly and scantily clad; the furniture was 
mostly home-made, the bedding was scarce and the larder 
apparently empty. When asked where the husband and 
men folks were, the simple reply of the women was, 'Hiding 
in the mountains. ' Alas for them, they were Unionists and 
to live at home was not safe. When asked if they had any 
provisions in the house the women replied, *Yes, a little 
meal, but no meat.' The General's heart was touched; and 
although supplies were low and his soldiers were as his 
own children, he left them an order on any train-master 
passing on the way to Chattanooga with provisions, to 
leave for this family a barrel of flour and one-half barrel 
of pork.'* 

At Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge Parker 
acquitted himself with honor, but like his forefathers, was 
silent when in the presence of others, unless he had some- 
thing of value to communicate. Captain Beckwith in his 
memorial address ^ mentioned this quality and said that in 



1. Publlcfttiont, Buffalo Hiftorical Society, vol. VIII, p. 516. 



110 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 

riding with him to the summit of Lookout Mountain, 
Parker scarcely uttered a word. 

While at Nashville during January, 1864, the chills and 
fever came on again and the usual remedy was prescribed. 
Brady, the photographer, who was a good friend of 
Parker's, told with a great display of amusement just how 
the army **ague" remedy affected him. He is the author- 
ity for saying that after the medicine had taken effect, a 
jgperies of loud war-whoops rang out and the Indian was 
seen chasing Bowers, one of the other adjutants, who was 
fleeing in apparent fear of his life. However, there was 
no bad feeling between the two, who were in fact great 
friends. In army days when medicine was not practiced 
as now, this effect of the ague remedy was common. In 
the years following the war Parker became an absolute 
teetotaler. During a severe illness his physician told him 
to take a dram of whiskey at certain intervals. ''I will not 
use it," he said emphatically. '*Tou must use it or you 
may die/' said his doctor. **Well, if that is the case," he 
answered, ''I shall still refuse. I do not have to take 
whiskey but I do have to die sooner or later. ' ' And so he 
refused — and lived, despite his doctor's warning. 

Parker was often called upon to lay out a line of 
entrenchments and often made the surveys directly under 
fire. He was known everywhere in the Army of the 
Potomac as **the Indian" and as he rode upon his great 
black horse he was a conspicuous figure. In the operations 
about Richmond he was constantly engaged in the engineer- 
ing. 

The appointment of Grant as Lieutenant General in 
February, 1864, drew the army together and gave it new 
strength. Then began the operation of the Army of the 
Potomac which on April 30, 1864, numbered 92,000 men 
and 274 field guns. Against this force Lee opposed with 
only 64,000 men and 224 guns. Then began the campaign 



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LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 111 

of the Wilderness and the endeavor to capture Richmond 
and the grimly determined announcement: '^I propose to 
fight it out on this line if it takes all summer." Thus com- 
menced the struggle in the tangled wilds. The country 
had been stripped of its virgin forest and had become a 
desolate region of stumps, underbrush and pitfalls. 

On one of those rare occasions when he could be pre- 
vailed upon to talk of his army career, the General told of 
his adventures in the wilderness: 

''As a matter of fact I was never concerned about getting 
killed in open battle/' he said. ** Bullets were flying 
through the air constantly but I got used to them. I even 
grew hardened to the sight of the dead and wounded on the 
field. I did not believe I was to be killed by a bullet and 
though I was under fire many a time I came through the 
war without a wound. My coat and hat got a few holes. 

''When I was a young man I was fond of hunting and 
learned the art of woodcraft in all its minute details. I 
could track a deer even over the leaves. I developed the 
instinct to feel the presence of game or danger. Perhaps 
I had the good will of the spirits. This was useful to me 
oftentimes during battle or in the presence of danger. I 
distinctly remember the time while we were riding together 
— the whole staff, at Spottsylvania. It was one day when 
Greneral Grant led out for a ride with General Meade ; Raw- 
lins and I were in the rear and Comstock was leading. I 
noticed that we were riding into the rebel line. I said to 
Rawlins, 'Where is the General going?' He answered, 'I 
don't know.' 'If he doesn't look out,' I told him, 'he will 
be in the rebel lines.' 

•'Then Rawlins roared out: 'Hey! General, do you know 
where you are?' (He always treated Grant like a dog.) 
' No, ' he replied, ' Comstock, do you ? ' ' No, ' answered Com- 
stock, 'but Parker says if you don't look out we will ride 
plumb into the rebel lines ! ' 



112 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IMOQUOIS 

'* 'Parker/ called Grant, *do you know where we are?' 
I answered, 'Yea, General.' Grant then quickly said, 
'Well, then lead.' I put spurs to my black horse and 
galloped off in another direction and they full tilt after 
me. 

''After the battle I met a rebel captain whom we had 
captured and he said to me, 'Colonel, I wish to ask you 
about a certain incident. The other day I saw General 
Grant with General Meade and a party of which you were 
one riding into our lines. My men wanted to fire on you, 
but I said, 'Hold on, they will ride in and we can capture 
the whole lot. ' Then I saw you ride up and say something 
to Grant and then your whole party galloped off in haste. 
You were within forty rods of us and we hoped to get you 
all in the next five minutes..' 

"No, Grant did not give me credit for this incident. He 
got the circumstances mixed and gave the credit to Corn- 
stock in his memoirs. Never mind, I did not care to dis- 
pute about it. It was enough for me to know how the 
incident really happened. He did not write about it until 
twenty years later and during his last illness. 

"At one time I was the commander of the Army of the 
Potomac. Every staff officer except myself was away from 
headquarters and all matters were left to me. There was 
no fighting yet While I was stuck in my tent the rebels 
came over and made a raid on the cattle on the outposts. 
You see I made a poor General. 

"Grant never cared much how he looked, but he did take 
care of his hat while riding. If a twig hit it and made a 
dent he would take it off and smooth it out. I think 
General Grant was a little proud of his riding. He would 
gallop off to meet some officer and dashing up would sud- 



2. Related br Gen. Parker to Mr. J. F. Kelly, Mr. F. E. Parker and Mr. and 
Mrs. Frank Converse. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQVOIS 113 

denly rein his horse and dismount before the horse had 
stopped. 

** People seemed to have many queer recollections of 
Grant. I went with Grant on his tour after the war. I 
was often photographed with him. I remember a man 
coming up to me in a theatre. He said, 'I remember Grant 
when he worked in a tanyard, he worked as a clerk in his 
father's store.' 

** General Grant was not a man who would stand pro- 
fanity. He did not curse and often rebuked those who 
did." 

Mr. J. T. Lockwood of White Plains, New York, often 
observed Parker during the Wilderness campaign and 
relates the following story: 

**It was on May 30, 1864," says Mr. Lockwood, ''when 
I was with my battery, the 4th New York Artillery, at 
Mechanicsville near Richmond. We arrived there early 
in the morning and were at once ordered to stack arms. 
This we did, the place being the Shelton farm, 

** Orders were to grab a rail either from the fence or 
those piled in stacks, and to follow the officer on horse- 
back and to drop the rails in the horse's tracks. This we 
did to outline the entrenchments. He simply galloped off 
in a straight line, made a turn or two and came back to 
the brick farmhouse. There was ah orderly riding in his 
rear. The officer was Colonel Parker, whom we always 
called *the Indian.' He was on Grant's staff and did 
much of the engineering work. When the Colonel returned 
I spoke to him for the first time, though I had often seen 
him. A strange battalion was only 500 yards in front of 
us and I asked a very natural question. 

Colonel,' I said, 'What corps is that over there T 
Those are the Johnnies,' he replied. 'Take your 
shovel and get as busy as they are. They are doing the 
same thing we are. Better get some dirt in front of you. ' 



it t 



114 LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

**I was only a common soldier but when I saw the 
Johnnies as near as that I worked that shovel uncommonly 
fast. 

**Our battery supported the 4th United States Artillery 
and we were generally very close to Grant's headquarters, 
I had ample opportunity to observe Colonel Parker. 

**When we were commencing the entrenchments some of 
the officers entered the Shelton house and requested the 
ladies to vacate. One of them had a small boy. * We refuse 
to go/ they said emphatically and with a certain gleam of 
haughty arrogance. Then Mrs. Shelton came to the door 
and said, 'We shall not leave this house for my husband is 
in command of the troops over there and there is no danger 
of this house being fired upon.' 

** Colonel Parker then said politely, 'Stay as long as you 
please, ladies, we shall not harm you. ' Then turning to his 
officers, he roared, 'Throw up a redoubt directly back of 
this house and plant a battery there ! ' 

"It was a clever bit of strategy for that battery did 
unmerciful work and it was a long time before the rebels 
sent a shell in our direction. 

"When Colonel Parker laid out breastworks or entrench- 
ments he always rode alone except perhaps with an orderly. 
Whenever we saw him laying out fortifications we knew 
there was to be a big fight. We also knew that there was 
an event ahead when he or Meade began riding over the 
field from one headquarters to another. 

**We always supposed 'the Indian' was one of Grant's 
chief engineers. Of course I didn't know because I was 
only one of the rank, although we always stuck to Grant's 
headquarters." 

The many records show that during the movements of 
the Army of the Potomac, while Grant was at City Point, 
Colonel Parker was exceedingly busy. This is especially 
true after his appointment on August 30th, as Military 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 115 

Secretary to Grant. As assistant Adjutant, however, he 
had his hands full and followed Grant very closely in all 
his moves.^ 

Much of Grant's correspondence was transcribed by 
Colonel Parker and during times of great pressure Grant 
entrusted the preparation of important letters, orders and 
reports to him, merely signing them with his name. 
Parker's command of English and his handwriting as well 
as his intimate knowledge of the campaign, eminently fitted 
him for these important tasks. 

General Horace Porter in his book* writes of Colonel 
Parker's activities and tells among other incidents an 
amusing tale. 

*' Colonel Parker, the Indian," says General Porter, *'had 
been diligently employed in these busy days helping take 
care of General Grant's correspondence. He wrote an 
excellent hand, and as one of the military secretaries often 
overhauled the General's private correspondence and pre- 
pared answers to his private letters. This evening he was 
seated at the writing table in the General's tent while his 
chief was standing at a little distance outside talking to 
some of his staflP. A citizen who had come to City Point 
in the employ of the Sanitary Commission, and who had 
been in Cairo, when the General took command there in 
1861, approached the group and inquired, * Where is the 
old man's tentt I'd like to get a look at him; haven't 
seen him for three years.' Rawlins to avoid being inter- 
rupted said, 'That's his tent,' at the same time pointing 
to it. The man stepped over to the tent, looked in and 
saw the swarthy features of Parker as he sat in the Gen- 
eral's chair. The visitor seemed a little puzzled, and as he 



8. Some of hif correspondenoe u found in the archivet of the War Depart- 
ment ihowa the character of hii work and its reaponaibility. The lettera thow the 
matto'-of-fact way in whidi disaster or death was reported. Some of the letters, 
as paragraph sketches of the dsys of the last campaign are included in the 
appendix of this volume. 

4. "Campaigning with Grant,*' page 207. 



116 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 

walked away was heard to remark: 'Tes, that's him; but 
he 's got all-fired sun-burnt since I last had a look at him. ' ' ' 

The General was greatly amused by the incident, and 
repeated the remark afterwards to Parker, who enjoyed it 
as much as the others. 

The order for Colonel Parker's appointment came on 
August 30, 1864, and was announced by the War Depart- 
ment as below shown: 

War Dept., Adjt. General's Office. 

Washington, D. C, August 30, 1864. 
General Orders. 
No. 249. 

Capt. Ely S. Parker, assistant adjutant-general, XJ. S. Volunteers, 
is announced as private secretary on the staff of Lieutenant-General 
Grant, ^ith the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, vice W. R. Bowley 
resigned. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

£. D. TOWNSEND, 

Assistant Adjutant-General, 

Colonel Parker from this time until long after the war 
ended was intimately associated with Grant and constantly 
at his side to receive and transmit his orders. His inti- 
mate knowledge of Grant's desires and policies made it 
possible for him to offer many suggestions. The fighting 
about Petersburg and the naval operations on the James 
river drew the enemy closer to the headquarters of Grant 
at City Point, which had no heavy guns to defend it. This 
led Colonel Parker to seek to bring about the adequate 
protection of Grant's immediate headquarters. Thus, Col. 
George H. Butler says, **It is suggested by Colonel Parker, 
of Grant's staff, that the same be reported to you, that a 
request be made to have such disposition made of the gun- 
boats as will remedy the want of artillery here." 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 117 



CHAPTER XI 

THE FALL OF THE CONFEDERACY 

During the years that followed the war Parker was often 
called upon to relate the incidents that came to his notice. 
To strangers and acquaintances he would uniformly reply, 
^^ Those who know nothing of war may like to hear of it in 
all its awful details, but to a man who has gone through 
it some visions are too shocking to recall. I had rather 
not discuss it with you/' 

It was only to the long-time friend that he would tell 
his war experiences, to his brother Nicholson or to an 
acquaintance who won his confidence and who could play 
billiards well. Parker was a great lover of the game and 
would seek to meet the best players wherever he went. 

In the old farmhouse back on the Cattaraugus belong- 
ing to his brother he would, when visiting there, sometimes 
tell a tale or two to his nephews, grand-nephews and nieces. 
He would tell some of these stories in his native language 
which he mostly talked when he **went back home, to loosen 
up my tongue," as he would say. Thus it is from the 
tales he told there, about the hearth of his brother's home, 
for the recollections of his intimate friends and from the 
few papers that he left that we relate the story of Appo- 
mattox. 

No attempt is made to picture the entire scene, for that 
work belongs to the historian. Our task is merely to 
examine the fragments that Colonel Parker left in writ- 
ing or imprinted on the minds of his friends, and then to 
fit these fragments like a mosaic into the picture. If parts 
are missing it is because we cannot find them. And now 
we take up our task. Where we can quote exactly we shall 
do so. 



118 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQVOIS 

The moral support given by one's countrymen counts 
much in giving a leader of men inspiration. Leaders often 
deport themselves upon occasions to draw the admiration 
of the men or people whose confidence they need in order 
to carry out their plans successfully, but this is a thing 
that Grant never did. Notwithstanding his successful 
campaigns Grant was not the idol of the North to the same 
degree that Lee was of the South* His very modesty, his 
simple manner and lack of demonstration caused many to 
think him dull and unappreciative. His dress was often 
disarranged and he preferred to take the labors given him 
like a soldier rather than to simulate the dignity of an 
of&cer. No one could deny, however, that Grant was a 
grimly determined leader, who from the beginning, had 
shown great capacity and resource. The months after the 
battle of Chattanooga had taxed every faculty and all 
through the severe trials that he underwent he exhibited 
great fortitude and skill. Indeed, his great tenacity during 
long seasons of disaster when his ranks were thinned by 
rebel shot, won the admiration of the country. He was the 
directing force of the army and planned many battles that 
his generals fought to success. Even Meade was constantly 
under his orders, though Meade commanded the Army of 
the Potomac. 

Meade manifested many of the unselfish qualities of his 
leader and would have resigned his commission for lower 
rank if Grant would have allowed it. But Grant knew 
Meade. He understood his generals and knew their 
capacity. He also knew most of the Confederate leaders 
and knew how to oppose each at his weakest point. His 
career at West Point had given him an insight into their 
character and habits that was invaluable. But with all this 
he was not the hero of his nation as Lee was of the seceding 
states. liee's fame was heralded all over the world and to 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 119 

the South he was the idal that it swore by. The North had 
yet to learn to swear by Grant. 

From his headquarters at City Point, Grant continued 
to direct the campaign against Sichmond, and his uniform 
success combined with the desperation of the Southern 
army, which was in an almost famished condition, began 
to cause grave fears throughout the South. There were 
many abortive plans to send spies into the Union lines to 
assassinate Grant and throw the army into disorder by 
removing its leader. 

The headquarters camp was directly on the edge of the 
bluflf that overlooked the Appomattox river on the south 
side at its confluence with the James. Grant's tent was 
simply arranged and his winter quarters were built of logs- 
He lived as simply as any of his officers and mingled freely 
with them. Rough benches were placed in a square about 
the front of Grant's hut and a cheerful camp-fire was kept 
blazing. About this fire the officers clustered, and here 
Colonel Parker was to be found always ready with his pen 
and manifold to take down dispatches. It was here that 
Colonel Parker mingled closely with the leaders of the 
Federal forces, and met the civil officials who came from 
Washington. Even Lincoln himself came down for long 
visits during the winter of '64 and '65. Often he would 
sit near Colonel Badeau or Colonel Parker and eagerly 
read the dispatches as they came in. 

The entire military family of Grant shared a common 
table and both Grant and Lincoln dined together with the 
staflP officers. Both Grant and Lincoln were absolutelv 
frank and outspoken. They discussed with great freedom 
the dispatches that came in and the plans of the campaign, 
listening with courtesy to the suggestions or remarks of 
the officers of the staff. 

It was during his stay during the winter at City Point 
that Parker had opportunity to discuss Indian affairs with 



120 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IROQVOIS 

both Grant and Lincoln. He outlined his plans for the 
betterment of conditions, condemned the treaty system and 
pleaded for the education of the young. Lincoln was most 
sympathetic, and said that he knew the red man had 
suffered awful injustice which he hoped the nation some 
day would requite. 

Grant's men were absolutely loyal to him and were 
greatly concerned with his welfare. During the winter 
months early in '65 they often did sentinel duty outside 
his door in order to minister to his needs and guard against 
spies and assassins. 

Ck)lonel Parker relates that there was a feeling that the 
rebels would attempt either to assassinate or kidnap Grant, 
as they had Crook and Kelly. Often, therefore, Parker 
watched outside the door of the hut with his revolver ready 
for any suspicious character. Colonel Badeau has written 
in a detailed way the story of the precautions taken by the 
staff. Nevertheless the Confederates had once smuggled 
a spy into the camp armed with a clock-work bomb which 
was placed on the ordnance boat in the river below Grant 's 
headquarters. 

The war had reached its crisis and every precaution was 
taken to prevent panic of any sort in the Union ranks. The 
two armies, almost within speaking distance of each other's 
lines, faced in the last great strugs:le along the Appomattox. 
The closing days of March saw the beginning of the end. 
Sheridan had arrived from the South, Sherman came up 
the James from his quarters in North Carolina and Pres- 
ident Lincoln came down from Washington, as if to see 
for himself the close of the fratricidal struggle. The City 
Point Headquarters were the scene of ceaseless activity. 
Every plan was laid* to catch Lee like a rat in a trap. 
Grant's plan was to force Lee from his fortified position 
and then send Sheridan with his cavalry to hound his heels. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQVOIS 121 



(( 



I mean to end this business here," said Grant. And 
Fighting Phil smiled as he replied, *' That's what I like to 
hear you say, General. Let's end tljiis business here." 

On the morning of March 29, Colonel Parker dispatched 
the following order to Gen Sheridan : 

Headquabtebs, Armies of the United States,. 

City Point, Va., March 29, 1865. 
Special Orders 
No. 64 

Maj. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, commanding Middle Military Division, 
will order the detachment of Company D, Fifth U. S. Cavalry, now 
serving with him to report immediately to these headquarters, 
wherever they may be, in the field. 

By command of Lieutenant Oeneral U. S. Orant. 

E. S. Pabkeb, 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-GeneraL 

Sheridan's orders were to get at the enemy's rear and 
^' force him out if possible. Should he come out and 
attack us,'' wrote Grant, '*or get himself where he can 
be attacked, move in with your entire force in your own 
way and with the full reliance that the army will engage or 
follow as circumstances will dictate. I shall be on the 
field and will probably be able to communicate with you." 

Colonel Bowers was then advised of the situation and the 
location of the corps commanders: 

H^DQUABTEBS; ArMY OF THE POTOMAC, 

March 29th, 1865. (Reed. 9: P.M.) 
Lieut, Col. T. S. Bowers: 

The two corps moved out» meeting with no serious opposition 
until quite late in the afternoon, when Griffin's division, of Warren's 
<*4)rps, struck the enemy and had quite a fight. Griffin captured about 
100 of the enemy. His loss not reported. Warren promptly brought 
up his whole corps, and upon advancing he found that the enemy 
bad retired to his main works. Humphrey met with no opposition in 



122 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IE0QU0I8 

bis advance. Warren's left is aeroBS the plank road. Humplirey's 
right is on Hatcher's. Sheridan is at Dinwiddie and no enemy to 
oppose him. 

£. 8. Pasxeb, 
Lieutenant-Colonel, etc. 

The Union forces now held without dispute the country 
from Appomattox to Dinwiddie Court-house. The heavy- 
rains of the nighty however, made traveling difficult. It 
did not dampen the ardor of the National army, thoui^^h 
some minor plans were changed. Grant drew his generals 
into concert and then with a masterpiece of team play 
flung them at the Southern ranks. ''We will all act 
together as one army until we can see what can be done 
with the enemy," wrote Grant to Sheridan. 

On the 30th Sheridan was at Five Forks, a most 
important position. If Sheridan's cavalry could hold it Lee 
would be forced to retreat from his position at Petersburg. 
Dispatches soon came in that Lee was holding the roads 
about Five Forks ; and to inform General Rawlins, Parker 
dispatched the following note : 

HSADQUARTERS, ARMIES OP THE UNITED STATES, 

March 30, 1865, 12:10 P. M. 

Brig, Gen. John A. Rawlins: 

General: A messenger just in fr(«i General Merritt says that 
the reconnaissance sent out from near Boisseau's encountered the 
enemy in considerable force. They went to about two miles of the 
Five Forks, and found the enemy occupying the road. Those going 
north proceeded to about a mile of the White Oak road, and found 
the road also occupied by the enemy. Nearly all the forces met 
were cavalry. All the roads leading toward the White Oak Bead are 
covered by the enemy. No engagement reported. 

E. 8. Parker, 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 

The engagement at White Oak road came later. With 
the Union army pressing from every point Lee continued 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 123 

to resist as he retreated. Wright of the Sixth Corps and 
Parker of the Ninth, on April 2d expressed their confidence: 
of breaking through Lee's lines. At daybreak with Ord 
they engaged the Confederates and carried Five Forks. 
Warren was ordered to advance following the cavalry and 
the Fifth Corps was to take a position at the enemy's left. 
The battle was a terrific one, and the Union cavalry- 
suffered heavily. Sheridan won out, however, capturing 
6,000 prisoners. Fitz-Hugh Lee and the brave Pickett 
were beaten. The good news was dispatched throughout 
the army. Petersburg had fallen ! A letter to Meade from 
Parker teUs of the vigilance and eagerness with which each 
aiove was regarded: 

Grant's Headquarters, 

April 2n(l, 1865. 
liajor-General Meade: 

The following just received: 

' * Brigadier-General Bawlins : 

'^ General Sheridan desired m? to inform you that the Secondf 
Corps is marching up the Boydton road toward Petersburg, and that 
Lee and his forces are moving iu this direction. We have come up 
to their rear guard, about two miles on the Claiborne road from their 
works in front of that road, probably; but few stragglers. 

P. T. Hudson, Aide de Camp, 11 A. M. 

' * Miles has carried all the main work on the Claiborne road. We 
are following the enemy up that road. The enemy evacuated the 
works about 10 o'clock. Will send particulars as soon as heard. 

P. T. Hudson, Aide-de-camp,*' 

(Signed) E. S. Parker, 
Lieutenant'Colofiel and Acting Asmstant Adjutant General. 

Events followed £ast upon one another and on the morn- 
ing of April 3d the Union Army entered Richmond and 
once again the starry banner floated over the rebel capitoL 
Bands played Yankee airs and the city rang with the shout» 



124 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

of th^^pcessful army. Then the city was brought t 
order b^pi'ant and all plundering and rioting stopped. 

Grant ifew arranged his divisions to tighten about the 
Army of northern Virginia. Sheridan was in the advance, 
then came Meade with Wright and Humphreys, who had 
been detailed by the following command: 

Heaoquabteks, Armies of the United States, 

Sutherland's Station, April 3, 1865. 

Jiajor-General Humphreys, 
Commanding Second Corps: 

Ton will hereafter report to Major-General Meade, commanding 
Army of the Potomac, for orders. On the morrow, however, you will 
follow the route of march designated for you by General Sheridan. 

By Command of Lieutenant-General Grant. 

E. S. Parker, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 

Headquarters, Armies of the United States, 

April 3rd, 1865. 
Major-General Meade. 

Commanding Army of the Potomac: 

You will furnish to General Humphreys the rations called for 
l)y him at the earliest moment possible, in accordance with your sug- 
gestion of 9.15 this evening. Inclosed are orders for General Humph- 
reys to report to you hereafter, except that on to-morrow he will 
follow the route of march designated for him by Greneral Sheridan. 

By Command of Lieutenant-General Grant. 

E. S. Parker, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, 

P. S. — Please forward to General Humphreys the order hj one 
of your officers. 

The Southern Army, routed at Five Porks, Petersburg 
and Richmond, was fleeing with fifty thousand troops. Lee 






LA8T GRAND SACHEM OF THE IM0QU0I8 i 12S 

lioped to draw Grant after him and cause the Union Army 
to ajbandon its entrenched position and pursue from the 
rear. Grant, however, sent his army to the south side of 
the Appomattox to head off Lee and hem him from further 
advance. Lee's hope was to unite with Johnson. But 
Sherman was pressing close and that brave leader, ordering 
the Fifth Corps to entrench across the railroad, cut off all 
supplies from Lee's famished army. 

Grant was marching with his army and Colonel Parker 
followed his chief and saw the high spirits of the men who 
everywhere cheered the Commander-in-chief as he rode 
through the lines. The cordon was rapidly drawing about 
Lee and the men were enthused at the successful moves that 
moment by moment were putting the rebel army in sore 
straits. Finally there came a dispatch from Sheridan tell- 
ing of Lee's distress at Amelia Court House. The next 
day Lee fled from Amelia and took up flight on the roads 
leading to the southwest. The Confederate soldiers were 
actually starved out and their horses famishing, the spring 
grass not yet being su£3cient for forage. Blow after blow 
was delivered by the Union corps and each time a victory 
was won. Lee's army was depleted fifty per cent, by the 
battles of the first seven days of March, and nearly a 
quarter of his troops had deserted. Lee held to the last 
hope but his officers pressed him to surrender. Further 
resistance only meant unnecessary bloodshed and needless 
suffering. That the power of the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia was gone was seen only too clearly. Even the disci- 
pline of the troops was relaxed and the line straggled along 
in disconnected, discouraged groups; but when the Union 
bullets sang into their ranks they doggedly turned and 
blazed back as only desperate men can. 

Grant saw their pitiful plight on April 7th and dis- 
patched a letter from Farmville to Lee. The message was 
in these words: 



126 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 

General : — The results of the last week miut convince you of 

the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Armj of 

l^orthern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it 

as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further 

effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of 

the Confederate States ' army known as \ the Army of Northern 

Virfiinia. 

U. 8. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

Lee in his reply denied that further resistance on his 
part was useless, but agreed that further bloodshed should 
be avoided if possible. Lee inquired for terms, but Grant 
did not allow this parley to interfere with his strategic 
movements, for no truce had been declared or sought. 
Sheridan pushed across the Appomattox, carrying his 
cavalry with the Army of the James and the Fifth Corps. 
Humphreys and Wright kept hammering at the fleeing 
Southern lines, but on the 9th of April halted at Appo- 
mattox Court House, where Lee displayed a white flag. 
Custer in the previous day had captured the supply trains 
of the enemy and Sheridan was opposing the rebel front. 
Lee was in a desperate position and must have been in a 
disturbed mental state when he wrote Grant explaining his 
stand. **In mine of yesterday," he wrote, **I did not 
intend to propose to surrender the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be 
frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for 
the surrender of this army. ... I can not therefore 
meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern 
Virginia. . . ." The day before he had asked the terms 
of surrender, but this was when he was pursued by Crooks 
and his baggage trains were burning in his rear. With 
the open country before him, as he thought, there was 
hope, and supplies ahead, for he did not know he was 
marching directly into Sheridan's cavalry lines. 

Grant saw through the entire situation and ignoring 
Lee's illogical stand simply wrote: **The terms upon 



LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 127 

which peace can be had are well understood. By the South 
laying down their arms they will hasten that most desir- 
able event, save thousands of human lives and hundreds 
of millions of property not yet destroyed." 

Grant then hastened to join Sheridan while Ord marched 
his men for twenty-one hours. Lee began attacking Sheri- 
dan, who moved back gradually giving Ord a chance to 
form his line and march forward to attack. Then the Union 
armies closed in on Lee. His broken but defiant army was 
completely hemmed in and at the mercy of the grimly 
determined Union forces. Then Sheridan seemed to give 
way and the rebel ranks gave their last battle yell as they 
rushed into the opening. Then a fresh infantry line 
1)urst upon them. The Southern lines broke. Sheridan 
swung to the left and drew up for a charge upon the dis- 
organized ranks before him. The men were ready, but the 
charge was never made. Lee sent forward a white flag and 
requested that hostile action cease, pending a conference 
with General Grant. Sheridan was suspicious and feared 
treachery, since Lee had previously declined to discuss 
terms. The truce seemed like a plan to refresh the rebel 
troops or await re-inforcements. Sheridan rode over to 
the Court House where he found that negotiations for 
surrender were pending. 

Lee saw his position plainly. Sheridan with Ord and 
Oriffin opposed his advance; Meade with Wright and 
Humphreys attacked his rear and there was no avenue for 
flight. Lee's message to Qrant was: **I received your note 
of this morning on the picket line whither I had come to 
meet you and ascertain definitely what terms were em- 
traced in your proposals of yesterday with reference to the 
surrender of the army. I now ask an interview in accord- 
ance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday, 
for that purpose." 



128 LAST GBAND 8ACHSM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

Meanwhile, Lee sought to inform Meade of the proposal 
and to expedite matters allowed a Union officer to be 
escorted through the Confederate lines. Grant was with 
Sheridan and received Lee's letter ten minutes before noon. 
He immediately wrote out hia reply, agreeing to meet Lee 
and discuss the terms of surrender. . Colonel Babcock 
hastened back with the reply, ^ing through the rebel lines 
under escort by a Confederate officer. 

Grant had "made good." **ITe was closing this business 
right here." 

The jubilant officers forgot their fatigue, their travel and 
battle stains and galloped off to meet the Southern general 
who had eluded them so long. 



s s 



Is 



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LAST GRAND SACHEU OF THE IROQUOIS 129 



CHAPTER XII 

THE INDIAN IN THE DRAMA AT APPOMATTOX 

General Lee had chosen the McLean farm-house, which 
stood on one side of a knoll that overlooked the valley 
where both armies lay stretched out for miles. Parker 
often spoke to his friends of that vision that stretched out 
before him as he rode up to the McLean house with Grant 
and his staff. There was a word or two of explanation 
from Sheridan who still doubted Lee's sincerity and then 
Grant approached the house. Lee came to the door and 
greeted Grant. Lee had with him his Military Secretary^ 
Colonel Marshall; and with Grant were Bowers, Babco fik 
and Parker. There followed the other officers of the Union 
forces, among whom were Sheridan, Ord and Porter; Meade 
was twenty miles away. 

In describing the room chosen for the interview General 
Parker said that most of the furnishings had been removed, 
such 86 pictures and bric-a-brac, although some brass 
candlesticks were on a small table. ** There were two 
stands, a mantle-piece, a book-case and several chairs, per- 
haps five, of the old-fashioned hair-cloth style. On the 
long sofa sat General Porter; Colonel Badeau sat to his 
right, then Williams and General^ Rawlins, who occupied 
the right end. Grant sat at a small oval table and Lee took 
his seat at a square-topped stand. The rest of us sat, or 
stood where it was most convenient. We had no form about 
it. I went to one side because of the light. Not everyone 
could find seats. General Lee sat near the front window to 
the left and near Colons) Marshft ll^ who was the only Con- 
federate besides Lee in the room. 



130 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

** Everyone removed his hat upon entering and Grant 
placed his upon the floor or perhaps the table. Ltee was 
dressed in a splendid new uniform and wore a handsome 
saber. Marshall was dressed in a similar way. Colonel 
Marshall was a rather fine-looking gentleman with light 
hair. He wore spectacles, as also did General Lee. 

** Grant wore boots and had on a belted blouse, beneath 
an army coat. He wore no sword and apologized to Lee for 
not wearing it, as he was afraid he might think it a dis- 
courtesy. No, he did not lose his sword, but it had been 
mixed with the baggage and sent oflP. 

*'Lee began talking about the Mexican War and other 
reminiscences. He seemed composed but was quite stiff in 
his dignity. Grant seemed relaxed but as he smoked he 
was thinking hard. Then Lee said he presumed that both 
he and Grant had carefully considered the terms suggested 
by Grant. Grant then looked at Lee and said, *Do I under- 
stand, General Lee, that you will accept the terms T Lee 
answered that he would if Grant would write them out for 
signing. But General Grant simply wrote a letter. There 
was no formal contract. 

** Grant then called for his manifold order-book, which I 
brought him, together with the oval table. The manifold 
book is about twice the size of a business letter sheet and 
has a sort of a stencil that will imprint about six copies at 
;a time. The book was prepared for three copies." 

General Porter in his book ^ describes the writing of the 
letter and says: "When he (Grant) had finished the letter 
he called Colonel Parker to his side and looked it over with 
him and directed him to interline several words." 

**The letter as written in the manifold book was handed 
by General Grant to Lee. Both half rose and leaned over 
their tables. Porter reached out for the book and passed it 



1. "Campaigning with Grant/' page 176. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 131 

to Lee, who cleared his table and put on his spectacles to 
read the terms in the open book before him. 

** General Grant then said unless Lee had some further 
wish he would put the terms in ink and submit his final 
copy. Lee said that he would like to have a statement 
inserted allowing the horses and mules to be retained by 
the men, but Grant said he would not change his letter, but 
inrould grant this request by special order, because he 
thought the war was over and the men would need their 
imimals for farming. Lee handed the book back to Grant. 

''General Grant then called over Colonel Bowers and told 
him to write out the terms in ink. Colonel Bowers, who 
^as senior adjutant, took the book and came over, but was 
so nervous he could not write." 

That historic moment, with all its lack of ostentation, 
was in reality quiet only because of its very tenseness. Men 
yrere outwardly calm, but inwardly greatly agitated. The 
nerves of the Anglo-Saxon tingled with suppressed emotion, 
l)ut Parker, the red man, whose life's discipline had steeled 
bim for composure during times of crisis, was as calm 
inwardly as outwardly. Porter relates that Bowers took 
the book ''and turned the matter over to Colonel Parker, 
whose handwriting presented a better appearance than that 
of anyone else on the staff. Parker sat down to write at 
the oval table which he had moved to the rear of the room." 
There was no ink in the farm house, but "Colonel Marshall 
"now came to the rescue," continues General Porter, "and 
took out a small boxwood inkstand which he placed at 
Parker's service." 

"Having finished it," says General Parker, in telling his 
friend, Sculptor Kelly, of the transcription of the terms, 
^ ' I brought it to General Grant, who signed it, sealed it and 
then handed it to General Lee. When I made the copy in 
ink, I put the ori^nal in my pocket. I then came back 



132 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF TEE IBOQUOIS 

here (pointing to a diagram of the room). The original, 
which I still have, reads as you see in this frame : ' ' 

Headquarters, Armies or the United States, 

Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9, '65. 

jQeiwrdl R. £. LsB, 

Commanding C, 8. Army, 

General: In accordance with the substance of my letter to you 
of the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of 
Northern Virginia on the foUovring terms, to wit: Bolls of all the 
officers and men to be made in duplicate — one copy to be given to 
an officer to be designated by me, the other to be retained by such 
officer or officers as you may designate; the officers to give their 
individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government of 
the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or 
regimental commander to sign a like parole for the men of his com- 
mand. The arms, artillery, and public property are to be packed 
and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive 
them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their 
private horses or baggage. This done, officers and men will be 
allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States 
authority so long as they observe their paroles and the laws in force 
where they may reside. 

Very respectfully, 

U. 8. Grant, 
Lieutenant-General, 

'* General Lee consulted with Colonel Marshall, who came 
over here," said General Parker, referring again to his 
sketch, **and asked me if I had any paper without a printed 
heading. He had none as their baggage wagons had been 
burned. I had nothing but note-paper which I gave him. 
He wrote the note of reply." 

**Was he standing?" asked his artist interviewer. 

''No, he sat by the table or piano with his elbow on it and 
wrote his reply and handed it to (Jeneral Grant, who 
received it." 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 133 

Lee's reply of acceptance was short and pointed. It 

reads: 

Headquarters^ Abaiy op Northern Virginia. 

April 9, 1865. 

General: I received your letter of this date containing the 
terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as proposed 
by you. As they are substantially the same as expressed in your 
letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to desig- 
nate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect. 

R. E. Leb, General, 
Lieutenant-General U. 8. Grant. 

During the letter-writing and the time consumed by 
Marshall and Parker in copying the terms, General Grant 
introduced to Lee the officers of the Union Army who were 
in the room. Lee was especially cordial to Seth Williams, 
who had been an adjutant under Lee when he was the com- 
manding officer at West Point Academy. Lee greeted each 
staff officer and then being introduced to Colonel Parker, 
who was busy with his papers, he looked at him searchingly. 
Porter writes of this incident: ** Parker, being a full-blood 
Indian, when Lee saw his swarthy features, he looked at 
bim with evident surprise, and his eyes rested upon him 
for several seconds. What was passing in his mind no one 
knew, but the natural surmise is that he first mistook 
Parker for a negro." 

This remark also occurs in the Century Company's War- 
l)ook, but it is an inf er^ice that Parker indignantly denied. 
''^ After Lee had stared at me for a moment," said Parker 
to more than one of his friends and relatives, ''he extended 
his hand and said, 'I am glad to see one real American 
here. ' I shook his hand and said, 'We are all Americans. ' " 

This brief conversation occurred in the rear of the room 
and as Lee had his back to the rest in the room except 
Marshall, no one of the several eye-witnesses of the surren- 



134 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IMOQUOIS 

der who wrote of the incidents seemed to have noted it. This 
personal version of the incident was heard by the writer of 
this sketch and was related several times to Mrs. Harriet 
Maxwell Converse, who in the years after the war was an 
intimate friend of Parker's. The writer has recorded the 
story also from the lips of Mr. Kelly, who copied many of 
his interviews with General Parker immediately after they 
happened. We thus seek to make the record straight. 

After the conversation and introductions, each Genera) 
signed his letter. Grant used the oval table, which Parker 
again carried over to him. Then Parker handed the 
transcribed copy to Colonel Marshall, who in turn handed 
Lee's acceptance to Parker. Most of the oflScers then went 
out of the room, but Parker remained at the oval table and 
wrote out the directions for carrying into effect the final 
terms. This he did in his own words, being familiar with 
Grant's wishes. These messages, so significant in import- 
ance> are entirely in Parker's handwriting, and indeed 
signed by him. They are reproduced below : 

(Special Orders) 

Headquartebs, Armies of the United States, 

In the Field, April 9, 1865. 

Major Gen. John Gibbon, Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles Griffin, and 
Bvt. Maj. Gen. Wealej Merritt are hereby designated to carry into 
effect the stipulations this day entered into between General B. E. 
Lee, commanding C. S. Armies, and Lieutenant -General Grant, com- 
manding Armies of the United States, in which General Lee surrender? 
to General Grant the Army of Northern Virginia. 

Bvt. Brig. Gen. G^rge H. Sharpe, assistant provost-marshal- 
general, will receive and take charge of the rolls called for by the 
above-mentioned stipulations. 

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant. 

E S. Parker, 
lAeutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 135 

Headquarters, Armies of the United States, 

Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. 
General Meade: 

General: The Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac and 
the Twenty-foarth Corps of the Army of the James will remain here 
until the stipulations of the surrender of the C. S. Army, known as 
the Army of Northern Virginia, entered into by General R. E. Leo 
and the lieutenant-general commanding, have been carried into effect^ 
and the captured and surrendered public property has been secured. 
All the other forces will be moved back to BurkeviUe, starting to- 
morrow where they will go into camp. The chief ordnance officer of 
the Army of the Potomac will collect and take charge of all captured 
and surrendered ordnance and ordnance stores and remove them to 
BurkeviUe. The acting chief quartermaster of the Army of the 
James will collect and take charge of all the captured and surrendered 
quartermaster's property and stores and remove them to BurkeviUe. 
You will please give such orders to your troops and officers of the 
staff departments as wUl secure the execution of the foregoing 
instructions. The troops going to BurkeviUe will turn over to those 
remaining here all the subsistance stores — ^they may have a bare 
sufficiency to take them back. 

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant. 

E. S. Parker, 
Acting Assistant Adjutant-GeneraJ, 

During the entire proceedings Grant had smoked a cigar 
which he half chewed. This fact was strongly impressed 
upon Parker, for in looking over Kelly's picture sketched 
for Bryant's history he said as he smiled, **If you want to 
make the thing historically correct, though I don't know 
that it will improve it, you will have to show Grant with a 
cigar in his mouth." Mr. Kelly adds in his notes, **I put 
the suggestion in the finished picture." In later years 
Parker told in a series of recollections, published in 
McClure's Magazine, how Grant once lost his cigar because 
of his own strict orders. His story is : 



136 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

'^AU military men know that orders emanating from 
proper authority must be obeyed and executed without 
question, and that officers and men entrusted with them 
must obey and execute them irrespective of the station or 
rank of the person or persons they may aflfect. President 
Lincoln once experienced the rigidity of military orders, 
when, late in the fall of 1864, he attempted to enter General 
Grant's Headquarters camp at City Point, Virginia, by 
crossing the sentinel's lines. He was promptly halted by 
the sentinel and informed where the entrance to the camp 
was. He told the sentinel who he was, and explained his 
right to pass anywhere within the lines of the army. The 
sentinel was inexorable, simply replying that he might be 
ail he claimed to be, but that the orders were positive not 
to let any one pass his line, and he would not. Lincoln was 
perforce compelled to go a little farther, and enter the camp 
at the proper entrance. 

''About the same time General Grant had an experience 
not similar, but which was another example of the inflexi- 
bility of military orders. After lunch one day, he asked 
me to accompany him in a walk along the Quartermaster's 
wharves. Accordingly, lighting our cigars, we descended 
the stairs to the Appomattox river, the foot of the stairs 
being about three hundred feet from the head of the wharf, 
on the James river. We walked leisurely to the wharf, 
enjoying our cigars. We had not gone far on the wharf 
when a sentinel halted us, saying : ' Gentlemen, it is against 
orders to smoke on the wharf.' Nothing more was said, 
but our cigars went into the river. A few moments later 
the General remarked: *I am sorry to lose my smoke, but 
the order is right. ' I can not say whether or not the guard 
knew the General, but he knew his duty, and doubtless 
would have arrested us had we disobeyed him. 

** Smoking seemed to be a necessity to General Grant's 
organism, rather than a luxury. With him it antagonized 



n 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 137 

nervousness, and evidently was an aid to thought; for I 
often noticed that he smoked the hardest when in deep 
thought, or engaged in writing an important document. 
After the terrible battles about Spottsylvania in 1864, and 
when the second flank movement toward Richmond was in 
process of execution, he asked for paper on which to write 
a report to Washington of the battles, and of his future 
plans. As I sat only a few feet from him I noticed that he 
was smoking very hard, at times completely enveloping his 
face in the smoke. Finally, blowing it all away from him, 
he wrote his dispatch, in which occurs the epigrammatic 
phrase, 'I will fight it out on this line if it takes all 
summer' — a phrase that infused new life and confidence 
into the Northern mind. He smoked in the same manner 
when, near Appomattox, he received General Lee's last note 
asking for a meeting with a view to surrender; and again 
when sitting with Lee in McLean's parlor arranging the 
terms of surrender. 

''Before Lee left the McLean house he asked one more 
favor. His men were suffering from lack of food and if 
possible he wished Grant to issue rations to them. 

** 'General Grant/ said Lee, *I want to ask you some- 
thing. If our positions were reversed I would grant it to 
you. My men are starving and I wish to ask if you will 
give them rations.' 

How many men have you got ? ' asked Grant. 
About twenty-five thousand,' answered Lee. 
General Grant came over to me and said, [and here 
Parker smiled, interpolates Mr. Kelly] *I guess you had 
better make out an order for thirty thousand.' He knew, 
and did not propose to have any one suffer. ' ' // 

At nine o'clock on the morning of April 10th Grant and 
his staff rode out and took their station on a knoll over- 
looking both armies. It was attempted to pass through the 
Confederate lines, but the pickets had not been instructed 






138 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 

to permit the entry of the Union officers. Notice, however, 
was sent to Lee who at once rode forward and £p:eeted 
Grant, when both raised their hats. The subordinate 
officers gave similar salutes and grouped themselves about 
their commanders. 

Parker came with his leather portfolio slung over his 
shoulder, ready for taking notes ; and then, he tells us, ' ' I 
used to carry a little wooden ink-bottle with a screw top 
and when I would write I would tie it to my button-hole. 
I always carried my portfolio slung over my shoulder.*' 
In describing the incidents of the morning of April 10th,, 
General Parker told his artist friend, Mr. Kelly, that he 
was much impressed by the picturesqueness of the scene. 

** There is one scene that would make a good picture," he 
said. ''The affairs at the McLean house were the pre- 
liminaries of the surrender. The next day General Grant 
and his staff went down here," and he drew the diagram 
of a stream. ** General Lee came down this way" — draw- 
ing another line and making a dot opposite Grant. ''They 
sat on their horses and discussed the final terms ot the 
surrender, while the officers of General Lee mingled with 
ours who instinctively drew back and formed a half circle 
in the rear of Generals Grant and Lee. General Grant sat 
here" — ^making a dot; "General Lee sat here. As they 
would come to a decision on any point I would write it 
down." 

"Did they have any writing or signing there?" asked 
the artist. 

"No, I would write it down, and sign it by order of 
General Grant. I was over here" — ^pointing to a dot at the 
right of Grant. "There was an old stump and I would 
stoop over it while I wrote. 

"I remarked at the time to a couple of rebel officers that 
it was a pity an artist was not here to make a picture of 
the scene. Looking from here" — indicating the sun coming 



tl 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 13» 

from the left and rear of Oeneral Grant — ''the sun came^ 
from behind them and made a very pretty sight.'' 

As he started to make this diagram, ' ' records the artist^ 

I asked him to make it in my book, but he said, 'No, I 
will make it here, ' and he made a diagram of the scene on 
his writing-pad. I then, on the margin of his pad, made the 
composition which he said was correct. Pointing to the 
group of officers in the rear of the Oenerals I asked him if 
he would name the officers who were in the crowd. 

'' 'All of our principal officers, and a great many of the 
Confederates, ' he answered. Looking at my sketch he said^ 
'That is a first-rate scene. I think it would make a good 
picture. It would make a better picture than the interior 
of the house. ' I said, ' I think I will get the editor to use- 
this picture instead,' but Parker said, 'No, that scene i» 
more interesting historically, while this is only the culmin- 
ation of the agreements that were entered upon the day^ 
before ; it was only finishing up the business, as it were.' To 
which I added, 'Filing up the casting.' 'Yes, that is so,*^ 
he acceded. ' ' 

During the conference of Orant and Lee, Parker wrote- 
out the orders for the parole of the officers and men in Lee '» 
army. It was glad news for the Confederates, who at first 
feared harsh terms. The magnanimity of Grant at first 
surprised them; then it overwhelmed them with gratitude 
and they gladly signed their paroles, not one refusing. The 
order as posted, read as follows : 

Special Orders, 
No. 73. 

Headquastbbs, Asmies of thb United States, 

In the Field, April 10, 1865. 

I. — ^All officers and men of the Confederate seryiee paroled at 
Appomattox Court House, Va., who, to reach their homes, are com- 
polled to pass through the lines of the Union armies, wiU be allowed 



140 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THM IROQUOIS 

to do 80, and to pass free on all Goyernmeni transports and militarj 
railroads. 

II. — ^Bvt. Gren. B. H. Jackson, XT. S. Volunteers, is hereby 
assigned to duty according to his brevet rank, by authority of the 
Secretary of War. 

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant. 

E. S. Pabxxb, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting AMiatant Adjwtani-Generdl, 

It was then echoed through the Confederate lines in the 
form given below : 

Special Orders, 

No 

Hradquabtees, Army or Nokthebn Va. 

AprU 10, 1869. 

The following order is published for the information of all 
parties conoemed: 

Special OrderBy 
No 

Hbadquastebs, Armies or the United States, 

In the Field, April 10, 1865. 

All officers and men of the Confederate serrice paroled at Appo- 
mattox Court House who, to reach their homes are compelled to pas9 
through the lines of the Union Armies, will be allowed to do so^ and 
to pass free on all Gkyvemment transports and military railroads. 

By command of Lieutenant-General Grant : 

E. B. Pabker, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-Oenerai. 

By command of General R. E. Lee, 

C. S. Venable. 
Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Thus the Indian whose enlistment had been refused 
'because the war was "a white man's war," after all was 
<;alled upon for service. Thus it happened that the words 



LAST GEAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QV0I8 141 

of Secretary Seward came back, '^ It is an affair in which 
the Indian is not called to act. The fight must be settled 
by the white men alone. Gk> home, cultivate your farm and 
we will settUl our own troubles without any Indian aidj" 

And yet the Iroquois Indians alone sent three hundred 
of the flower of their race to battle in this white man's war. 
^hey gave men whom the army records show, '*for stature^ 
physical fitness and endurance had no equal in the entire 
army." The Iroquois Indians gave two army surgeons to 
the Union cause, and provided the military engineer, the 
adjutant-general, the military secretary whose record we 
have related. Thus, after all, it must be said that it was 
in the handwriting of an Iroquois sachem, and an Indian 
that the two warring factions of the white race were finally 
united. And as a reward for his services, he was declared 
competent, even though an Indian, to become a citizen and 
ft voter. 



142 LAST OBAND BACHSM OF XHB IBOQVOIS 



CHAPTER XIII 

THE WAiRRIOR AFTER THE WAR 

Colonel Parker followed Grant back to Washington, 
where he continued his office as Military Secretary. No 
sooner had he taken his desk at headquarters than he 
was presented with a document which conferred upon him 
the brevet title, Brigadier-General of United States Volun- 
teers, ''for gallant and meritorious services during the cam- 
paign terminating with the surrender of the insurgent 
army under General Robert E. Lee/' The document was 
dated April 9, 1865, the day Lee surrendered. 

The labor of administering the affairs of the army after 
Grant's return to Washington was an arduous one. The war 
was not entirely over. Johnson had not finally surrendered, 
but when cornered by Sherman began adroitly to dicker for 
terms. Then came the assassination of Abraham Lincoln 
and the grief of a nation. General Parker was a great 
admirer of Lincoln, whom he knew, and his grief was deep 
and sincere. 

General Parker, and indeed the entire staff, were alarmed 
lest Grant also be murdered, and redoubled the vigilance 
with which they had watched his safety. Grant only 
escaped the aim of the coward by his absence from Wash- 
ington. It was fully expected that he would be at a box at 
Ford's Theatre but his fatherly heart, lonely for his chil- 
dren, caused him to change his plans and he had taken the 
train for Burlington, N. J., where his children were at 
school. He returned immediately, and controlling his sor- 
row he left for the South to adjust the difficulties into 
which Sherman had fallen in treating with Johnson. These 
were bu^y days for (General Parker. From that time on 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IROQUOIS 143 

he labored at the War Department, resigning April 26, 
1869. 

On July 1, 1866, he was honorably mustered out of the 
volunteer service and was appointed as Second Lieutenant 
of U. S. Cavalry. On June 1, 1867, he was promoted to 
First Lieutenant. Then in the service of the regular U. S. 
Army, he received the brevets of Captain, Major, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel, Colonel; and on March 2, 1867, the brevet 
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, **for gallant and meri- 
torious service during the war.'' 

He had faced the rebel minie-ball, the cannon shot, 
^rape and canister, saber and bayonet at Vicksburg, at 
Lookout Mountain, at Missionary Bidge, about Chat- 
tanooga, at Ringgold, Georgia, in the Wilderness, at Spott- 
sylvania, at Cold Harbor, and in all the battles and opera- 
tions about Petersburg and Richmond in '64- '65, and in 
the campaigns that terminated at Appomattox. The target 
of many a bullet as he rode his great black horse, slashed 
at by rebel saber, and the mark of bursting shells, he 
never received a wound that left more than a harmless 
mark. His prediction was fulfilled. As he wrote to his 
brother, he did not believe that he was to be killed in the 
war. 

General Parker aocompanied General Grant and the staff 
during the tour of the great leader after the war. Many 
of the photographs taken at the time show him at Grant's 
side. General Parker, Colonels Bowers and Bibcock, 
watched Grant with the eyes of hawks lest some harm 
befall him. It was feared that some crank might yet send 
a bullet into him even as was done to Lincoln. Captain 
Beckwith in his address at the. grave of General Parker in 
Buffalo ^ alludes to the care with which Grant was guarded. 

General Parker left one or two stories of his tour with 
Orant, among them the following: 



1. See Publications, Buffalo Historical SoC: Vol. VIII. p. 515. 



144 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU018 

**In 1865, as Grant was returning from a visit to West 
Point, New York, accompanied by his Assistant Adjutant 
tjreneral, Colonel Bowers — a man greatly beloved by all who 
knew him — was killed at Garrison's Station by the cars. 
The next morning the staff found General Grant at Army 
Headquarters on Seventeenth Street, Washington. He 
looked haggard and nearly distracted with grief at the loss 
of a favorite oflBcer. He said to the staff: 'Gentlemen, 
Colonel Bowers was accidentally killed at Garrison's yes- 
terday. I wish as many of you as can to go to the funeral. 
I can not go. The loss has come very near X-o me. ' To us 
this determination did not seem strange. We knew how 
devotedly he was attached to Colonel Bowers, who had been 
on his staff since the battle of Shiloh, and we knew, besides; 
how very fatigued he must be, having traveled all night to 
reach Washingtt)n. Nearly all the staff decided to go to 
the funeral and left Headquarters to make the necessary 
preparations, agreeing to meet again in the railroad station. 
What was their surprise, on coming to the station, to find 
General Grant there, and to learn that he also was going 
back to the funeral. '* 

Long before the war the administration of Indian affairs 
had been a serious problem to honest citizens and legis- 
lators. The entire system was corrupt, Indians not only 
were massacred upon the slightest provocation, but even 
when peaceful they were encroached upon and robbed. 
There was a powerfully entrenched machine back of this 
system of murder and robbery. Each thief had his 
lobbyist. 

General Parker kept up his interest in his own people 
and several years before the war, in 1859, had been success- 
ful in saving the Tonawanda Senecas their home land. The 
tract of country set aside for them in Kansas was sold and 
he had arranged that the proceeds be used for the purchase 
of the Tonawanda Reservation, and that the nation as a cor- 



LAST GBAND SACEEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 145 

poration hold it by deed of purchase. In this manner the 
Tonawandas bought back their domain and today hold it 
more securely than any corporation of citizens holds its 
property. In 1867 General Parker, to still further protect 
his nation, drafted ''an Act for the protection and improve- 
ment of the Tonawanda band of Seneca Indians residing on 
the Tonawanda Reservation in this State." Afterward he 
drew up the national laws of the tribal council and made 
his people secure in their happiness. 

In financial affairs he was likewise successful and soon 
had a comfortable fortune. He had never cared especially 
for wealth, but as he moved about in the circles of Washing- 
ton society he met a lady who all unknowingly led him to 
seek to increase his fortunes. 

During the fall of 1867 Washington society received the 
announcement of the engagement of Miss Minnie Sackett, 
to General Parker. Later the wedding invitations an- 
nounced the ceremony on December 17th. The elite of the 
nation's capitol were invited, for General Grant had been 
chosen to give the bride away. The church was filled with 
guests and flowers, but no groom appeared. 

Printed accounts say that a few days later General 
Parker appeared. He never made any public explanation 
of his conduct but his private apology to his fiancee was 
apparently successful for the date was set ahead to Christ- 
mas. It was expected that the wedding would take place 
at the Church of the Epiphany. Thither flocked the invited 
guests and the rank and fashion of Washington were once 
more met with closed doors and all absence of preparation. 
In the meantime the bride and groom had skipped off to 
''a little church around the corner" and had been privately 
joined in wedlock. It is probable that the fuss and feathers 
of a ** civilized marriage ceremony" had proven too much 
for the simple nature of the red man; so reads the account 
as the public knows it. 



146 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IS0QV0I8 

The real fact, which has never been related, is that one 
of his friends was his rival. On the day of December 17, 
1867, General Parker was dragged in hopes that it would 
not only spoil the wedding, but change the mind of the 
bride. Then later came a more sinister threat neatly veiled. 
No one knows what might have happened if there had been 
a wedding at the Church of the Epiphany. Washington 
society might have had more sensational topics to discuss. 
No one now knows the exact story of the circumstances 
attending the marriage. Suffice it to know that they nar- 
rowly bordered on a tragedy. But then, many a tale of 
love .and war brings into view many things that appear 
abnormal and strange when viewed in ordinary lights. 

The routine of office work following the reduction of the 
army, kept General Parker busily engaged. His knowledge 
of Indian affairs was constantly increasing through the 
various visits which he made in the West in behalf of the 
Government He often met and discussed Indian affairs 
with western Indian delegates and did his utmost to assist 
them to obtain justice. More and more he felt that their 
outbreaks against the settlers in the West were due to a 
lack of care and understanding in dealing with them. 

Several grand councils were held in Indian Territory in 
which General Parker addressed the assembled representar 
tives of the various tribes. Nor have the older Indians 
entirely forgotten these meetings with the Government 
commissioners. 

During January, 1913, the writer, together with Pro- 
fessor M. Raymond Harrington of the University of Penn- 
sylvania Museum, met at the home of Comanche Jack for 
a council. Our plan was to stimulate the interest of the 
chief in the Society of American Indians and to explain the 
plans of the organization for the uplift of the race. The 
writer made a lengthy speech to the dozen of men present 
and listened as it was interpreted. Comanche Jack made 






• \ • • • 






••• • • 

• • • • 



• • 



• • 









'• • 



• • • • 

• •• • 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 147 

a splendid reply, giving his reasons for believing that the 
Indian should now know how to walk over the white man's 
road. Then a surprise was sprung. Old Cabeyo, the medi- 
*cine man, arose, and looking at the writer as he sat on a 
roll of blankets on the floor said : ^ ' See how black his hair. 
He is an Indian. What he says is true. I heard those 
statements nearly fifty years ago at a big council. There 
were several white men who were commissioners and one 
Indian. He spoke. He said: 'In the East are Indians who 
live like white men. They have houses and bams, they 
send their children to school. Some day one of them will 
come and tell you what you must do to save your people 
from destruction.' For many years I have wondered if 
that man would come. What you hav^ told us is true. This 
•day have my eyes seen him. You are that man." And 
Old Cabeyo the Comanche pointed his finger, his arm 
extended at full length. 

This plan of General Parker's, of meeting the Indians 
lialf way, did much to suggest the ** Peace Policy" later 
inaugurated by President Grant. It had been in Parker's 
mind for many years. 

During Grant's busy campaign in 1868 for the Presi- 
-dency both Parker and Rawlins were kept busy furnishing 
information and answering the numerous letters that came 
in. Parker was an ardent Grant man as were all who knew 
the great military leader. A letter written by General 
Parker to his brother's children explains in his own words 
his life during this period : 

Headquarters. Army of the United States. 

Washington, D. C, Oct. Ist, 1868. 

To My Nephews Freddie, Franhie, Albert and My Niece Minnie. 

Dear Ohildebn: — ^It is a long time ago since I received from 
each of you, nice IKtle letters, transmitted by your kind teacher 
miss Clark. I have been a great bear for not answering you sooner, 
and I hope you will tell me so the next time we meet, should it please 



148 LAST GMAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

ProTidence to gra^it oa that privilege. Your letters were very niee 
indeed, they pleased me much and gave me occular proof of the 
progress you have all made in your studies. I hope that you ha^e 
improved much since you wrote to me, and that yon have always 
been good, kind and obedient to your teacher and to your parents aF 
well as to your estimable uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Wright. 

I am very busy looking after and attending to the interests of 
the great army of the United States, as well as the interests and 
wants of her citizens generally and that I suppose is the main reason 
why my little people are neglected. Tet I have thought of you often. 

Crongress was in session until July and it kept myself and others 
very busy in answering and attending to all their questions and 
demands for information. Then General Grant went away to the 
Rocky Mountains early in July and nearly all his officers left the 
city soon after, leaving only myself and General Rawlins, the Chief 
of Staif, at these headquarters to do all the work and represent 
General Grant, and this I can tell you is no easy work to do. The 
work was too much for General Rawlins and he was taken sick. liast 
Monday he left the city to be gone perhaps a year. This has left 
me almost alone for besides the Assistant Adjutant General there is 
only one officer here to keep me company. 

General Grant you kuow is the Republican candidate for Pres- 
ident of the United States, in opposition to Seymour of your State, 
and this fact has made my work a great deal heavier, as we are 
compelled to see and talk with politicians from every part of the 
country. I want to see Grant elected, because I think he is the best 
patriot and that he only can bring peace to the country. He is a 
very niee man indeed. He is a great general and has a good heart. 
He loves his country and greatly desires to see it enjoy the blessings 
of peace and prosperity. He has a very pleasant family. He is 
father of four children. The oldest is named Freddie, he is now at 
West Point Military Academy studying to become a soldier. The 
next is named Ulysses S., after his father, but he is generally called 
''Buckie" or ''Buck," because he was born in Ohio, the Buekeye 
State of the Union. The next child is a daughter named Nellie— she 
is about 12 years old and is a very sweet, pretty and smart girl. The 
youngest child is a boy, named Jesse, and he is very smart and 
bright. He owns a pair of Shetland ponies not quite as large as 
some Newfoundland dogs I have seen, and with these he drives about 
our streets, in his little buggy, which his fathor had made for them, 
or he Kides pony-back. They go v^zy fast a^d can really worry a 
large horse in point of speed. You may also recollect my ponies, that 



LAST GSAND SACHEM OF TBE iBO^UOIS 1^ 

yoar Pa kept for me. I have them yet and they are very beautiful 
and very fast. I enjoy driving them very mueh. I shall probably 
go North in two or three weeke with your aunt Minnie, but I don't 
know as I shall have time to eoihe and see you. I shall be at Aunt 
Oftrrie's only a day. I caaaot be gone long from here, and that is 
the reason I cannot prdtfiise to see ^ou. Oive my love to font Pit 
and Ma. Your Aunt Minnie sends love to all. She has gone to 
Baltimore today and left me alone. 

From your 

Uncle Ely. 



150 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 



CHAPTER XIV 

AN INDIAN COMMISSIONER OP INDIAN AFFAIRS 

After General Grant was inaugurated as President of 
the United States one of his first appointments was that of 
General Parker to the office of Commissioner of Indian 
Affairs. 

General Parker entered upon his new task with a strong 
determination to lift the people of his race from their 
unhappy condition. Two ideas controlled his policy. The 
first was to make the Indian himself see his duty in becom- 
ing a useful and constructive member of society, to make 
him economically independent, contributing his share to 
the sum total of human welfare. The second idea was to 
impress the various departments of the Government with 
the idea that the people of the United States owed the 
Indians a clean administration of their affairs, and not 
only that, but that they must take upon themselves the 
burden of rescuing the Indian from the unhappy state into 
which he had been thrust and of lifting him up into an 
understanding of civilization and Christianity. 

He knew how the old Indian looked upon civilization 
and the church. Civilization to the Indian had meant a 
conflict with a thousand evils that were only elementary in 
his original state. It meant an abandonment of many of 
his old ideals and a crushing out of native virtues. It 
meant an entirely different economic life. Frequently it 
meant the entire destruction of the tribe through disease 
and rum. 

Two great departures occurred in the administration of 
Indian affairs, when General Parker was appointed. One 
was the creation of the Board of Indian Commissioners 
and the other the institution of the ''Peace Policy.'' A new 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 151 

day had dawned for the Indian and for the first time the 
Government began its duty to save and uplift at all cost, the 
people whom its citizens had robbed and debauched. The 
Board of Indian Commissioners was a body of highly con- 
scientious men, some of them almost supersensitive. 

The whole ** bureau system" was graft-ridden. The 
goods placed in Government warehouses for Indians were 
stolen or replaced with inferior material. Contractors who 
had no conscience were continually foisting upon the Gov- 
ernment worthless cloth and food. Cattle-dealers who were 
paid for delivering ^'beef on foot" reaped a rich harvest 
of gold. One of the schemes which they successfully 
worked was to drive their consignment of cows onto a 
reservation, get the agent's receipt^ wait until the beef had 
been distributed to the Indians and then either steal, or 
buy them back for a trinket or a few pennies — twenty-five 
cents in most cases ; then drive them on to the next agency 
and deliver them there, only to repeat the operation. Men 
like this had money to defend themselves with and were 
seldom caught. The need of a competent board of citizens 
to watch these scoundrels and to check up the warehouses 
was imperative. 

To fulfill this need President Grant appointed the Board 
of Indian Commissioners whose duty should be to bring the 
public, the Indian and the Government into close terms of 
accord and sjrmpathy. General Parker felt that this board 
would be of great service and he at once sought its co-opera- 
tion. The first letter of instruction from the Indian 
Bureau to the Board was written by Commissioner Parker 
and is reproduced below: 

Department op the Interior, 

Office op Indian Affairs, 
WASHINGTON, May 26, 1869. 

To the Board of Indian Commissioners. 

GENHiBHEN: — Tou have been Bolieited bj the Preadent, under 
the provision of the fourth section of the act of Congress, approved 



152 LAST GRJJfB SACHEM OF THE IHOQVOIS 

April lOy 1869, entitled ''An act making appropriation for the cur- 
rent and contingent ezpenaes of the Indian Department," etc., for 
the jear ending June 30. 1870, for the purpose of enabling the 
Preeident to exercise the power conferred by said act. And I beins: 
authorised by the same act to exercise, under the direction of the 
President; joint control with the Secretary of the Interior over the 
diabursement of the appropriations made by said act, or any part 
thereof that the president may designate (and you having been con- 
vened in the city for the purpose of organizing for the execution of 
your duties), and believing that, in common with the President and 
other officers of the government, you desire the humanization, civili- 
zation and Ohriatianization of the Indians, I very respectfully, after 
consultation with the honorable Secretary of the Interior, submit the 
following question^ which with a view of proper and intelligent 
action in the future relation of the government with the Indians, I 
deem it important should receive your early consideration and suj;- 
gestion, viz.: A determination or settlement of what should bo 
the legal statua of the Indiana; a deflnition of their righfts 
and obligations under the lawa of the United States, of the States 
and Territories and treaty stipulations; whether any more treaties 
shall be stipulated with the Indians, and if not, what legislation is 
necessary for those with whom there are existing stipulations, and 
what for those whith whom no such stipulations exist; should the 
Indians be placed upon reservations, and if so what is the best method 
to accomplish this object ; should not legislation discriminate between 
the civilized and localized Indians and the roving tribes of the {dains 
and mountains; what changes are necessary in existing laws relating 
to purchasing goods and provisions for the Indians, in order to 
prevent fraud, etc.; should any change be made in the method of 
paying the money annuities and if so whatf Great mischief, evils, 
and frequently serious results follow from friendly Indians leaving 
the reservations, producing conflicts between the citizens, soldiers 
and Indians. At what time and point shall the civil rule begin and 
the military endf Is any change required in the intercourse laws 
by reason of the present ehanged comfition of the country t I 
respectfully suggest that inspection should be nuMJe by year com- 
mission of as many Indian tribes, especially the wild and roving 
ones, as the time of the honorable commissioners will permit, and 
their conditions and wants be reported on, with any suggestion 
that each case may seem to require. Also, the accounts of superin- 
tendents and agents should be examined, and the efficiency or ineffi- 
ciency of those officers should be reported upon. All suggest ioiia> 



LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THB IWQUOIS 153 

reieommeKclationfl and reports from the eommisrion should M msde 
to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, to be by him submitted, 
when neeessary, to the President and Congress. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

E. 6. Pakkck, 

Ctymmisticner. 



It will be noted that General Parker at the very begin- 
ning of his administration saw the vital need of detemun- 
ing the exact legal statns of the Indian together with an 
exact definition of all their rights and disabilities as laid 
down by the many complex laws and treaties. This su$r- 
gestion was never carried out, and, because of this lack of 
definiteness, the Indian and the Government have becii 
forced to pay millions of dollars in legal fees, in seeking 
to adjust details. The Indian has suffered more than the 
loss of money ; his flesh and blood and his very soul have 
been sacrificed upon the altar of neglect. Ohly now is the 
public awakening to the need of a re-codification of Indian 
law and a determination of the legal status of each tribe, 
band and division of Indians. 

In the first annual report submitted by Commissioner 
Parker in 1869 were many important suggestions. 

The difficulty of enforcing the law on the frontier caused 
much expense in property and life. In concluding his 
report for 1869 the Commissioner in this connection says: 

I deem it my duty in closing this report to invite attention to 
the insulBciency, or the want of means to enforce existing laws and 
to remedy evils which are common throughout the entire service. 
Acts of a criminal character are often committed in the vieiiiity of 
Indian agencies, or upon Indian reservations, by botib whites anit 
Indians, no notice of which is taken for want of adeqaate power at 
hand, and frequently when authority is asked from Washington to 
arrest the offenders, they in the meanwhile escape, so that the effect 
prompt action would have had is entirely lost, and crimes go unpun- 
ished, to be renewed again with impunity. To make the uncivilizet 
Indian respect law and observe his treaty obligations, the power to 



154 LAST GEAND SACHEM OF TEE IE0QU0I8 

punish must be present, and the penalty of violateil^law promiitly- 
enforced. The same may also be said of the whites, Tvho would not 
so readily commit wrongs against the Indians if they knew that 
punishment would follow close upon the commission of the crime. 
To the end therefore that it may be made apparent to the Indian» 
as well as to the whites in any way connected or dealing with them» 
that the Government intends to execute the laws applicable to sr.ch 
cases and treaties, it is respectfully recommended that Congress be 
asked to pass a statute requiring the military to station at the 
agencies, whenever requested by proper authority, a sufficient number 
of troops to assist the agent in charge to make prompt arrest of all 
persons offending, that they may be handed over to the civil authori- 
ties for trial. 

In achieving the office of Commissioner of Indian Affairs,. 
General Parker had reached the highest goal which hii» 
dreams of usefulness could bring to his mind. The great 
desire of his life — to serve his race — ^had reached its ful- 
fillment. Friends of the race rejoiced in the fact that an 
Indian was administering the affairs of his people and 
rendering the Federal Government a unique service. 

For the first time there was an Indian Commissioner of 
Indian Affairs, and needless to say that Commissioner 
loved his people, and they trusted him and looked to him 
with hope. It was the first faint hope of permanent self- 
government, freedom, and a new day of life for the red 
race in America. 

For the first time in the history of the Indian Depart- 
ment, Indian affairs were being cleaned up. The numerous^ 
councils held in the West by Commissioner Parker and the 
various members of the Board of Commissioners had a 
salutary effect upon the Indians who had reason to believe 
they had been injured. A new era had come for the 
Indians, and also for the grafting contractors. The latter 
were losing their customary profits, for many eyes were 
directed toward them. Their schemes therefore became 
shrewder than before and with great subtlety they put in 



LAST GJSAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQVOIS 15S 

vogue new operations to defraud both the Qovemment and 
the Indians. If they could then throw the blame upon the 
head of the Commissioner, they wanted to do so. 

Then there fell like a thunderbolt upon General Parker 
an accusation lodg^ed by William Welsh, one of the mem- 
bers of the Board who had resigned. He accused Parker 
of scheming to defraud the Government of the United 
States and to mulct the Indians out of their just dues. 
His venom was such that he scornfully remarked about 
General Grant and libeled the Indian race it«elf by exclaim- 
ing that the President had put into office ''one who is but a 
remove from barbarism." When good men go **wiW 
they sometimes do many damaging things and slander with- 
out thought men who may be entirely innocent. The battle 
waxed so fiercely that General Parker was in February^ 
1871, tried before a Committee of the House of Represen- 
tatives. 

Mr. Welsh's charges were that General Parker exceeded 
his authority and had responded to measures requiring 
immediate attention by prompt action without consulting* 
the Board. He was charged with neglecting rules, with 
violating the law and with wasteful use of public money.. 
Thirteen charges were brought. 

General Parker welcomed an investigation into hi» 
administration. His files were open, but even this did not 
satisfy his accusers. They looked into his bank account to 
find the grafted millions that their suspicion had scented^ 
but found the Commissioner a poor man indeed. Ne 
millions and no thousands could be found. Every one of 
their charges was disproven by the records of the Interior 
Department or the Indian office. The ''bad Indian" could 
not be roped and branded with the title "bad." 

The trial was held during the first winter months of 
1871. There was a steady purpose seen throughout the 
trial to ruin General Parker if possible. The General, how- 



156 LAST OBAN D 8ACHEU OF THE IK0QV0I8 

erer, answered all queatiotis freely, opened up hia records 
and invited critioal inspection of all his official aets. His 
Mtomey was General Chapman, and the entire proceedings 
were ordered published in the House Docuinents of 1871. 

The House Ccnnmittee reviewed the evidence, and f6und 
that the incompetence and neglect whieh had been charged 
were not of the Commissioner, but of his subordinates. 
Many an Indian Commissioner has since seen all his good 
plans set at naught by the scheming or neglect of an assist- 
ant or a dishonest superintendent. The committee Hfter a 
long investigation summed up the trial by saying : 

But your committee have not found evidence of fraud or eorrup- 
tion on/ the part of the Indian Commiisioner. With much to critidae 
4Uid condemn, arising partly from a vieioos system inherit^ from 
the past and partly from error in judgment in the conttraetion of 
statutes passed to insure economy ... we have found no evi- 
dence of any pecuniary or personal advantage sought or derived by 
the Commissioner or any one connected with the bureau. 

In the end General Parker was found without a stain, 
but his heart was broken. Re had done his utmost un- 
selfishly and with the single idea in his mind of doing 
immediately what shotild be done instead of dra(?ging 
around his work the tangled coils of ''red tape." But one 
thing could not be undone entirely. He had started 
reforms aiid new methods. These lived and the Indians 
lirenefited. * * £iarbarian, ' ' though he was called by the Phila- 
delphia shopkeeper, he was yet a gentleman, and among all 
the documents that he left not one sftir is cast against Mr. 
"Welsh, or one derogatory reference having a person^ 
•element is made toward his accusers. Though he was 
assailed he never lifted his voice to iinrtkte his encnUies. 
"They were good men, without doubt — every one — but it is 
to be feared they were mis^idefd in their zeal to discover 
cirime's stain on innocent hands. 



LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 157 

Under Parker's administration all Indian wars ceased. 
Under Parker there was an era of peace, for Indian blood- 
shed had been shown to be unnecessary. The Indians were 
beginning to develop a new confidence in *'the Ooyern- 
ment.'' Christian men and women of all denominations 
were sent to the tribes as missionaries and teachers. For 
the first time a systematic effort had been made to do a real 
service to the wards of the nation. 

Then came the onslaught: *'The Indian fimst he put 
out!" But every efiSart was defeated. Parker was cleared, 
but as he says in one of his letters, ''I gave up a thankless 
position to enjoy my declining days in peace and quiet.'' 
He resigned in August, 1871. What now was before him? 
Ten years before, General Parker had been a successful 
civil engineer, entrusted with important undertakings. 
Wh^i the Government had wanted difficult pieces of work 
done Paiker had been the man for the job. When light- 
house, levee or canal was wanted and there seemed to be 
grave difficulties in the way, problems to solve and dangers 
to avoid, men in official position knew whom to choose. 
Even the railroads knew the man to select when a road- 
bed must be laid across a swamp. It was always Parker, 
the man with a reputation for making good. He was the 
man to work night and day on a scheme for success; he 
was the man who could figure out details, and best of all he 
was the man who could stick until the work was finished. 

As an engineer he was a success, his life's labor seemed 
assured. Then he heard the call of his country and 
responded. He stayed until the war was over and in his 
own handwriting had written out the terms of settlement. 
Continually he had stayed in the War Office and helped 
clear the way for the reconstruction. 

Event after event followed as a natural sequ^ice. Grant, 
the idol of the North, was announced as the candidate for 
the Presidency. Parker clung to his leader and did his 



158 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

share to make the campaign a success. Grant was elected 
and again Parker heard the call to service. It was a double 
'Call in which there mingled the voices of two races — his 
own and that of the sovereign nation — ^the Indian's and the 
pale-face's. Both were troubled, each misunderstood the 
other. Each had paid the penalty of that misunderstand- 
ing, in bloodshed ; but of the two, the red man had suffered 
most, lost most, sacrificed most. The call which Parker 
lieard was the call to a most difiSicult service. 

During the last days of his term President Taft said to 
me, as I talked over the resignation of Commissioner Valen- 
tine, with him: ''The office of Commissioner of Indian 
Affairs is the most difficult appointive office in the country 
to fill," and then he sighed. This has always been so since 
there were such entities as Indian Commissioners. It was 
this difficult office that Oeneral Parker was called upon to 
fill. He took the office, filled with high hopes and visions 
of a better day for the men and women and children who 
were crying for an understanding friend, for a helping, 
healing hand to lift them from the sod where they had been 
trampled upon and wounded with the hoofs of many horses. 
There th«y lay almost plowed under the sod, as the plow- 
share of civilization cut its way into the West ; there they 
lay prostrate beneath the ax-hewn trees of their own loved 
forests; there they lay cemented to earth by the clots of 
their own wounds. Who was there to help them? It was 
the idea that it might be he, that led General Parker to 
itccept this difficult task. 

We have seen what difficulties he met. We have seen 
that there were men who did not wish the man '^but one 
remove from a barbarian himself" to serve in this posi- 
tion. We have discussed the charges brought against him 
and seen that he was dear of gmlt. 

But was it actually true that General Parker was honest, 
or did the investigation of his affairs merely fail to convict 



LA8T GBAND SACHEM OF TEE IB0QU0I8 159 

liim of criminal action because of technicalities? We have 
only to seek the answer in his later life. Was he honest? 
Did not his barbarian blood, his '' undeveloped" nature, 
make him inclined to cheat when he had the chance and to 
'Cvade responsibilily where it was too heavy? Did it not 
make him say, ''Oh, well, I'm only an Indian — ^men must 
not exact as much of me as of Anglo^axons" ? How these 
•questions irritate the friends who know the real qualities 
of Parker's character! They irritate because they are not 
honest questions, but implied crimination and imputation 
of inferiority. 

General Parker was honest, more honest than his 
accusers; in ability he was the peer of any of his associates 
and far superior to his enemies, as to real manhood. He 
never "crawled," never begged, never stooped to that 
which was mean. He took what came with the demeanor of 
A true gentleman and a philosopher. 

It is not strange, therefore, that when Gommissioner 
Parker found himself clear and his reputation unscarred 
'by his trial he should have prepared to resign his office. He 
would not stay where he was not wanted or where he had 
made himself, even though unintentionally, a rock of 
offence. Six months after his vindication by the Congres- 
sional committee he handed in his resignation. He gave 
his critics ample time to find new flaws, to lay out a new 
line of prosecution ; and they failing, he felt that he could 
honorably hand over the work to others. This he did in 
August, 1871. To what was he now to turn? 

General Parker went to New York, where he found that 
keen competition left him but few opportunities in his pro- 
fession as an engineer. He found occasionally a project 
worthy of his efforts, but found it easier to build a fortune 
in Wall Street. Out of the proceeds of his investments he 
built a country home in Fairfield, Connecticut. 



160 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

General Parker moved in the best social circles wherever 
he went; his friends must be men of brain and standing. 
He chose them as he had chosen his books. He never lost 
his host of friends, but he did lose his f ortune, and how he 
did this will answer the question, ''Was he honest?" He 
was a bondsman for a bank cashier. The cashier defaulted 
and General Parker was called upon to make the bond good. 
It was a rude shock to have a trusted friend turn out a 
thief, almost as bad as making up for his embezzlements. 

Qeneral Parker's attorneys hastened to him with advice. 
**You won't have to pay," they said; *'You are an Indian, 
and the law does not hold you to it. You can not be com- 
pelled by law to live up to that bond. It is not worth the 
paper it is written on." Here was a loop-hole that would 
save the accumulation of a lifetime. The elements of 
escape were few and simple; ''Indian, do not have to pay, 
law can not compel — contract void." 

But Greneral Parker gave a single answer, "I fully intend 
to make that bond good," he said. "I executed it in good 
faith. I am a man and if the law does not compel me to 
pay, my honor does." And he paid, though his fortune 
was wrecked. Years after the defaulter became wealthy 
and respected, but he never repaid a penny. 

Again an effort was made to repair the loss of funds, and 
another small fortune was accumulated, only to be swept 
away in the crash of the Freedman's bank. More money 
flowed out in the failure of an insurance company and still 
more in a publishing venture. This left a man past middle 
life in a position where'he must struggle again for new foot- 
ing and new resources. What do most men do amid such 
discouragements? What did he do? He went to work. And 
herein lay the secret of his life's success. It is well 
embraced in the family maxim — it is Iroquois in its origin : 
"Spend no time in mourning the failures of the past. 



LAST GMAND 8ACESM OF THB IB0QU0I8 161 

Tears make a bitter throat. Look ahead, there is more 
work to do. Unstop your ears and listen. Hear the calL'^ 
More than a quarter of a century he had heeded this advice 
of the stone-age sages of his nation, when he had swung 
from his study of law to the study of engineering. When 
he had most to discourage him he listened and heard 
another call. He most thoroughly believed there was some 
place in the world for him and a place where he could do, 
upbuild and be useful as another man could not. He was. 
not a fatalist who idly sat and took the shower or the sun- 
shine as it came. He stood upright and active and used 
the shower or the sunshine as suited him best. It was an 
opportunity for service. He would use the shower to make 
good things grow and the sunshine to make them blossom. 



162 LAST GBAND 8ACEEU OF TBE ISOQUOIS 



CHAPTER XV 

A SACHEM'S LETTERS TO A POETESS 

General Parker was essentially a home-loving man. His 
family and his home were first in his thoughts. His devo- 
tion to his wife, who was much of an invalid, revealed his 
great tenderness and the true depth of his affection. These 
qualities manifested toward others made him a true friend, 
if he was a friend. He had many friends, from coast to 
coast. He could hold his friends because he knew the full 
meaning of the word. 

One of these friends was Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse, 
the daughter of Hon. Thomas Maxwell, of Elmira. Mrs. 
Converse was a poetess, a magazine writer and the wife of 
Frank M. Converse, the musician, known as ''the father 
of the banjo." Through her father her interest in the 
Iroquois was an hereditary one. It became an active first- 
hand interest when in the course of the social life of the 
metropolis she met General Parker. The knowledge he 
gave her brought with it the inspiration for a deeper study 
of Indian life, and resulted in many years of devotion on 
her part to the Indians of New York State. In a certain 
measure the archaeological museum of New York at Albany, 
owes its new beginning to her influence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Converse and (General and Mrs. Parker 
became true friends. The mind of the poetess was 
especially attracted to that of the sachem, and he found 
in her a pleasant sympathetic companion. Indeed, General 
Parker never really knew or thought much about his real 
self until he met Harriet Maxwell Converse. This was 
probably about 1881, when she first began to take an active 
interest in Indians. Their acquaintance ripened into a 
deep friendship that continued without abatement until the 




ELY S. PARKER AS BRIGADIER-GENERAL 

Appointed assistSiDt adjutant-^neral with rank of captain, June, 
1863. CommiBsioned first lieutenant, U. 8. Cavalry, ISS6, resigning in 
1869. Brevetted brigadler-general of volunteers, April 0, 1865; and cap~ 
tain, major, lieutenant-colonel, colonel, and brigadier-general, U.S. Army, 
March 2, 1867. 






, • •• • • 



• •• 



• .- •• • 

•• • • *• 



• • • • , 
. • •• • •• • • 

• • •.;• •• • 

•• •• 



LAST GRAND 8ACHSM OF THE IROQUOIS 163 

General died. In a letter to her he once wrote that had it 
not been for her sympathetic interest in him and his people 
iie should almost have foi^otten his ancestry. True, he 
had ever been plied with questions regarding his race, and 
called upon to give his opinion in Indian matters, but this 
was simply because he was an authority on such matters as 
any man might have been ; it did not serve to draw him to 
himself. The matter-of-fact world of civilization has a 
tendency to drive from the mind the memories, the theories 
and longings of long ago, and it was in the matter-of-fact 
world that Oeneral Parker lived, toiling day by day for a 
livelihood. Constant business pressure left but little time 
for reflection and introspection. The mind of the Indian 
had been turned into the channels of the white man and the 
Indian thought of himself not as much, but simply as a 
man among a million fellow-toilers, struggling for bread 
juid dollars. It was then that the poetic mind of Mrs. Con- 
verse drew back to its old channels the mind of Oeneral 
Parker. He felt himself an Indian again, he remembered 
his boyhood, he endured again the dream fast, he plunged 
into the deep forests and brought back pelts of wildcats 
and bears, he heard the tall pines sighing in the forest and 
aaw beneath them the long-house where his red brothers 
were wont to meet and sing to the Great Spirit and dance 
before him; he thought of the fireside tales of the old story- 
tellers, of the medicine men of the secret societies that met 
in isolated lodges in the forest's depths — ^the Society of the 
Bear, the Society of the Birds and the Society of the Otter. 
All these things flashed as in a vision before him and he 
was in the midst of all. He was an Indian again. A 
sympathetic friend had brought it all back and he was ever 
fateful. Then were the poetess and the Indian friends in 
truth, confessing and conflding to each other the innermost 
secrets of their souls. 



1(4 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

When Mrs. Converse died, among her papers was found 
a number of letters— only a few of many, that General 
Parker had written her. These letters reveal the writer, 
not as the engineer, the architect, the diplomat, the military 
commandant, but as the Indian, the friend and the man. 
As I have said, a man may best be known by what he con- 
fides to his friends, and it is hoped that something of the 
true General Parker may be learned from a perusal of 
what he said, criticized, lamented, praised and confessed in 
these letters. 

The General addresses Mrs. Converse as '^Gayaneshaoh," 
this being her Seneca Indian name, or as the ''Snipe," her 
clan insignia, while he signs himself ''Donehowaga," his 
sachemship title. 

The letters, it is hoped, will tell their own story. They 
were written in confidence to a friend and not intended for 
the eyes of anyone else. Hence, they may be considered 
as revealing the true inner man better than any other 
means. Were General Parker and Mrs. Converse alive 
today both would protest against these letters being pub- 
lished, but no apology is offered in presenting them. Both 
were prominent and influential in their generation, and 
to the host that knew them these letters will serve as an 
interesting sidelight, to others they will record the thoughts 
of an Iroquois sachem. 

[WithMiit date] 

Dbab GAYANBSHAOH:-*On reading ^our last note I was greatly 
amiued — and whjf Because what I have written heretofore has been 
taken verbatim et literatim and a characfter given me to which I am 
no more entitled than the man in the moon : I am credited or charged 
with being "great," "powerful," and finally crowned as "good." 
Oh. my guardian genius, why should I be so burdened with what I 
am not now and never expect to be: Oh, indeed, would that I could 
feel a "kindling touch from that pure flame." That a fair and 
ministering angel would endow me with the exuberance of preju- 
diced enthusiasm. . . . 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 165 

And why all this commotion of the spirit t Because I am an 
ideal or a myth and not my real self. I have lost my identity and 
I look about me in vain for my original being. I never was * * great, ' ' 
and never expect to be. I never was '* powerful/' and would not 
know how to exercise power were it placed in my hands for use. And 
that I am "good" or ever dreamed of attaining that blissful condi- 
tion of being, is simply absurd. 

All my life I have occupied a false position. As a youth my 
people voted me a genius and loudly proclaimed that Hawenneyo had 
destined me to be their saviour and they gave public thanksgiving for 
the great blessing they believed had been given them, for unfor* 
tunately just at this period they were engaged in an almost endless 
and nearly hopeless litigated contest for their New York homes and 
consequently for their very existence. 

For many years I was a constant visitor at the State and Federal 
capitals either seeking legislative relief or in attendance at State 
and Federal Courts. Being only a mere lad, the pale-faced officials, 
with whom I came in contact, flattered me and declared that one so 
young must be extraordinarily endowed to be charged with the conduct 
of such weighty affairs. I pleased my people in eventually bringing 
•their troubles to a successful and satisfactory termination. I pre- 
pared and had approved by the proper authorities a code of laws and 
rules for the conduct of affairs among themselves and settled them 
for all time or for so long as Hawenneyo should let them live. 

They saw all this and thought it was good. They no longer wanted 
me nor gave me credit for what had been done. A generation had 
passed and another grown up since I began to work for them. The 
'young men were confident of their own strength and abilities and 
heeded not the brawny arm of experience to fight their battles for 
them, nor the wisdom brought about by years of training to guide 
them any longer. The War of the Bebellion had broken out among 
the pale-faces, a terrible contest between the slaveholding and non- 
slaveholding sections of the United States. I had, through the Hon. 
Wm. H. Seward, personally tendered my services for the non-slave- 
holding interest. Mr. Seward in short said to me that the struggle 
in which I wished to assist, was an affair between white men and one 
in which the Indian was not called on to act. "The fight must be 
made and settled by the white men alone," he said. "Go home, 
cultivate your farm, and we will settle our own troubles without any 
Indian aid." 

I did go home and planted crops and myself on the farm, some- 
times not leaving it for four and six weeks at a time. But the quarrel 



166 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QV0I8 

of the whites was not so easily or quicU^ settled. It was not a 
wrangle of boys, but a straggle of giants and the country was being" 
racked to its very foundations. 

Then came to me in my forest home a paper bearing the great 
red seal of the War Department at Washington. It was an officer '9 
commission in the Army of the United States. The young Indian 
community had settled in their untutored minds that because I had 
settled quietly, willingly and unconcernedly into the earning of my 
living by the sweat of my brow, I was not, therefore, a genius or a 
man of mind. Thait they were in truth correct, they did not know, 
jealousy and envy having prompted the idea and utterance. But now 
this paper coming from the great Government at Washington offering- 
to confer honors for which I had not served an apprenticeship, nor 
even asked for, revived among the poor Indians the idea that I was 
after all a genius and great and powerful. . . . They pleaded 
with me not to leave them but to remain as their counsellor, adviser 
and chief; they said that they would be powerless and lost without my 
presence. They tacitly acknowledged my genius, greatness and power, 
which I did not. When I explained that I was going into the war 
with a splendid prospect of sacrificing my life, as much for their 
good as for the maintenance of the principles of the Constitution an^ 
Laws of the United States, and upholding of the Union Flag in its 
purity, honor and supremacy over this whole country, they silently 
and wisely bowed their heads and wept in assent as to the inevitable 
I bade them farewell, commended them to the care and protection of 
^awenneyo and left them, never expecting to return. 

I went from the East to the West and from the West to the 
East again. They beard of me in great battles and they knew of 
my association with the great commander of all the Union armies 
tod how I upheld the right arm of his strength, and they said, ' ' How 
great and powerful is our chief ! ' ' 

The quarrel between the white men ended. The great com- 
mander with his military family settled in Washington, where the 
great council-fire of his nation was annually lighted and blazed in 
all its glory and fury. As an humble member of this military family 
I was the envy of many a pale-faced subordinate embryo-general wha 
said in whisper, ' ' Parker must be a genius, he is so great and power- 
ful. ' ' 

In a few years my military chieftain was made head and front 
of the whole American people, and in his partiality he placed me at 
the head of the management of the Indian Affairs of the United 
States. I was myself an Indian and presumably understood them^ 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 167 

their wantf and the manipulation of their affairs generally. Then 
again went ont among the whites and Indians the words, "Parker 
must be a genius, he is so great and powerful." 

The Indians were universally pleased, and they were all willing 
to be quiet and remain at peace, and were even asking to be taught 
eivilization and Christianity. I put an end to all wars either among 
themselyee or with their white brothers, and I sent professed Christian 
whites who waxed Heh and fat from the plundering of the poor 
Indians, nor were there teaeherships enough to give places to all the 
Irangry and impecunious Christians. Then was the cry raised by all 
who believed themselves injured or unprovided for, ''Nay, this 
Parker is an Indian genius; he is grown too great and powerful; 
he doth injure our business and take the bread from the mouths of 
'our families and the money from out of our pockets; now, there- 
fore^ let us write and put him out of power, so that we may feast as 
heretofore.'' 

They made their onslaught on my poor innocent head and made 
the air foul with their malicious and poisonous accusations. They 
were defeated, but it was no longer a pleasure to discharge patriotic 
duties in the face of foul slander and abuse. I gave up a thankless 
position to enjoy my declining days in peace and quiet. But my days 
^e not all peace and quiet. I am pursued by a still small voice 
constantly echoing, "Thou art a genius, great and powerful," and 
even my little cousin, the restless Snipe, has with her strong, piping 
voice echoed the refrain, "Thou art great, powerful and good." 

Your cousin, 

DONBHOGAWA, The Wolf. 

New Yoek, 12, 24, 85. 

Dbak Gayanxsbaoh: — I know well that the Snipe is a restless, 
uneasy, harmless little bird, hence I was not surprised to find that my 
Uncle's gray uniformed, lightfooted messenger had today left another 
note on my table from you. Yet notwithstanding the known character 
for rapacity and cruelty of the Wolf in mythological lore in all coun- 
tries and among all peoples, it is yet a noble animal. It was the 
father and mother of the founders of ancient Bome, and it deceived 
poor little Bed Biding Hood. I am not certain whether the fidgety 
Snipe figures in either ancient or modern history. I hope it docs 
since you desire it. I promise that the restless flighty, prodigal, but 
good little Snipe, shall receive nothing but kindness and protection 



168 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

from the wild, ferocious, untamable Wolf of North America, for it 
18 very probable that the two are cousins. There must be no ''Kil- 
kenny" business in our relationship, nor any such foolish affairs as 
is reported to have occurred between the parrot and the monkey. . . 



New York, 1, 8th, 86. 

Mt Dear Cousin Gatanbshaoh: — Tou have asked me a hard 
and perhaps an unanswerable question, viz.; when does **the New 
Tear begin with the Indians?" To tell the truth, I do not belieye that 
any such thing as New Year's is or was ever known or recognized 
among the Indians. They calculated time by moons, seasons, flower, 
berry, planting and harvest times and by all other annual occurring 
events, also from one annual or quarterly feast to another. Literally 
speaking, they termed their years, cycles, being reckoned from one 
event to the same recurring event, i. e., a return to the same point, 
and this is commonly styled one snow or winter. 

If your question refers to the annual Iroquois festival when 
purifications take place, shortcomings confessed, old fires put out, 
and new fires started, during which time also the immaculate white 
dog is sacrificed and which is now generally called by writers the 
"New Year's Festival,'' then I can answer, that it usually takes 
place in midwinter, which by them is fixed and corresponds to the 
second moon in the Christian year. The Festival might, and perhaps 
often does, occur in the latter part of January and sometimes in 
early February. No particular day is established, the moon is the 
only guide, together with the whims and convenience of the * * Keepers 
of the Faith." 

Hoping that my explanation may be satisfactory, 

I remain your Cousin, The Wolf, 

donehooawa. 

New York, 1, 12, 86. 

My Dear Cousin: — ^Many thanks for permitting me read Mrs. 
Wright's interesting letter. It is very singular that those who know 
the Indians the best, either by being one of them or by having inti- 
mate relations with them, should almost always entertain similar views. 
Mrs. Wright says it is greater to Christianize than to civilize a 
nation, "Especially when they are surrounded by the vices of civili- 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQVOIS 169 

zation, and I had almost said of Christianity and perhaps I might 
as well, for is not nominal Christianity flooded with vices f 

When I read this I was reminded of a sentence I had written 
to a lady in Lawrence, Mass., a short time ago who had plied me 
with nearly a score of questions on Indian matters. In answer to 
one question, I remarked that ''the vices peculiar to Christian civili- 
zation are enveloping the remnants of this interesting people and 
strangling the life out of them with an Archimedean force. * ' To this 
sentence she very sweetly replied, "Call it rather a Christleas civili- 
£ation. The blessed Christ had not 'where to lay His head.' And 
surely most dear to His heart are those to whom He gives the privi- 
lege of so enttering into His earthly state through sympathy with 
like suffering; His many mansions will infinitely repay them all the 
moneys and losses here." 

This lady is doubtless a good Christian, philanthropic in a useless 
way and evidently impracticable. Mrs. Wright is also a good, philan- 
thropic Christian, thoroughly practical, and she knows of what she 
writes. I prefer her sentimen'ts, and honor her for making a plain 
statement of the truth. A few more equally conscientious mission- 
aries among the Indians would be of more benefit than all things 
«lse. 

This matter is interjected here simply to show you what variety 
of view may or can be entertained by good people who are working 
for the same result. One of these ladies is a member of the "Indian 
Aid Association," the other is a practical, personal "aider** and 
has given her life, thus far, to the thankless task of civilizing and 
Christianizing the Indians, a result that after many years of labor, 
now seems to her an almost hopeless possibility, for she thinks the 
tendency of the race is "downward," 

Bespecting your own note, I can only say that I am happy, if 
I can by writing or by my presence bring the least bit of sunshine 
into your soul. I bury the fact that 

"The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year. 

Of wailing winds and naked woods, and meadows brown and 
sere," 

and only remember and revel in the thought that "A friend should 
bear his friends' infirmities," that " 'Tis only noble to be good," 
and that "Kind hearts are more than coronets." 

Semper Idem, 

The Wolf, 

To Gatanbshaoh, Donbhooawa. 

The Snipe. 



170 LAST GBAND 8ACHBM OF THB IS0QU0I8 

Nbw Yobk, 3, 12, 86. 

Mt Dub Cousin Gatankbbaob:— I should have answered your 
note of yesterday the moment it was reeeived but I was nnusoally 
busy and was in my oiBoe only for a very few minutes daring the- 
whole day. Ton wonder at my long silence and absence. 'Tis easily 
explained. Ton know that for some time paat my wife has not been 
well. I made it a point to be with her just as much as I eoald» 
I was compelled to forego all social obligations and pleasures and 
went nowhere except where imperative necessity demanded. Thus 
an my friends were neglected and many found fault with me. Duty 
with me however was paramount. My wife did not improve and last 
Tuesday she took to her bed. The doctor ha^ attended her closely 
sinoei and promises now to have her about again in a few days. My 
whole time therefore haa been divided between the discharge of my 
official duties and my home. By this you will understand why I 
have not sought admission at your door. It waa my intention to 
have gone to your house last Tuesday evening to lay before your 
consideration a letter from Mr. Tripp and my answer thereto. But 
the sickness at home broke up my well-laid plans and you were 
saved from a bore. Mr. Tripp's letter related to the same matter 
which haa made your heart ndk, vie,, the Sessions scheme. It was a 
pathetic appeal to me to do or write something, or go to Washington 
and help to break up this infamous plan to sink f orevermore the 
Seneca's individuality as well as his nationality. It was almost like* 
the Macedonian call to Paul to ''come over" and "help us." My 
sympathies, feelings and every fibre of my soul are for my people.. 
Tet I do not think Mr. Tripp will like my letter. It was too prac- 
tical. The fact is that the Indian question, in Congress and with 
the American people generally, is no longer one of humanization, but 
is now purely political and all interested persons must treat and 
look at it as such. 

Messrs. Jemison and John Seneca, delegates to Washington,, 
called at my house on last Monday^ but as I was still at my office I 
missed them. I was sorry for I wanted to find out the prospects. 

As requested I return you my brother 's letter. He writes a good 
letter. I wish I could do as well. Do not look for me at any stated 
time. I will appear when least expected. 

As ever truly yours, 

DONXHOGAWA, 

The Wolf. 



LAST GSAND 8ACHSM OF THB^ JBOQUOIS l7t 

To MT OOfUSat, GATANB8BA0R, 

Thz Littlb Snipi. 

Your note of today Beomi to have been written in a spirit of 
vexation. And whjf Beeanee eallers interfered with or interrupted 
the pleasant ehat we were having. Thaft waa all right and proper, 
for society has its demands upon its votaries whieh cannot be avoided 
or evaded without offense. I am glad I did not know that it waa 
yonr day, though had I known I would have called all the same, as it 
was the first loose time whieh had fallen to me since my return from 
the great West. Some time in the near future we may have another 
talk about our great country, Ac. Tomorrow p. m. I go to Phila- 
delphia to spend Sunday with a sick friend. 

As ever truly yours, 

DOKBHOeAWA, 

The Wolf, 
N. T., 8, 27, 86. 

New York, Dec. 7th, 86. 

Deab Gataneshaoh: — ^I shall never attempt to criticise the 
work of your pen or pencil because I have not the magic spell over 
either which you possess. Besides I am fearful of exciting the ire- 
of yonr watchful and powerful muse if I fail to grasp every ide» 
and word she inspires. I am very glad though to know that the 
drooping spirit of the restful Snipe has been revived and that the- 
smouldering embers of her lodge-fire have been revivified into a cheer- 
ful blaze by the fitful glimpse of a prowling Wolf ' ' down the distant 
valley." The "foot-tracks of a wandering wolf on the fallen snow- 
imprinted, " I must ignore, for it is too near akin to "tracks on the- 
sand," the one so suddenly disappearing at the dictation of the most 
gentle zephyr, and the other yielding so readily to the slightest 
basilisk or glance of the sun-god. A distant view of the reality even 
if the view be but fitful and uncertain is, to my "untutored mind,"' 
more satisfactory. Little Snipe. Keep your watch and wait for tho 
reality of the substance whose shadows the eye of your imagination 
hath seen in the "far and distant valley," for remember that where* 
a shadow is seen there is some substance to make it. 

I beg you not to tell me that because the beautiful snow hae 
fallen and covered the lovely bosom of Mother Earth, and because 
the North Winds howl and scream into every crack and ererice of 
man's shelter, I should be revelling in legendary and forestry lore 



172 LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

^0, dreamland, fairj-laad and story-land are all good and charming 
for thoee who have time and talent that waj. For me there is but 
one world to deal with at present, vix., the world of stem reality, 
land all other fancies are pushed aside for life's actual strifes. Do 
you know or can you believe that sometimes the idea obtrudes itself 
into my obtuse and lethargic brain, whether it has been well that I 
have sought civilization with its bothersome concomitants and 
whether it would not be better even now (being convinced by my 
weakness and failure to continue in the gladiatorial contest of 
modern life) to return to the darkness and most sacred wilds (if 
any such can be found) of our country and there to vegetate and 
expire silently, happily and forgotten as do the birds of the air and 
the beasts of the field. The thought is a happy one. but perhaps 
impracticable. I mention it only as a stray ignis fatutu of a 
l>ewildered and erratic brain. 

Once more I bid the Snipe au revoir until circumstances decree 
favorably to my inclinations of visiting your tepee. 

Sincerely and truly, 

DONKHOOAWA, 

The Snipe. The Wolf. 



New York, Jany. 7th, 87. 

Dear Oousin: — I have yours of yesterday which gave me some 
pleasant reading. I am pleased to know that the ''New Tear*' just 
past was so satisfactory to you. I hope also the approaching New 
Year and the annual recurring ''milestone" in your life may bring 
nothing with it but the most pleasant reflections, reminiscences and 
'beneficent and healthful resolves to live the life to which an all-wise 
Creator has predestined you. I sometimes envy people who are gifted 
with birthdays and who can proudly point to some day of the year 
that passes over them as the day of all days most consequential to 
them. For remember, I am nearly akin to Topsy who never had a 
l)irthday, never was bom, and only growed up; my birthday which 
•occurred sometime "in the course of human events" was never 
recorded in any book of man, hence I take the liberty of being 
neither elated nor depressed on any special day of the year and I 
Inow not whether I am old or young. I love all the days of the 
year alike, and can claim any one or all of them as my birthdays. 
Can any one be more blessed, and also more unfortunate? I am 
afraid if I knew the day I should always be dreading its return or 
live in fear of its never returning. But as it is I am in the most 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 175 

gifted state of "innocaouB desuetude" and consequently always 
happy. Pardon this wild digression but the thought flitted through 
my erratic brain, I caught it on the wing and impose it on you. Your 
literary shoulders are broad and can bear it. I can never tell 
whether to congratulate one ^or the return of a birthday. Life may 
have been a misery and burden to them so far, and to congratulate 
such and wish them many returns of the happy day would only be the 
most bitter mockery and sarcasm. Again with others, the pathway of 
life may have been strewn with roses and lighted with the brightest 
sunshine; congratulations to such would be an empty superfluity. la 
your case, however, while I know nothing of your past and much less 
pf your future, I can sincerely congratulate you in safely nearing^ 
another important epoch and ^'finger-post" in your journey of life,, 
and I can truly wish that your future roadway may be made easy 
and charming by every blessing which a kind and good Hawenneyo 
can bestow upon you. 

Do you know that your use of the word ''milestones" struck 
an uncanny chamber in my cerebrum f It brought vividly to my 
mind's eye those old-fashioned milestones once so numerous and 
important in country districts and which always reminded me of 
those marble slabs placed at the head of a grave in rural cemeteries, 
or '' grave-yards," as they were called. To some they marked the 
buried loves and hopes of families and sometimes of peoples; to 
others whose fancies run free and unbridled, they mark the entrance 
gate to a life of which we know nothing, but which is said to be 
fraught with happiness or misery according as one has planted on 
earth. I wonder if the "milestones of life" has any philosophic 
semblance to the funeral or "grave" stones. I pause not for a 
reply, but for sober reflection and thought. 

Your note respecting Mr. Clark's visit is also received. It will 
make Jemison's heart glad to know what Mr. Clark says. I am also 
delighted, and thank you very much for the aid which you have given 
me in this matter. 

My contemplated call on you is still an uncertain event of the 
future. I was coming last evening, your "night at home," but a 
flood of company pouring in and staying prevented the execution of 
my plans. It is I who should apologize for writing, as you sayr 
"so often." Your letters are solid business, my replies are "airy 
nothings." Then, whose is the apology f A "word to the wise 



f9 



Your cousin, 



DONXHOGAWA, 

The Wolf, 



174 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

Nxw Yobs, Jany. 11th, 1887. 

Deab Qataneshaoh: — Am requested I return jou herewith friend 
Hutehiiison 'b jgood letter. I also thank you for the pleasure you give 
me in sending me that excellent, well digested, thoughful letter of 
your own. I must though, right here, disclaim all knowledge of my 
^ear mother's dream, or vision, at a certain period of my pre-exist- 
<ence, or advent, into this world of trouble. The ''rainbow'' business 
was rather an indiscreet interjection at so early a period of my 
affairs, and its influences and effects cannot with any degree of posi- 
tiveness be explained or interpreted at this distance of time. It is 
possible that I may then have been impressed with that variegated 
and kaleidoscopio character of mind and fortune which thus far in 
my life has been my lot. That the mysterious hieroglyphics on the 
beautiful face of the bow of the covenant was an assurance to her 
that the son to be bom of her would ''be learned and great" is 
t>^ond my ken. The vision was beautiful and heavenly divine, but 
the "romance" you put into my life and attainments, in conse- 
•quence, is too incongruous and unhallowed. Pardon me for using 
this last word, but it seemed to be so aipropoM to my abhorrence of 
being suspected as a "child of fate" that I ooold not help using it 
as it strikes hard at the root of the matter. Tou know that I mean 
no reflection on you or on your convictions and beliefs, for I only 
wish to express in the most emphatic manner my disbelief in the doc- 
trine of fatalism. Ho?revef we will let this drop and remain what 
we have so far been, and expect to be in this "vale of tears," 
cousins and friends. The past is gone never to return, the present 
alone is here and in it we can pluck the fruits that the gods give 
us, remembering, for our future that Ohristly injunction, to "take 
no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for 
the things of itself." Is this fatalism f I hope not. 

In your note you remark, "/ knoio you." From the bottom of 
my heart I wish you did. There are so many sides to my nature 
that I sometimes f ani^ myself like a chameleon, ever changing color 
in thought with every varying circumstance. If you do know me, 
jou have a far deeper insight into dark mysterious human nature 
than I possess over my own earthly kingdom. 

Now I win cry peooavi; 1 will cease to wrangle, I will restore my 
tomahawk to my belt, my scalping knife to its sheath and unstring 
my bow. These primitive weapons are no match for your electrical 
pen. Like Scott's coon, I say, "Don't shoot." I will come down 
and resume the manner and custom of civilized mankind and the 
rest of the world, and look only at the surface of things, which is 



LAST QBAND 8ACHSM OF THE IROQUOIS 176 

all I generally submit to the ontside world. What jou read abovd, 
are only the meteoric flashes of my nomadic, ethereal brain and are 
hannless. 

Tonr Insentient Gbusin, 

DONEHOOAWA. 

Thb Wolp. 



New ToftK, Jany. 22nd, 1887. 

DxAa Cousin: — I received and perused with interest the intro- 
ductory "Ode" to your contemplated "FestiyalSi" on which I dare 
not pass judgment y primarily because I have not the literary capa- 
city and finally because it meets my hearty and unqualified approval. 
The ancient League is legitimately entitled to great praise and honor 
among the expiring peoples of the earth. It possessed moral and 
physical courage in a remarkable degree, equal perhaps to any exam- 
ple that the most civilized people ever recorded of themselves. Nat- 
urally, their intellectual qualities were of a marked and higher order. 
In the organization of the League, they attempted the unification of 
the contemporaneous occupants of this country on a plan worthy of 
the wisest and most sagacious statesmen of any age. or country. 
In their simplicity they early discovered, adopted and exemplified 
the incontrovertible and wise political doctrine, that in union there 
is strength. 

Your exordial lines to the ''Clans" to cling closer and stronger 
•one to the other because their day is passing and night falling fast, 
are grand and sublime. Further comment is superfluous. 

I am as ever Sac 

DONEHOQAWA. 

To The Gifted Bnipb. 



New Yobx, Oct. 4th, 1887. 

Bear Cousin: — The outpourings of your terrific wrath against 
certain Christian practices, beliefs and propositions for the ameli- 
oration and improvement of certain unchristian people who live on 
reservations where the English language is not spoken, and where 
"vice and barbarism" are rampant, was duly received yesterday. 
The Bishop is right in his reference to the remnants of the Six 
N'ations being yet deplorably subject to individual disability, dis- 



176 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

advantagee and wrong arising from their tribal conditionB/' in aD 
except the last proportion. 

The diflabilitiee, dieadyantages and wrongs do not result how- 
ever either primarily, eonsequentlj or ultimately from their tribal con- 
dition and native inheritances but solely, wholly and absolutely from 
the unchristian treatment they have always received from Christian 
white people who speak the English language, who read the English 
Bible and who are pharisaically divested of all the elements of vice 
and barbarism. The tenacity with which the remnants of this people 
have adhered to their tribal organizations and religious traditions 
is all that has saved them thus far from inevitable extinguishment; 
when they abandon their birthright for a mess of Christian pottage 
they will then cease to be a distinctive people. It is useless though to 
discuss this question already prejudged and predetermined by a 
granitio Christian hierarchy from whose judgments and decisions 
there seems to be no appeal. 

I hope you are well. Tomorrow evening I am booked for a 
meeting of the Loyal Legion. Hope to call ere long. 

Your Cousin, 
The 6NIPB. The Woli*. 



Nbw Yobk, Nov. 19th, 1888. 

Mt Beab Qousin: — ^Tours of the 18th received. I sympathize 
with you in the loss of your whilom friend, Mr. Perry. I can easily 
imagine that he must have been of essential and material service 
in spurring you on in the development of your natural instincts. I 
only hope that although he has gone to join the great army in the 
unknown land you may not lay aside the weapons with which you 
are armed and wrap yourself in a mantle of despair. 

I do not think I am very well either mentally or physically, but 
I attend to my work the same as if every thing was lovely and 
serene, and life were worth Uving. The reading of ''Bobert Els- 
mere, '^ the detestable agnostic, (which by the way I have not yet 
waded through) may have something to do with my imaginary o^ 
fancied depression. 8o far, I don't like the book, — ^it is probably too 
deep metaphysieaUy, psychologically and religiously for me. 

I have business in your neighborhood about 3 p. m. tomorrow, 
and I may run in and greet you. Until then, au revoir. 

As ever, 

To The L. 8. The Wolf. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 177 

Niw TOBX, May 23rd, 88. 

Dear Cousin: — ^The old saTUig that man proposes and God dis- 
poses is only too tme. I know a lady who once wrote that on a certain 
afternoon she waa always at home, but it seems that sometimes 
Providence thwarts her plans. I have always voted myself a vietim 
of oireumstanoes, and outside of business, I never make plans and 
I go and come as the ever-shifting winds, and if my impulsive schemes 
miscarry or disjoin, I do not nurse a feeling or thought of disappoint- 
ment; and do not lose hope of better luck next time; besides I call 
to mind the words. ' ' Try, try again. ' ' 

Grand Army affairs and other peremptory duties c<Mnmand every 

minute of my well time, for you must know that I am far from 

being weO, though I never speak about it to any one and I go along 

in the even tenor of my vrays, discharging my business and other 

obligations like one in a trance. Twice I have called at your house 

because I had a few spare moments. I did not find any one at home, 

but I shall not give it up so, I will come again when time admits 

of it. Your lament received. By the way, will you and Mr. C. 

accept seats on the G. A. B. reviewing stand on Memorial Dayf If 

so I will send or bring you tiekets. 

Yours, 

The Wolp. 

Thb Snips. 

N. T. 2, 15, 89. 12.M. 

Mt Dbab Cousin: — Your two notes of yesterday, with enclos- 
ures, just received, as I have only this moment made my first call 
at my office. 

Between your overpowering love and Mr. Bryant's fulsome 
adulations I am about ready to surrender the ghost. I am not aware 
that I have done anything either for you or for him to deserve 
that such commendations should be heaped like coals of fire upon 
my poor defenceless head. One remarks, ''I never loved you so 
much as yesterday," and the other says 'Hhe General is the most 
consmnmate flower of all the Iroquois." Surely nothing can be 
sweeter and more exquisite than to have the love and flower of two 
dear friends thus combined and so tenderly expressed and conse- 
crated. I thank you both with all my heart, but all the same, I am 
like Simeon of old^ now ready to depart in peace. 

I sincerely hope that when friend Bryant reads the typewritten 
copy of jny "inspiration," as he is pleased to call it, he may like 
it more and give it his Samsonian support. I ask no more, and if, 
after all, it fails we shall fall together. 

Sincerely, 
The Wolp. 



178 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

T 

Police Department op The City op New York. 

No. 300 MULBKBBY STEEET. 

New York, Uarch 24th, 1890. 

Dear Cousin: — Thanks for yours of the 20th from Buffalo. 
The B. J. business looks encouraging, all owing to your perseverance 
and courage. You have had awful weather for your work, yet I 
hope your labors will be crowned with success, and that you have 
kept well through it all. 

Last week I was miserable and stayed at home nearly the whole 
week. It is all in the foot. The sore spot is constantly enlarging 
and of course it is very painful. I am continuing the diet of beef 
and hot water. I see the Doctor often. He is very kind and good. 
I cannot conjecture what the issue of my trouble will be. Hoping 
for your success, good health and safe return in the Great Spirit's 
good time. 

I am as ever, 

The L. S. The Wolp. 

New Yosk, June 23rd. '91. 

Mt Dear Mas. O. — I was extremely delighted to get your brief 
note and learn how bountifully honors have been showered apo& 
you by the remnants of the Iroquois, both in New York and Canada. 
You deserve these honors, empty and shadovry though they be, and 
a great deal more for the service you and yours have rendered them. ' 

I got your card from Brantford and Mr. Converse transmitted 
to me from Syracuse a telegram of the proceedings there. Accept 
please my hearty congratulations on your triumphal tour among these 
flimple but honest-hearted children of our ancient forests. That the 
Oreat Spirit may bless you and them always is my constant prayer. 

We high-minded New Yorkers are sweltering in a temperature 
tinctured vdth suggestions of the infernal regions and consequently 
cooling drinks are in constant and unceasing demand. Mrs. F. 
upd I have spent three days at Manhattan Beach and found it 
charming. Mrs. P. is n)&w talking of maJdng a visit to Chicago. 
Have called twice at your house and each time Mr. C. was absent. ' 
I am expecting to visit Philadelphia this week, but not for sure. 
I am making the same slothful advance towards recovery of good 
health that I have so long struggled with. If I live long enough, 
I may possibly get well! 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IS0QU0I3 179 

You are having such a nice time^ I would not hj any means 
burry back to New York but let the Snipe rest its little wings and 
fish and flutter and twitter its notes on the streams of Central New 
York. It will be most welcome back to New York, when it can go 
nowhere else. 

Semper Idem, 

WOLI'. 

L. S. 

New York, July 6th, '93. 

Mt Beloted Snipe: — Yours of the 2nd was duly received and 
I thank you very much that you remember me and speak to me 
from your quiet and lovely retreat. I am very, very sorry to say 
though that judging from your brief note that you are much worse, 
in mind at least, if not in body, than when I saw you last. Every 
line of your note is as blue as indigo, and you picture humanity, 
418 if they were all demons or devils, conspiring on burdening you 
with every misery mortal flesh is heir to, even to the unsettling of 
the mind, and forever darkening and damning even the soul. 

Now why is this? You say yourself that you are in a most 
lovely country with beautiful views all around you; the silent, but 
peaceful, murmuring of the babbling brooklet near by inducing quiet 
repose, the heavenly music of the feathered songsteni constantly in 
jour ear, the almost intelligible prattle and scolding of the pretty 
tiny red squirrel to amuse you, the endless grinding of the cricket 
<on the hearth encouraging reflection, and the unceasing hum of 
thousands of insects, seen and unseen, in the grass and shrubbery 
About you, — all this, I say, would seem unmistakable aids to drive 
duU cares away, and to bring rest, peace and happiness to the weary 
body and soul, and yet they evidently only increase your misery, 
depress your spirit, make you gloomy and morbid .and your soul 
heavy. This is all wrong and should not be. They say that when 
jrou are in Bome you must do as the Bomans do, therefore if every 
thing about you, animate and inanimate, is peaceful, restful and 
^eaks of happiness, then you, who are so susceptible, impressible 
und imaginative should drift into the same mood and spirit of your 
environment, and thus disperse the gloom, desolation and inky dark- 
ness in which you are attempting to enshroud yourself, and which 
is by no means conducive to the recovery of good health or an even 
balance of the mind. Don't think for one moment that I am scold- 
ing you. — no, I never could do that ; but I only want to speak, plainly, 
lionestly and truthfully to yon, and end my homily. Forgive my errors. 



180 LAST GMAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

I am in my usual health and enjoy everything around me. Mrs. 
Parker has again ehanged her mind and, with Maud, has gone back 
from Western New York to Denver, to stay until she again changes 
her mind to come home to me. Our summer weather so far has 
been invigorating^ delicious. I am more than gratified to know that 
my Snipe will write me at least once a week, but don't write unless 
it is perfectly easy and in harmony with your mood. The Great 
Spirit will protect and watch over you and in his own good time, 
restore you in health and vigor to us who love you. 

From The Wolp. 



Nsw YoBK, July 10th, 94. 

My I>kax Snips : — To say that I am busy would not be nevrs, 
yet it is high time to acknowledge the receipt of your good letters, 
one from Buffalo and one from Bath rec'd to-day. I am happy to 
know that you enjoy yourself so much. You deserve it and are 
entitled to all the happiness you can extract from your well-earned 
outing. 

On the 15th ult. I started or commenced a letter, (but never 
finished it) to you expressing my disappointment at not finding you 
home when I called to say good-bye and to bless you for a goo<i 
journey and a safe return. I say also that you have already heard 
-and seen things, which you had never before 'Mreamed of in your 
philosophy." The people you have been visiting, have never yet 
been understood, not fully comprehended. I say that ''to study 
them satisfactorily needs a lifetime, and at the end of life one has 
hardly begun the study. The study of a race is like the study of 
a single character, both are extremely kaleidoscopic. ' ' Your oppor- 
tunities have been grand and rare; you have improved them well, 
and to-day you are the best posted woman on Indian lore in America. 

I do not feel as well or as strong as when you left; perhaps 
I have done too much, for business crowds me hard, or the hot 
weather may be too exhausting, but I am very tired and care not 
how soon the end comes. 

My family ar^ well. Maud is in Jersey and wife at home. When 
I can get away, we shall all go together somewhere, the where not 
yet determined. 

I have missed you greatly, and shall continue to miss you until 
your return next fall. 

Sincerely and Ever Yours, 

To The Wandering Snipe. The Wolp. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 181 

CHAPTER XVI 

THE GETTYSBURG SPEECH OF GRANT'S 
MILITARY SECRETARY 

Among the papers of General Parker, but one has been 
found having the character of an address to his military 
comrades. It is his speech at Gettysburg on September 26, 
1891. In it we catch a glimpse both of the soldier and the 
sachem. The speech follows, copied directly from the first 
draft of his own manuscript: 

General Parker's Address at Gettysburg 

''Twenty-eight years ago last July many of you were 
here under very different circumstances and for a totally 
different purpose than that which recalls you here today. 
Then you came to maintain the doctrine of the indivisibility 
of the Union of the American States, whose organic law 
was the liberty and equality of all men. You came to 
maintain the integrity of the American flag and the right 
that it alone should float over the free icy regions of the 
North to the tropical country, extending from climes of 
the South and ESast and West and from ocean to ocean. 
But you then came here more especially and directly to 
repel an invasion that was being made in this free state by 
a hostile army whose avowed object was the dissolution of 
the Union you were seeking to preserve, and which strove 
to perpetuate the institution of human slavery which your 
success would abolish and destroy forever. Here by your 
courage, skill, bravery and heroic determination, the rebel 
schemes were defeated, and today you have returned to 
oommemorate this sad but important event by the erection 
and unveiling of a monument to the honor and memory of 
your comrades whose dust mingles with the dust of this 
ground. 

**I can hardly comprehend how, or why, I am honored 
with the privilege of addressing you on this occasion, for 



182 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

I can say nothing but what has been better said before by 
somebody else, except it is that one of the prominent 
features of your monument is the figure of Tammany, the 
Delaware Indian chief, who is said never to have had his 
equal as such. During the Revolutionary War his enthu- 
siastic admirers among the whites dubbed him a saint and 
he was established under the name of St. Tammany, the 
Patron Saint of America. 

'^The Delaware Indians, of whom Tammany was chiefs 
were once a numerous and powerful tribe and were masters 
of and occupied the whole territory lying between the 
Hudson and Susquehanna rivers. They were a warlike 
race, and, like all other primitive people who existed on 
the face of the earth, were at perpetual war with their 
neighbors and were ever ready to battle for the lands they 
claimed, and for the graves of their ancestors. They and 
all the other Indians of this continent, whether living in 
the dense forests, on the vast prairie plains or in the fast- 
nesses of the mountains, enjoyed liberty in its largest and 
most liberal sense. They loved their freedom and believed 
that when the Great Spirit made this country he made it 
free and placed his red children here to enjoy it. 

'*The power of the Delawares was finally completely 
broken and the people subjugated by the more powerful 
and proud Iroquois of New York. I am not here to give 
you a lecture on the Indian problem, the solution of which 
agitates so many good minds of the present day, or to 
enumerate the causes which have led to their gradual 
extinction, or to excite your sympathy by rehearsing the 
wrongs, cruelties, injustice and many violations of faith 
they have endured and suffered at the hands of the pale- 
faces, although as one of them I naturally and emphatically 
sympathize deeply with them. The two races have ever 
been antagonistic, though all writers agree that the Indians 
always received the new comers with the most open-handed 



LAST GBAND 8ACEBM OF TEE IB0QU0I8 183 

hospitality. At first also the Indian looked upon the pale- 
face as a god from another world. Soon through the antag- 
onism of the two races, hatred revealed itself and true 
friendship and brotherly confidence ceased to exist. Then 
deadly hostilities commenced, continuing ever since, almost 
without cessation. In the Indian bosom was then planted to 
grow fiercer and fiercer with time, an implacable and un- 
conquerable aversion, amounting almost to hatred, for the 
civilization and Christianity of the new-comer. Their hos- 
tility was so persistent that it soon became apparent that 
their continued presence constituted an almost insurmount- 
able barrier to the advancement of the eastern progressive 
and aggressive civilization and the successful planting 
and dissemination of that religion which teaches ''peace 
on earth and good will toward all men," but which, alas, 
was not to extend to the Indian until the lamp of their 
national life was nearly extinguished. 

''To this doomed race did the chief Tammany belong. 
He was a brave warrior, a mighty hunter and a wise coun- 
cilor. Very little indeed was known of him. Yet it is 
written of him that ' He was in the highest degree endowed 
with wisdom, virtue, prudence, charity, affability, meek- 
ness, hospitality,* in short with every good and noble 
qualification that a human being may possess. He was 
then supposed to have had intercourse with the 'great and 
good spirit,' for he was a stranger to everything that was 
bad. 

"It is not known when or where or how he died, but pre- 
sumably in one of the wars in which his people were en- 
gaged. His memory was ever reverenced among his people, 
and his name is still perpetuated among the whites by the 
powerful society in New York which bears his name. I 
believe that if ever there was a good Indian he was one, and 
that, too. before he was a dead one. This monument, too, 
while it transmits the memory of heroes who fell here, also 



184 LAST GSAND SACHEM OF THE TEOQVOIS 

perpetuates his name^ in this beautiful monumental field, 
where was fought perhaps the most earnest battle of the 
war, and one which nearly decided the fate of the Union. 
This field and this beautiful valley were indeed the 
Thermopylte of America — defended not by the Spartan 
king and his unconquerable heroes who never turned their 
backs to the invading millions, but by American patriots, 
as brave, daring and as fully imbued with a healthful, 
lofty and patriotic martial spirit, as any warrior band that 
ever marched to a field of slaughter. Their watchwords 
were, * Union, Liberty and the Starry Ptag forever t ' They 
contended stoutly, with masterly constancy and unyield- 
ing tenacity, for the maintenance of the principles enun- 
ciated in the imperishable Declaration of Independence, 
the godlike truths of which their fathers had established 
after many years of doubt and suffering and many hard- 
fought battles. These wise fathers had electrified and 
horrified the civilized world when they announced their 
political belief, unheard of before, 'that all men are 
created equal,' and endowed by their Creator with certain 
'inaliena/ble rights,' among which are *life, liberty and 
the pursuit of happiness. ' 

''On this field upon which we this moment stand, not 
only were the lives and liberty of the immediate partici- 
pants in danger, but the lives and liberty of millions of 
human beings not here; and what was more important 
than all, the life and liberty of the Nation was imperiled 
and at stake. Here and yonder you stood like a wall of 
adamant and resisted the vast hordes who would have done 
all this wrong. At every point you met them with a firm, 
unshaken determination to do or die. Your serried ranks 
were thinned and broken by the savage minie, and the 
howling, shrieking and screeching shot and shell, whose 
infernal noise mercifully deafened the cries of the wounded 
and dying around you. The earth moaned and groaned 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 185 

as it swallowed the blood of the contestants. Tet, as if 
Mother Earth had here a plantation of the m3rthieal 
dragon's teeth, other soldiers and comrades seemed to 
spring ont of her bosom, refilling your depleted ranks and 
reforming your shattered lines, reviving your nearly 
exhausted energies and strengthening your hopes of final 
success. But so oft repeated were these scenes of bloody 
eamage on that eventful day, it appeared at times as 
though every man must march into the jaws of Death 
before the dreadful eontest could be decided. Physical 
endurance has its limits; bright hopes had almost suc- 
cumbed to black despair. Liberty was about to shriek even 
louder than when brave Eosciuszko fell, when the Supreme 
Arbiter of Nations and the Gk>d of Battles dropped his 
wand and ptve to you the field of battie. Peace forever 
be to tiiose who fell ! 

**The battle of Gettysburg has been written of by many 
as the most important and decisive of the war. Perhaps 
it was — I cannot judge ; but on the same day that you were 
executing on this field such wonderful and unparalleled 
feats of military strength, courage and dauntless heroism, 
equally as important and exciting transactions were beiii<? 
enacted in and about the Gibraltar of tSie West, on the 
Mississippi. There that invincible strategic warrior, Gen- 
eral U. S. Grant, was closing his anacondian coil on the 
City of Vicksburg, resulting the next day, the ever mem- 
orable 4th of July, in the surrender of Lieutenant General 
Pemberton with his entire army and the eity of Vicksburg. 
Then, as has been beautifully expressed, * the waters of the 
Mississippi again flowed unvexed by hostile forces from its 
source to its mouth' — the would-be confederacy severed 
and the field of future operations circumscribed. ' ' 

* * This, too, was virtually important Yet, neither Qettyii^ 
burg nor Vicksburg closed the war. The battles of Look- 
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Nashville, the 



186 LAST GEAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 

Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Five Forks, and 
Petersburg, and Sherman's March to the Sea, were yet to 
be executed ere the field of Appomattox Court House could 
loom up to witness the closing act of the gigantic conflict. 
At many of these points, you my comrades, were actively 
engaged. Upon many of these fields you have left com- 
panions who had stood shoulder to shoulder with you in 
battle, shared with you the danger and responsibilities of 
the picket-line, tented and bivouacked with you, in winter 
and summer, in storm and sunshine, and who did not 
return with you, when the war closed, to the homes they 
had left. It is to their memory and honor, to their unself- 
ish, patriotic virtue, that these monuments are properly 
erected, dedicated and consecrated. To the survivors on 
any field they are speaking reminders of struggles endured^ 
not for glory, but for their country's good; reminders of 
the principles they contended for, 'and of the necessity 
burdened upon them, of indoctrinating into the minds of 
their children as they grow up, and of their neighbors who 
come from other lands, the sacredness of the charge and 
the inestimable inheritance they have left at so great a 
cost of life and treasure. 

^'I have a foolish belief that all true and honest patriots,, 
whether they labor in the civil or military service who die 
in their career, do not cease their connection with the 
onward march of their country. Hence, as a matter of 
honor and justice to all such, I would that every American 
child could be taught thoroughly the history of his country 
from its discovery and settlement onward. They should 
be taught to comprehend and understand how first the 
pioneers and early settlers grappled in a deadly conflict 
with the aborigines of this continent to wrest from them 
their country, and to make it a land 'flowing with milk 
and honey' and the wilderness 'to blossom as the rose/ 
How again, while yet in the infancy of their growth 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE lEOQUOIS 187 

towards a national manhood^ they battled with their own 
mother country for the causes so eloquently and clearly 
0et forth in the immortal Declaration of Independence to 
which I have already referred, and for the maintenance of 
which declaration they placed their ^reliance on the pro- 
tection of Divine Providence/ mutually pledging to each 
other their lives, fortunes and sacred honor.' 

'^Passing from that time through minor though import- 
ant wars, we may gradually bring them to the last great 
struggle in which you, my comrades, were prominent 
actors, to preserve the unity of the republic, maintain the 
sanctity of the flag, save the life of the nation and to make 
a truth of the theory long since announced to the world,, 
'that all men are created equal;' for you freed four mil- 
lions of slaves who were held in bondage to their fellow- 
men and made them citizens equal with you. Fully under- 
standing and comprehending all this, it will be their plain 
duty to preserve the country and government you helped 
to save, and by their wisdom to carry forward its aims by 
every means consistent with justice and the general Consti- 
tution. ' ' 

''The present commercial industrial and agricultural 
prosperity of the whole country, the universal spvead of 
education and the consequent diffusion of general knowl- 
edge, the freedom of speech and of the press, the free and 
untrammeled discussion on all political subjects and theo- 
ries of government, the unprecedented development and 
growth in every branch of the arts and sciences, and the 
unrestrained and unrestricted exercise allowed in all civil 
and religious liberties, unknown in any other country of 
the world, are so many safe guarantees that these United 
States will never again seek to indulge itself in fratricidal 
blood. 

'*! will now close by repeating with your permission s 
few lines written of Tammany a long time ago : 



188 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THB IROQUOIS 

'* ' Immortal Tammany of ladian raee, 

Gr^at in the field and f oremoat in the ehaae, 

No pnnj saint waa he, with fasting pale. 

He climbed the mountain and he swept the Tale, 

Bashed through the torrent with unequalled might; 

Your ancient aaints would tremble at the sight; 

CSaught the swift boat and the swifter deer with ease, 

And worked a thousand miracles like these. 

To public views he added private ends, 

And loved his country most, and next his friends; 

With courage long he strove to ward the blow; 

(Oourage we all respect even in a foe) 

And when eaeh effort he in vain had tried^ 

KindM the flame in whieh he bravely died; 

To Tammany, let the full horn go round; 

His fame let every honest tongue resound; 

"With him let every generous patriot vie» 

To live in freedom or with honor die.' " 



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LMBT QMAND 8ACEMM OF TEX IM0QU013 18» 

CHAPTER XVII 

THE HOUSE OP BROTHER NICHOLSON. 

The written life story of Ely S. Parker will always 
resiain incomplete. Probably no one now living ean supply 
the missing fragments that would be so full of interest to 
us of the present day. Much of value would be lost^ how- 
ever, by omitting to mention briefly the other brothers and 
the sister, all of whom were ever dear to the General, 
despite his broader interests and his continued abaenoe 
from his home reservation. 

Isaac Newton Parker seems to have been of a roving dis- 
position. He had a polished education, and was a keen 
student of fine literature. He was generally spoken of as 
Newton or ''Newt." He served in the Union Army during 
the Rebellion and afterwards became a teacher in the West. 
His great failure was intemperance, that brought with it 
unreliability. His fault was ever a source of sorrow to his 
family and a constant element of annoyance to Ely, to 
whom generally fell the task of ' ' getting him a job. * ' His 
last labors were in Montana, where he contracted a fatal 
malat^. He fell dead from his horse as he journeyed over 
the prairie and was buried on the plains near the spot 
where he died. 

Levi always was a farmer and remained on his farm at 
the Tonawanda reservation. He was well respected and 
industrious to the day of his deatii. His children were 
Frank, Fred, Laura and Otto. All are living today at 
Tonawanda and all have large and productive farms. Otto 
is a chief, and Laura married Jacob Doctor, one of the 
head Tcmawanda sachema Laura Doctor or Ga-a-gwi-de, 
Sun Follower, is the ''name bearer" of the family at the 
present time. She is ' ' ho-ya-neh. ' ' 

Besides Ely, the children of William Parker who achieved 
most perhaps were Carrie and Nicholson. Both were grad- 
uates of Albany State Normal School and both were ambi- 



190 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

tious to maintain the ancient ideals of the family and of 
the nation. Perhaps they had better opportunity than 
Levi and Newton. Spencer, because of a tribal political 
blunder, exiled himself but was restored in after years 
through the pleas of his father. 

Carrie Parker married John Mount Pleasant, for many 
years the leading mind of the Tuscaroras. Her commod- 
ious home was on the Tuscarora reservation near Niagara 
Falls. Her fame as a hostess was hereditary. Her mother 
had bred the gentle art of gracious entertainment in her 
daughter. Carrie Mount Pleasant 's home was for years a 
place where honored guests were cared for. Tourists, men 
and women of culture and refinement, noblemen and titled 
ladies from Europe, American men in public life, generals, 
congressmen, and citizens in all the humbler walks of life, 
came to the Mount Pleasant home when they came to 
Niagara. She was long known as the ''Queen of the 
Senecas," or the ** Peacemaker." 

Her native name was at first Gahona ; her husband's name 
was Dagayahdont, "Palling Woods." At a tribal ceremony 
after her marriage, Carrie Parker Mount Pleasant was 
given a new tribal name and title. She received the ances- 
tral name, that had of right been transmitted through her 
mother's line for generations. It was none other than Ji- 
gon^a-seh, commonly spelled Ge-go*sa-seh, and meaning 
^'The Wild Cat" or ''The Lynx." It was rightfully her 
mother's name and title, though Elizabeth Parker was com- 
monly called Ga-i-ya-kuh, though her official name was 6a- 
ont-gwut-twus. We have told the story of Ji-gon-sa-seh in 
a former chapter. General Parker in writing of his sister's 
name said: ". . . It was once borne by the last ruler 
of the Neutral Nation, who was a woman. It was during 
her reign that the Hurons proposed to violate the neutrality 
of her territory in their wars with the Iroquois Con- 
federacy. She disclosed the conspiracy to the Senecas who 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 191 

punished the Neutral Nation by exterminating it. Wild 
Cat they adopted and made her the equal of their sachems 
4tnd chiefs and when she died they retained her name 
among them. I have, however, never heard of it being 
borne by any woman since her day, until it was bestowed 
upon my sister by the sachems and chiefs of the Seneca 
nation on account of her conspicuous character, connections 
.and abilities." 

Of all the lives of members of the Parker funily of the 
^andfather generation, I am most familiar with that of 
Nicholson, for he was my grandfather. From his books 
And records and from his lips I have learned most about 
^*Uncle Ely" and 'Hhe old days." 

Nicholson, or ''Nick" as grandfather was known to his 
intimate friends, passed the greater part of his life on the 
Cattaraugus reservation. He was a man of great energy, 
And worked with method and regularity. He never allowed 
Sunday work on his farm and never would permit a drop 
of liquor on his premises. He was a true ''son of the 
prophet" in this respect. His industry and sobriety, too, 
may have been due in some measure to the influence of Kev. 
And Mrs. Asher Wright, the sainted missionaries who gave 
their very lives to the Senecas. He was first employed as an 
interpreter, printer and clerk by Dr. Wright. With him 
he translated the Bible into Seneca. 

Dr. Wright wooed his wife by correspondence. She was 
a Vermont Sheldon and her appearance on the Buffalo 
Creek reservation was the first sight Dr. Wright ever had 
of his bride. Both had been convinced, however, that they 
had been called to the same great work, and both were con- 
tent in the love that came with the first meeting. With Mrs. 
Wright came her niece Martha Hoyt, of Massachusetts 
stock. Then began another romance. The Indian inter- 
preter, my grandfather, wooed and ,won the niece. During 
Dr. Wright's lifetime my grandfather and grandmother 



192 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF TEE lEOQUOIS 

lived at the Mission House at Cattaraugus, where all their 
ehildren were bom. Soon after Dr. Wright's death in 1876 
Mrs. Wright moved across the farm line and into the newly 
fouilt house, occupied by grandfather Nicholson. 

It was a wonderful home in many ways and until their 
maturity the boys and girls of the family found a happy 
home there. Three of the boys had helped build the house. 
Prank, and Fred, my father, were old enough to use a ham- 
mer, saw and square with accuracy, while Albert, though 
a small boy, was able to help considerably. Minnie, at this 
time, went away to a ''select school" in Rye, New York, 
as the protegee of her Uncle Ely. Sherman was then but 
a tiny lad. 

The farm, part of which liad been purchased of an Indian 
named Two Guns, was an ideal ** boys' farm." It had — 
and yet has — ^a fine orchard that produces the best kind 
of apples; it has good garden soil, good pasturage, and a 
brook where you can catch trout, if you are a trout fisher- 
man and patient. The farm is divided by the main or Lake 
road, and lies between two large creeks, though each is 
beyond the farm line. Cattaraugus cre^ is '' across the 
road" and ''under the hill." Everything is handy on the 
farm there. Next door is the Misnon House where good 
missionaries live; on the other side is the national fair 
ground. A stone's throw down the road is the Qovemment 
medical dispensary, while across the road is the tribal ceme- 
tery. A stage route traverses the road. Members of the 
family by this rare situation get the daily paper; can be 
married and preached to, attend the fair, get sick, call a 
doctor, die and be buried, with all the rites of the church, 
without even leaving the neighborhood, — so '^civilized" has 
the reservation become. 

Adjoining the dispensary property is the Thomas Indian 
School, which was started by my grandmother years ago. 
I like to give her credit for its foundation, for the trials 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 198 

and cares of looking after seventeen Indian orphans in her 
own Imsy borne led her annt, Mrs. Wright, to enlist the 
i^mpathy of an eminent Quaker named Philip Thomas. 
He gave one hundred dollars to start a real orphan asylum^ 
so in gratitude it was named after him, by my grandmother. 
His example induced others to give of their means. Today 
a magnificent State institution stands as a monument to my 
grandmother's compassion and confusion in caring for 
seventeen children who could not talk, nor eat, English 
style, but who could cry in all languages. 

It was to this farm house that Uncle Ely made a visit 
once or twice each year. Over the mantel in the sitting- 
room, in his honor, hung his picture in full military uni- 
form as Colonel. Over it hung his sword. The room was 
remarkable in other ways. In it hung the heirlooms of the 
family, that is, such as could be exhibited. There were 
quaint Indian trophies, beaded sashes, tomahawks, scalping- 
knives that had seen service, old flint-locks and pictures of 
famous members of the family all in Seneca regalia. There 
were large oil paintings of my grandmother's ancestors, a 
crayon portrait of Asher Wright and near it a wonderful 
engraving of "Christian, the Pilgrim." All the events of 
''Pilgrim's Progress" were illustrated in small circular 
engravings all around the picture. 

I want to describe this room because I first remember 
seeing ''Uncle Ely" there. He always sat in a big walnut 
arm-chair by the front window. My grandmother always 
kept a crash towel with roses embroidered on it over the 
back of the chair, because the gold thread in the brocade 
"got into people's clothes." It was the "best chair," and 
came from Boston. She always rubbed off the daws of the 
bottom of the chair's legs, too. I remember the claws 
clutched wooden bails, because I once dreamed the chair 
chased me and threw all those balls at me — and more too. 



194 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

I always called it ''Uncle Ely's chair." He was brave to 
ait in that chair, I thought. I never did. 

In one comer of the room near the dining-room door was 
a ''what-not" It was my grandmother's set of curio 
shelves. On the top shelf was the "winter bouquet" of 
autumn plants, leaves and grasses. Basing above all was 
a tall sheaf of wheat. At the bottom of the sheaf were 
sprays of bitter-sweet, everlasting, milkweed stalks and 
sprays of oak and maple leaves, colored by the frost. The 
lower shelves held minerals from the farm and neighboring 
creek gorges. There were fossils, concretions and freaks, 
a horse-shoe or two, knots, gnarls and vegetable monstrosi- 
ties. On one shelf were coins from many oountries, medals, 
ores and Indian mlver ornaments. On another were the 
largest ears of com, mingled with bird nests and fancy 
Indian beadwork and baskets. On the lowest shelf of all 
were Indian arrow and spearheads, stone axes, polished 
stone gorgets, fragments of broken pottery, pipes and a 
piece of skull, all picked up on the farm. 

All the boys and girls, brothers, sisters and cousins, 
would lie on the bear-skin rug and look at that wonder- 
ful "what-not." We would wonder if we would ever know 
as much as grandma, ever be as good hunters as "Oramp" 
or be as great as Uncle Ely, and wear a sword like that 
on the wall. That room was my grandmother's to nle. 
Nicholson, my grandfather, might receive his honored 
guests there, but his own room adjoined the big kitchen. * 
There he had his tall "secretary" filled with papers and 
books. He never forgot his books with all his busy farm life, 
and although for many years he was a "chief" in the 
capacity of ' ' clerk of the Nation, " or as the greater repub- 
lic would say, "Secretary of State," he waa ever a student. 
The Seneca nation, be it known, is a republic, self-governing 
and reoognized by the State of New York and by the United 
States. It had revolted from the "chiefs' government" in 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 195 

1848 and set itself up as a demoeratio state. However, the 
older system of aristocracy continued as an undercarrent, 
and grandfather was honored by having his name changed 
from Oad-e-wah-gowa to Oyantwaka, a name and title 
once borne by his celebrated half-great-grandfather. Corn- 
planter, of historical fame. 

Grandfather every evening would refresh his mind with 
some classical volume. Before I was nine years old he had 
read Milton's '^Paradise Lost" to me amd had done his best 
to make me understand it. He read to me ''King Lear," 
and ''Midsummer Night's Dream," and had even tried to 
teach me algebra. At the age of seventy he went through 
his mathematics again. There was some rivalry between 
my grandmother and my grandfather in this early attempt 
to educate me. ''Don't put such useless ideas in that 
child's head," she would say, "read him something sen- 
sible." Then she would take from her own shelves, "Com- 
mon Things We Should Know," "The Book of Why," and 
^'The Primer of the Stars." When it came to Scriptures 
grandfather would read Isaiah and Proverbs to me, while 
grandmother always recited the Psalms from memory. She 
knew most of them but years after at the age of eighty, 
started learning some she had neglected. 

The big kitchen with its cheerful fire was the general 
meeting-room for the Indian neighbors who "just dropped 
in." Beal callers of eourse got in the immaculately clean 
aitting-room. The old men who did not meet grandfather 
at the bam or on the big "horse-block" platform came in 
that big kitchen. A kitchen floor of fiction is always snowy 
white; this real kitchen floor was not It was my grand- 
father's fault and he never heard the last of it. He laid 
it of elm timber and then to make it look nice had rubbed 
coal oil, linseed and whale oil into it. The result was a 
floor that always looked brown and stained. The discolor* 
ation never could be scrubbed out and I sometimes have 



196 LAST QEAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

thought that grandfather learned his algebra over again 
jnat so he could figure out how mueh it had ooat him in 
brooms, hired girl help, pails, soap, sal-soda and mops to 
remedy his oil idea of treating floors. It was always dean, 
but never looked so. 

It was in this big kitchen that I heard much of the lore 
of my ancestors. From his bedroom grandfather would 
take out the family records that told how his father had 
fought in the War of 1812. He would show me Uncle Ely 's 
war letters, and once he showed me an enyelope full of 
newspaper clippings about himself. Once he said he had 
been a lecturer and to prove it he read an old lecture and 
showed me the handbills he used at Victor and Oanan- 
daigua, way back in 1854. Years afterwards I found those 
old documents; some others had been destroyed by unap- 
preciative hands. 

To this home of his brother, filled with sons and grand- 
children, would come our great Unde Ely. Usually when 
he came he would bring a suit of clothes for my grand- 
father, made in exact pattern of his own ; and a big satchel 
of presents for every one else. I must have been seven 
years old when I first saw Unde Ely. I did not know he 
had come, and rushing into the sitting room, I called out 
'^Gramp !" Then I fell back in dismay, for there were two 
''Gramps," dressed alike and to my startled eyes, each an 
exact counterpart, but when they spoke I noticed that their 
voices were slightly different 

While our distinguished unde was there, all the Indians 
of note would come to greet him. Then there would be a 
time of story-telling and reminisoenoei^ that grandfather 
would relate to me when all the guests had departed, or 
when later we would drive together with Flora or Nell, the 
faithful old mares. 

All the Parkers of the '' grandfather" generation had 
an hereditary love for fine horses. Uncle Ely never was 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 197 

without a fine span of dashing colts, and for many jeaxB, 
up to about 1875, my grandfather trained or bred his 
flteeds for him. Sorrels, blacks and bays were the favorites. 
In many of Uncle Sly's letters to grandfather he expresses 
his solicitude for his ''colts." There were always good 
horses on the farm in the grandfather days, and a pair of 
mules that could do some wonderful endurance work in 
plowing or haulage — also kicking and balking. 

The prestige of being a good family of horse-traders was 
lost by my Uncle William, the son of Spencer Parker who 
married my aunt Minnie. He never made a good horse 
trade. The horses he got in trade always looked fine on 
first sight, but that in buying them Uncle William lacked 
the powers of second sight, was quite evident. The doughty 
steeds were halt, maimed or blind. Some of them had a gait 
like a rabbit and others walked with their front feet and 
dragged their rear limbs after them like the wooden teeth 
of a com row-marker. It took my cousin Carl to drive 
those balky, walky, stalky steeds. At the first sign of eccen- 
tricity they got a series of hickory hints that came as 
rapidly as if shot from a gatling gun. Soon, very soon, 
those abnormal animals learned to behave — for Carl. Yet 
the horse-trading instinct had gone. Civilization does 
eliminate lots of judgment — and as a blind orchardist with 
a relentless pruning-knife trims the branches of the family 
tree, to shape it without considering the virtues or the 
products of the new twigs that project beyond the line of 
convention. 

My grandfather was ever a pioneer of progress among 
his people. He, with Noah Two Guns, had the first stump- 
puller, and they formed a stock company. The first Deer- 
ing self-binder used on the reservation was his and indeed 
all the best farm machinery needful for his purposes was 
acquired. Unlike many of the Indians he kept his ma- 
chinery with great care, never allowing it to lie out in the 



108 LAST GBAND 8ACSBU OF THB IB0QU0I8 

weather to rust Drills, comndieUers, fanning-miUsy and 
feed-ehoppers are in as good order today as thirty years 
ago, save the natural wear on paint and edge. His son 
Sherman, who ran the farm after grandfather's death, was 
careful with the old tools. 

Perhaps this love of good farming and good farm tools 
gave him his interest in the '^Iroquois Agricultural Soci- 
ety," the fair association, of which he was an officer for 
many years, sometimes as president and other times as 
secretary. It was a great exhibition in his day, and the 
whites came from miles around to see the ''Indian fair." 
Wagons and horses were literally lined alcmg the fences for 
two miles and on either side of the road. Grandfather had 
an eye for business. He had a blacksmith shop on his farm 
which as I have said adjoined the fair grounds. 

Beside being clerk of the nation, United States inter- 
preter, census agent, marshal of the nation, orator, agri- 
culturist and civil engineer, my grandfather was the 
drum major of the Seneca Indian Silver Comet Band. He 
was a versatile and useful citizen of the Seneca Bepublic, 
like his other brother Ely, he never could completely 
accept civilization's teachings or wholly neglect the philoso- 
phy of his fathers. Seeing true virtue in each, according 
to his mood he argued for each. Many Indians have this 
same characteristic and often appear vacillating and un- 
certain in judgment when in reality the quality is merely 
the involuntary mental struggle between hereditary impres- 
sions and proclivities and those acquired. Until civilization 
crushes out all of the old instincts, or wisdom brings with 
it a strongly balanced judgment, Indians will ever be at 
moral sea; for character, point of view, methods and phi- 
losophy, like religion, may be historical and ethnic. In the 
ethnological sense would it not be difficult for an English- 
man to rebuild his whole mental and moral nature on the 
teachings of Buddha and to imitate the manners and phi- 



LAST ORAND 8ACHBM OF THE IBOQUOIS 199 

losophy of the Hindoos f Equally difficult is it for the 
Indian to base his conoepts of legal procedure and social 
relations on the ciTie outgrowths of the Norman and 
Saxon people, or acquire a religion that was nursed by the 
Hebrews^ educated by the Bomans and converted by the 
Anglo-Saxons and readjusted to ''modem" economic 
notions. There ever will be confusion, until in the course 
of cosmic alchemy all bloods revert to an original strain, 
like Darwin's pigeons. How dreary and hideously uniform 
the world will be then ! There will be no mental flint and 
steel. It will all be flint or all srteel. There wiU be a salt 
and stagnant sea. Again the earth will be without form 
and void and all will be sea — ^the rivers from many valleys 
will have run dry and the valleys with the mountains will 
be submerged. 

My grandfather was a tall, dignified man of five feet 
eleven inches, this being an inch and a half taller than 
Uncle Ely. Among women he was dignified but courteous, 
among men he was jovial and popular. His conduct and 
conversation was always chaste and he despised anything 
profane. He was ever proud of his blood and ancestry, anct 
unlike his distinguished brother, often appeared at celebra- 
tions and historical exercises dressed in the full regalia of a 
Seneca chief. He so appeared at the dedication of the 
Mary Jemijson council house at Letchworth Park in 1879, 
at the unveiling of the Bed Jacket monuments at Canoga 
and Buffalo, and at the various ceremonial and adoption 
councils on the reservation. When taken to task for emu- 
lating his ancestors he said, ^ ' I can be as much a gentleman 
in the eostume of my fathers as is a Scotch lord in costume 
celebrating his native events. Even Englishmen affect 
their old-time dress on old-time occasions. ' ' 

As a matter of fact the curse of the Indian "Wild West 
show has led many good persons to discourage Indians from 
wearing their native costumes since it seemed an indication 



SOO LAST GRAND SACHEM OF TEE IBOQUOIS 

that eduoation had never done any good and that after all 
the Indian was ''an irreclaimable savage." 

But for memory 's aake the old tomahawk, aealping^knif e 
and fiint-locky the beaded sashes and feather isap all hung 
in the big sitting-room and helped the children imagine 
wonderful things when grandfather told his evening story 
about ''old times.'' Oh those grandfather tales, of legends 
of his hunting, of traditions of his boyhood days! Those 
tales helped to mold the minds of his grandchildren. 

Naturally a breeder of good horses had to have a good 
hostler to care for them, so grandfather had a colored 
"coachman," whose wife was a gypsy. The black man's 
name was Henry Baltimore and his wife's Mary Polo. She 
got mad at me once because I laughed when she stepped 
backward while scrubbing the porch and sat down in her 
mop-paiL She chased me with the mop and hit me with it, 
so I got wet just as she did, but she didn't laugh — she 
swore in Romany. Mary and Henry lived across the 
road in a two-story cabin and every now and then in the 
noisy night old John Kennedy would come from Gh>wanda, 
the trading town, and just to show his spite or knowledge 
of tradition would shout: "Injun fust, white man nex', dog 
nex', nigger lasht — ^Whoop." The next hostler wasn't a 
negro. He was George Shongo, an old Seneca, who lived in 
the back basement and who whittled out odd trinkets. My 
grandmother just kept him because he was poor and had 
no place to go. He could clean the stables and curry the 
horses, but would much rather make colored plumes from 
chicken feathers, or sew on fancy vests. Because he could 
whittle out fiddles and carve false faces, he was known as 
Ha-gon-so-nis, or "False-face maker." Once he used to 
drink rum, but my grandmother converted him to pepper 
tea. 

Our next hostler was more of a fisherman in his brand of 
veracity. He was my grandmother's brother who once was 



w ^ » "• w • 



„ • 






• • 



LAST OSAND SACSBM OF THE IB0QU0I8 201 

ji well-known horse-trainer. He had formerly worked for 
A. T. Stewart and for Bobert Bonner. It was he, he 
claimed, who trained Maud S. However, he had fallen bcu&k- 
ward from his suUy and had his head kicked by the horse 
that followed. His mind was never normal after that time, 
except on horse matters. He was an expert horse doctor, 
fed the horses burdock leaves to keep them in prime and 
was useful in many other ways. His stories of his adven- 
tures were wonderful hyperboles but he told them over and 
over to every listener he could find. When he died and 
was buried in the Indian cemetery, I carved a horse on the 
grave-stake. His name was Seth Hoyt. 

This chapter might be lengthened to include many a 
Tomanee, but our aim has been only to picture in it a view 
of reservation environment and link it to the story of 
<3eneral Parker. 

My grandfather died in 1892. Two brothers died the 
year before him, his sister Carrie died the same year, and 
Uncle Ely was left alone, of all the Parkers of the grand- 
father generation. 

It was to this farm and to this brother, with his great 
family, that Uncle Ely so often came bringing cheer and 
sunshine, good stories and inspirations. It was to this 
farm that many distinguished men and women of a genera- 
tion ago came — ^writers, scientists, missionaries, newspaper 
men, tourists, philanthropists. In this home and the Mis- 
sion across the fence — ^in this family, of the grandfather 
generation — grew and were nursed the forces that did most 
to bring civilization to the Senecas of New York and to 
save their lands from the spoiler's cunning. 



20S LAST OBAND 8ACEBM OF THE lEOQUOIB 

CHAPTER XVin 

THE BONES OF BED JACKET 

In my great-grandfather's day, when Bed Jacket, fam- 
ished by his long journey from Buffalo village came to 
Tonawanda, he often stopped at William Parker's home 
for his evening meal and lodging. Here he could consult 
Blacksmith, Sos-he-o-wa and the other Tonawanda chiefs — 
besides Elizabeth was a Wolf and therefore he was her 
brother. 

Ely Parker as a tiny lad, still in his babyhood, fre- 
quently saw the great Bed Jacket and was taught to call 
him ''grandfather." Not all the Tonawandas liked Red 
Jacket; his own debauchery, his ambition to be a sachem 
and the slander of Handsome Lake, the prophet, had done 
much to prejudice all the people against him. Bed Jacket 
had his friends; his clansmen were compelled to give him 
food and shelter, but he was fully aware of the lingering 
hatred that existed in the hearts of many. General Parker, 
well knowing the hostility of the followers of Handsome 
Lake to Bed Jacket, writes in explanation : 

Bed Jacket was a chief and an orator. His extraordinary intel- 
lectual ability and power of speech made him a great chief among 
the Indians, bnt he never attained the rank of sachem, although he 
schemed assidaouslj for it, which was a fatal bar to his snoeess, as 
it was a fundamental rule of the League that the office was to seek 
the man and not the man the office. Bed Jacket's conceit that his 
power could override the unwritten laws of the League was a stumb- 
ling block which ultimately caused his downfall and embittered him 
to his dying day. He carried his trouble to V7ashington but a 
representation by the chiefs and sachems of the Senecas that he 
had been deposed, was no Icmger a chief and hence not entitled to 
be heard, had preceded him to Washington and when he reached 
there and found himself discredited and learned that the charm of his 
voice had lost its weight, his proud heart was lacerated and he returned 
to his home a broken-down man. The breach with his people was 
partially healed before his death, but he was a disappointed man. 



LAST GRAND 8ACSSM OF THE IBOQUOIS 90» 

Bed Jacket had done much for Bnffalo, but it wa« many 
yean before that city awakened to its obligation. For 
years his bones had reposed in the little mission oemetery. 
For years his grave was unmarked. The first tombstone 
he' had was erected by an actor, but vandals chipped it 
away for souvenirs. 

In that same cemetery lay the bones of Mary Jemison, 
the white woman of tiie Genesee. In that same field of 
buried memories were the great heroes of the War of 1812, 
captains and sachems of the 9enecas. There lay the noble 
Farmer's Brother, Captain Pollard, with his wife and 
child; Little Billy, one time Washington's guide; Young 
King, Destroy Town, Twenty Oanoes, William Jacket and 
the renowned Governor Blacksnake. There in that ceme- 
tery were the mortal remains of the Senecas of the loved 
Do-sho-weh-gey, the Basswood land, as the Buffalo reserve 
was called. 

The Senecas by vile fraud were driven from this loved 
spot. With bitter hearts they went, leaving the land of 
memories, the bones of their honored dead, and much of 
tbeir own living spirit, behind. Every human sentiment 
was outraged by the Ogden Land Company; and unable 
now to revenge, the Senecas choked back their natural rage 
and went on to Cattaraugus, the Waters where Odors Arise, 
and down to Hie valley of the 0-hi-yu, or Beautiful River, 
as the Allegheny country was called. Then the cemetery 
became a pasture where vagrant cattle roamed. The 
Senecas had been led to believe this sacred acre had been 
reserved, but it seems that the title had somehow been 
passed over to the land conspirators. For years after the 
Senecas came there to weep and to bring flowers, but as 
the older people passed away the cemetery was neglected. 

In the year 1884 a movement was started to re-inter the 
remains of Bed Jacket. Much interest had been created 
as the movement grew and General Parker was among the 



204 LAST GBAND 8ACHSM OF THE ISOQUOIS 

first to concern himself with this plan to honor his dis- 
tingnished clan grandfather. In the course of events he 
wrote Mr. Bryant the letter quoted below : 

No. 300 MuLBBUtT 8TUETy Nsw YOBX, MkJ S, 1884. 

"W. C. B&TANT, Esq., Buffalo, N. Y. 

DxAB Sib: — Yoan of the 26th ult. was dulj reeeived. I am Texy 
much oblis^ed to Mr. Marshall for mentioning to jovl the eireum- 
atance of mj having written him on the sabjeet of the re-interment 
of Bed Jacket's remains. My principal object was to obtain an 
asaorance of the genninenees of the remains. Thia I did beeanse 
I was informed many jears ago that Bed Jacket's grays had been 
surreptitiously opened and the bonee taken therefrom into the Ci^ 
of Buffalo, where some few Indians^ under the leadership of Daniel 
Two Guns, a Seneca chief, recovered them a few hours after thej 
were taken. They were never re-interred, but were securely boxed 
up and secreted, first in one Indian's house and then in another. 
At length I saw by the papers that th^ were now lodged in the 
vault of some bank in Buffalo. I wished only to be satisfied that 
the remains which the BuflSalo Historical Society proposed to re-inter 
were really those of the celebrated chief Bed Jacket. That was 
«U. Whatever views I may have entertained rejecting this scheme, 
which is not new, is now of no oonsequance, for your letter advises 
me that the subject has been fully discussed with the survivors of 
the families of the departed chiefs, and also of the Council of the 
Seneca Nation, who have all assented to the project of re-interment 
and to the site selected. 

I am, with respect, jours, etc., 

Slt S. Pabkbe. 

Mr. Bryant sent to the General the following reply, 

which will be found of great interest, and may be eon- 

sidered the first authoritative statement of the matter 

ever made: 

Buffalo, June 25, 1884. 
OxN. Ely S. Pabkib: 

DsAB Sib: — ^In 1852. Bed Jacket's remains reposed in the old 
Mission Cemetery at East Buffalo, surrounded by those of Young 
King, Gapt. Pollard, Destroy Town, Little Billy, Mary Jemison, and 



LAST GBAND SACEBM OF THE IB0QU0I8 205 

ofherfi lenoimed in the later histoxy of the Seneeas. His grave wae 
marked hy a marble slab, erected bj the eminent eomedlan, Heorj 
Plaeide, but which had been ehipped away to half of its original 
proportions by relio hunters and other vandals. The cemetery was 
the pasture ground for vagrant cattle, and was in a scandalous state 
of dilapidation and neglect. The legal title to the grounds was and 
still is in the possession of the Ogden Land Companyi although 
at the time of the last treaty the Indians were led to believe that 
the cemetery and church grounds were excluded from its operation. 
At the time mentioned (1852), Gtoorge Gopway, the well-known Ojibwa 
lecturer, delivered two or more lectures in Buffalo, in the course of 
which he called attention to Bed Jacket's neglected grave and agi- 
tated the subject of the removal of his dust to a more secure place 
and the erection of a suitable monument. A prominent business 
man, the late Wheeler Hotchkiss, who lived adjoining the cemetery, 
because deeply interested in the project, and he, together with Cop- 
way, assisted by an undertaker named FarweU, exhumed the remains 
and placed them in a new cofin, which was deposited with the 
bones in the cellar of the Hotchkiss residence. 

There were a few Senecas still living on the Buffalo Greek Beser^ 
vation, among them Moses Stevenson, Thomas Jemison, Daniel Two 
Guns, and others. They discovered that the old chief's grave had 
been vi<^ted almost simultaneously with its accomplishment. Steven- 
son, Two Guns, and a party of excited sympathisers among the 
whites, hastily gathered together and repaired to the Hotchkiss resi- 
dence, where th^ demanded that the remains should be given up to 
them. The request was complied with and the bones were taken to 
Gattarangus and placed in the custody of Buth Stevenson, the fav- 
orite step-daughter of Bed Jacket, and a most worthy wmnan. Buth 
was the wife of James Stevenson, brother of Moses. Their father 
was a contemporary of Bed Jacket and a distinguished chief. She 
was a sister of Daniel Two Guns. Her father, a renowned warrior 
and chief, fell at the battle of CSiippewa, an ally of the United 
SUtes. 

When the demand was made by the excited multitude Hotch- 
kiss manifested considerable perturbation at the menacing attitude 
of the crowd. He turned to FarweU and, indicating the place of 
deposit of the remains, requested that FarweU should descend into 
the cellar and bring up the coffin or box, which by the way, was 
made of red cedar and about four feet in length. 

Buth preserved the remains in her cabin for some years and 
flnaUy buried them, but resolutely concealed from every living per- 
son any knowledge of the place of sepulture. Her husband was 



S06 LAST OBAND 8ACHBU Of THM IBOQVOIS 



tkra deftd and the was a ehildlewi loae widow. As she beflaae 
adfaiiead in yean it grew to be a sonree of aazietj to her i^at 
diapoaitioii should finally be made of these saered rdies. She eoA- 
solted the Ber. Asher Wright and his wife on the snbjeet, and 
oondnded at length to deliver them over to the Boffalo Historieal 
Society^ which, with the approval of the Seneca Oooncil, had nnder- 
taken to provide a permanent resting-plaes for the bones of that 
old ddef and his compatriots. 

I do not believe that there is any ground for doubting the iden- 
tity of the remains and I think Hotehkiss and his oenf ederates should 
be acquitted of any intention to do wrong. It was an implusive 
and ill-advised act on their part. The few articles buried with the 
body were found intact. The skull is in ezeellent preservation and 
is unmistakably that of Bed Jacket. Eminent surgeons, who have 
examined it and compared it with the best portraits of Bed Jacket, 
attest to its genuineness. 

The Bev. Asher Wright was a faithful missionary among the 
Senecas for nearly half a century. 

There was no opportunity afforded HotchkisB and his companions 
to fraudulently substitute another skeleton, had they been so disposed. 
I knew Hotehkiss well and have his written statements of the facts. 
Farwell, who still lives, and is a very reputable man, says that when 
the remains were surrendered to the Indians the skuB had (as it 
has now) clinging to it in places a thin crust of plaster of Paris, 
showing that an attempt had been made to take a cast of it, which 
probably was arrested by the irruption of Two Ouns and his band. 

I have dictated the foregoing becanse on re-perusal of your 
esteemed letter, I discovered I had not met the question which was 
in your mind when you wrote ACr. Marshalli and I greatly fear 
that I have wearied you by reciting detaOs with which you were 
already familiar. 

The old Mission Cemetery, I grieve to say, has been invaded 
by white foreigners, who are burying their dead there with a stolid 
indifference to every sentiment of justice or humanity. 

Yours very respectfully, 

WILLUIC 0. BlTAMT. 



General Parker, in acknowledgment of the last com- 
munication, said that he had never entertained a doubt as 
to the identity of the remains, but was curious to know how 



LAST GMAND SACHBM OF TEE IB0QU0I8 907 

the IndiaBs had been induced to sorrender them to the 
possession of the whites. 

The reburial of Bed Jacket and the nine Seneca chiefs 
was an incident in the history of Buffalo. Many of the 
best representatives of the Six Nations from Canada and 
New York were present. Hundreds of prominent citizens 
witnessed the funeral cortege and the ceremonies, and 
many came from long distances to take part in the exer- 
cises, 

The principal address of the occasion was made by 
William C. Bryant, but an address equally significant from 
the standpoint of the Senecas was made by General Parker. 
As an example of the thoughts of his later life, we wish to 
quote it in full. It will assist in measuring his mind and 
in fathoming the depths of his Indian heart. 

General Parker's Address at the Tomb of Ked Jacket 

''Much has been said and written of the Iroquois people. 
All agree that they once owned and occupied the whole 
country now constituting the State of New York. They 
reached from the Hudson on the east to the lakes on the 
west, and claimed much conquered territory. 

''I desire only to direct attention to one phase of their 
character, which in my judgment has never been brought 
out with sufficient force and clearness, and that is, their 
fidelity to their obligations and the tenacity with which 
they held to their allegiance when once it was pledged. More 
than two hundred and fifty years ago, when the Iroquois 
were in the zenith of their power and glory, the French 
made the mistake of assisting the northern Indians with 
whom the Iroquois were at war. They never forgot or 
forgave the French for the aid they gave their Indian 
enemies and the French were never able afterward to gain 
their friendship. About the same time the Holland Dutch 
'Came up the Hudson, and though perhaps they were no 



206 LAST GBAND 8ACHSM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

wiser than their French neighbors, they certainly porsaed 
a wiser policy by securing the friendship of the Iroquois. 
The Indians remained true to the allegiance until the Dutch 
were superseded by the English, when they also transferred 
their allegiance to the new comers. They remained stead- 
fast to the faith they had given, and assisted the English 
people to put down the rebellion of the American Colonies 
against the mother government. 

''The colonists succeeded in gaining their independence 
and establishing a government to their liking, but in the 
treaty of peace which followed, the English entirely 
ignored and forgot their Indian allies, leaving them to shift 
for themselves. A portion of the Iroquois, under Captain 
Brant, followed the fortunes of the English into Canada, 
where they have since been well cared for by the provincial 
and home governments. Those who remained in the United 
States continued to struggle for their homes and the integ- 
rity of what they considered their ancient and just rights. 
The aid, however, which they had given against the cause 
of the American Revolution had been so strong as to leave 
an intense burning hostility to them in the minds of the 
American people, and to allay this feeling and to settle for 
all time the question of rights as between the Indians and 
the whites, General Washington was compelled to order an 
expedition into the Indian country of New York to break 
the Indian power. This expedition was under command 
of General Sullivan. The Indians left to themselves and 
bereft of promised British aid, made Sullivan's success an 
easy one. He drove them from their homes, destroyed and 
burnt their villages, cut down their cornfields and orchards, 
leaving the poor Indians homeless, houseless and destitute. 
We have been told this evening that the 'Long House' of 
the Iroquois had been broken. It was indeed truly broken 
by Sullivan's invasion. It was so completely broken that 
never again will the 'Long House' be reconstructed. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 209 

''The Indians sued for peace. They were now at the 
merey of General Washington and the American x>eople. A 
peace was granted them, and small homes allowed in the 
vast domains Ihey once claimed as absolutely and wholly 
theirs by the highest title known among men, viz. : by the 
gift of God. The mercy of the American people granted 
them the right to occupy and cultivate certain lands until 
some one stronger wanted them. They hold their homes 
today by no other title than that of occupancy, although 
some Indian bands have bought and paid for the lands they 
reside \ipon the same as you, my friends have bought and 
paid for the farms you live upon. The Indian mind has 
never to this day been able to comprehend how it is that 
he has been compelled to buy and pay for that which has 
descended to him from time immemorial, and which his 
ancestors had taught him was the gift of the Great Spirit 
to him and his posterity forever. It was an anomaly in 
civilized law far beyond his reasoning powers. 

**In the treaty of peace concluded after Sullivan's cam- 
paign the remnants of the Iroquois transferred their 
allegiance to the United States, and to that allegiance they 
have remained firm and true to this day. They stood side 
by side with you in the last war with Great Britain, in the 
defense of this frontier, and fought battles under the 
leadership of the able and gallant General Scott. Again 
the sons of the Iroquois marched shoulder to shoulder witii 
you, your fathers, your husbands and your sons in the last 
great rebellion of the South, and used, with you their best 
endeavors to maintain the inviolability and integrity of the 
American Constitution, to preserve unsullied the purity of 
the American Flag, and to wipe out forever from every 
foot of American soil the curse of human slavery. Such, 
in brief has been their fidelity to their allegiance. 

^'It was during the troublous times of the American 
Revolution that Red Jacket's name first appears. He is 



210 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THB IBOQUOIS 

mentioned aa a messenger, or bearer of dispatches, or run- 
ner, for the British. He subsequently appears at the treaty 
of peace and at all treaties and councils of importance 
his name is always prominent. He was a devoted lover 
of his people and defender of their ancient rights. His 
political creed did not embrace that peculiar doctrine now 
so strongly believed in, that 'to the victors belong the 
spoils. ' He did not know that the Sullivan campaign had 
taken from his people all the vested rights which God had 
given them, and when subsequently, he was made to under- 
stand that a pre-emptive title hung over the homes of his 
people he was amazed at the audacity of the white man's 
law which permitted and sanctioned the sale and transfer 
by one person to another of rights never owned and of 
properties never seen. 

''From the bottom of my heart I believe that Red Jacket 
was a true Indian and a most thorough pagan. He used all 
the powers of his eloquence in opposition to the introduc- 
tion of civilization and Christianity among his people. In 
this as in many other things he signally failed. So per- 
sistent and tenacious was he in his hostility to the white 
man and his ways and methods that one of his last requests 
is said to have been that white men should not dig his 
grave and that white men should not bury him. But how 
forcibly now comes to us the verity and strength of the 
saying that 'man proposes but Qod disposes.' Red Jacket 
had proposed that his remains should lie buried and undis- 
turbed in the burial-place of his fathers. Very soon after 
his death the people removed from their old lands to other 
homes. Red Jacket's grave remained unprotected, and 
ere long was desecrated. God put it into the hearts of 
these good men of the Buffalo Historical Society to take 
charge of his remains, give him a decent burial in a white 
man's graveyard, and over his grave to erect a monument 
which should tell his story to all future generations. 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 211 

''We have this day witnessed and participated in the 
culmination of their labors. But Bed Jacket has been 
honorably reburied with solemn and ancient rites, and may 
his remains rest there in peace until time shall be no more. 
While a silent spectator of the ceremonies today, the words 
of the Blessed Savior forcibly presented themselves to my 
mind : ^ The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have 
nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay His head.' 
I applied this saying to the Indian race. They have been 
buffeted from pillar to post. They once owned much but 
now have hardly anything they can call their own. While 
living they are not let alone, when dead they are not left 
unmolested. 

''Members of the Buffalo Historical Society: The rep- 
resentatives of the Iroquois here present have imposed 
upon me the pleasing duty of returning to you their pro- 
found and sincere thanks for the honor you have done their 
people today. Mournful memories are brought to their 
minds in the sad ceremonies in which they have been both 
participants and witnesses, but their griefs are all assuaged 
and their tears dried up by your kindness. They will carry 
back to their people nothing but good words of you and 
yours. They again return you thanks and bid you fare- 
well." 

General Parker then exhibited the Bed Jacket medal 
presented by order of General Washington, President in 
1792. It is of silver, oval in shape, seven inches long by 
five inches broad. The general had dressed it in black and 
white wampum, the black indicating mourning and the 
white, peace and gladness. In the article in the Buffalo 
Courier of October 10th describing the occasion, the editor 
truly says : 

"The production of this medal was important, because 
stories, like that about B^d Jacket's bones, have for some 



sit LA8T GBAND SACHBM OF THB IB0QU0I8 

time been current to the effect that this medal was exhibited 
out West years ago. Like Bed Jacket's bones, howeyer, it 
has been carefully preserved, and there is no doubt what- 
ever of its identity." 

Six years passed and a movement had grown having as 
its object the erection of a fitting monument to the orator 
of the Iroquois. General Parker consulted with sculptors 
and friends. His idea was to make the monument symbolic, 
carrying out the Indian ideas of a fitting memorial, depart- 
ing as far as possible from the ordinary statue with a 
merely ornamental base. The thought which came to 
Gfeneral Parker's mind was to preserve the prophetic words 
of the great orator, ^'I am an aged tree." General Parker 
depicted this idea in the following plan, which I find after 
these years in his own handwriting : 

THE BED JACKET MEMORIAL. 

''I am an aged tree, and can stand no longer. My leaves are 
fallen^ my branches are withered and I am shaken by every breeze. 
Soon my aged trunk wiU be prostrate. ' ' Buch are a few of the mem- 
orable words reported to have been uttered by Bed Jacket to his 
people in his house to house farewell visits just previous to his death. 
They are personal in their character, the "aged tree" meaning him- 
self, the withered branches his exhausted strength, and the fallen 
leaves the loss of all his children who were the pride and glory of 
his early manhood. While the words are so exclusively personal, to 
me th^ also speak of the expiring life of the Iroquois Confederacy. 
The embers of its council-fire had been extinguished, its ashes scat- 
tered to the four winds of heaven and the symbolic Long House left 
a mass of ruins after the expedition of General Sullivan into the 
Seneca country in 1779. Whether Bed Jacket felt this or not, it was 
notwithstanding an accomplished fact when these words were spoken. 
The "aged tree'' represented the Indian Confederacy, the birth of 
whose existence was unknown to the memory of man; its fallen leaves 
the extinguishment of its long line of brave warriors and sage coun- 
sellors; and its withered branches the disintegration of its various 
tribes. Bed Jacket, in condoling with his special people on the 
consequences which would follow his approaching dissolution, was but 
pronouncing a requiem upon the ghost of the ancient confederacy, the 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 21S 

refrain to which can only be founded hj its"^ present unfortunate 
Burvivora. 

It seems to me that the happj simile of the tree must have been 
deeply rooted in Bdd Jacket's mind, for upon another occasion, in 
referring to his family a£9ictions, he is reported to have said: ''Bed 
Jacket was once a great man and in favor with the Great Spirit. 
He was a lofty pine among the smaller trees of the forest. . . . 
The Great Spirit has looked upon him in anger, and the lightning 
has stripped the pine of its branches.'' 

In my mind I have hastily reviewed the many incidents happen- 
ing in Bed Jacket 's long life, and I am at present forcibly impressed 
that the ' ' aged tree ' ' is the most fitting emblem that could be placed 
over the spot where rest his mortal remains, because it will appro- 
priately perpetuate the ideas he entertained of himself and at the 
same time properly symbolize the ending or death of the Iroquois 
Confederacy. 

I am neither an artist nor a critic of art, but my idea of this 
memorial is, for the ''aged tree" to stand on the pedestal solitary 
and alone; Bed Jacket, in an oratorical pose, with four or five 
Indians to represent the other nations, sitting or in recumbent posi- 
tions about him, to be on the front bas-relief; broken bows and 
arrows with broken pipes and partially buried tomahawks and other 
warlike implements to be on a side bas-relief; and the symbolie 
"Long House," in ruins, on the other side in bas-relief. The fourth 
side of the pedestal might be left vacant to indicate that the extino^ 
tion of the Confederacy leaves a blank in the history of this country, 
as has happened to other tribes who have journeyed to the spirit 
land before them and been forgotten. 

The above are mere suggestions for consideration. Any other 
plan equally suggestive and comprehensive will secure my cordial 
approval and support. 

Ely S. Pabkxh. 
N. Y., 2-13- '89. 

Another plan however succeeded, and while Mrs. Harriet 
Maxwell Converse was raising funds in 1890, Mrs. Martha 
M. Huyler contributed the amount necessary for the com- 
plete monument, though it was built on entirely different 
lines. It stands today at the entrance of Forest Lawn 
Cemetery in Buffalo, a tribute to Bed Jacket and Bed 
'Jacket's people. 



214 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

General Parker living came once again to witness the 
dedication of that monument. He came once more in 
death, and like Bed Jacket, his remains were taken from 
their first grave, to be reburied beneath the shadow of that 
monument, and by the side of the great men of his nation 
who had known his father. 

We can not close this chapter on Bed Jacket without 
quoting General Parker's letter, describing Bed Jacket's 
disappointed ambition to become a Sachem of the League. 
He wrote: 

New York. November 26, 1884. 
WnjjAM C. Bryant, Esq. Buffalo, N. Y.: 

Dear Sir: — I owe you many apologies for not before answer- 
ing yours of October 25th, which was duly received, but I have had 
so many other things to attend to that your letter was temporarily 
laid aside. I will now, however, respond as briefly as I can to your 
inquiries respecting Bed Jacket. 

You say you ''have always been led to believe that Bed Jacket 
did not belong to any of the noble or aristocratic families in which 
the title or distinction was hereditary." Also, *'was his mother of 
noble birth?" etc., etc. 

Let me disabuse your mind of one matter in the outset. Such 
a thing as aristocracy, nobility, class caste or social grades was un- 
known among the Iroquois. A political superiority was, perhaps, 
given by the founders of the League to the Mohawks, Onondagas 
and Senecas, who were styled "brothers," and were addressed as 
"fathers" by the Oneidas and Cayugas, who also were "brothers" 
and yet "children." Nor were the Turtle, Bear and Wolf dans 
invested with the first attribute of nobility or aristocracy because 
they were also the elder brothel's and cousins to the other clans. I 
am of the opinion that no purer and truer democracy, or a more 
perfect equality of social and political rights,, ever existed among 
any people than prevailed among the Iroquois at the time of their 
discovery by the whites. Often at that time and since persons 
attained positions of prominence and power by their superior intel- 
lectual abilities or their extraordinary pit)we6S and success on the 
war-path. (Conspicuous examples of this fact are Joseph Brant and 
Bed Jacket.) Successes of this kind, however, brought only tempo- 
rary and ephemeral distinction to him, his family, his relations, 
his clan, and perhaps, reflected some honor on his tribe. But this 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TpS IBOQUOIS 216 

accidental or fatuitouB distinction was not transmissible as a rightful 
or hereditary one, and was retained onlj so long as intellectual superi- 
ority, military prowess or personal bravery could be maintained by 
the person or family. 

When declining years broke one's intellectual and physical pow- 
ers some younger person immediately dropped in to fill the gap, and 
the old warrior or councilor fell away into obscurity. Thus it is 
easily seen how the hand of power and distinction could be con- 
stantly shifted from one person or family to another, and could 
never remain settled longer than he or they were able to upheld the 
qualities entitling them to the supremacy. The founders of the 
League may or may not have considered this question in the organiza- 
tion they made. They perfected a confederacy of tribes, officered 
by forty-eight hereditary sachems or peace men and two hereditary 
military sachems or chieftains. They ignored the individuality of per- 
sons (except Tododaho) and families and brought the several tribes 
into the closest relationship by the establishment of common clans or 
^totemships, to whom was confided the hereditability of the League 
officers. It was a purely accidental circumstance that some of the 
clans in some of the tribes were not endowed with sachemships and 
that others got more than one. But because some of the clans got 
more than one sachem, and because a family in that clan was tempo- 
rarily intrusted with the care of it, did not in consequence thereof 
ennoble or make the clan or family aristocratic. Bear in mind this 
fact: a sachemship belongs to a clan and is the property of no one 
family. Honorary distinctions are only assumed by the tribes or 
clans from the fact that the League makers gave them the rank of 
the elder or younger, and the family government and gradation of 
kinship was introduced to bring the same more readily to their com- 
prehension, understanding and remembrance. 

This idea of Indian social grades with titles is all a vain and 
foolish fancy of the early imaginative writers, who were educated to 
believe in such things; and the idea is retained, used and still dis- 
seminated by our modem susceptibles that love and adore rank and 
quality, and that give and place them where none is claimed. I do 
not deny that Soyaner in the Mohawk means Lord or Master, but 
the same word, when applied to terrestrial or political subjects, only 
means Councilor. The Seneca word is Hoyarna, Councilor ; Hoyamago- 
war, Great Councilor. These names are applied to the League 
officers only, and the term "great" was added to designate them 
more conspicuously and distinguish them from a great body of lesser 
men who had forced themselves into the deliberations of the League 
Councilors. The term Hasanowaneh (^eat name) is given to this 



tlO LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IE0QU0I8 

last great body of men, a body now known as eliiefs. They were 
never provided for and, as I believe, were never contemplated by the 
League originators, but they subsequently came to the surface, as 
I have hereinbefore set forth, and forced a recognition of their exist- 
ence upon the ''Great Ck>uneilor8, " and, on account of their follow- 
ing and ability were provided with seats at the council board. 

Bed Jacket was one of these ''chiefs." He was supremely and 
exclusively intellectual. He was a walking encyclopedia of the aifaira 
of the Iroquois. His logical powers were nearly incontrovertible, 
at least to the untutored Indian generally. In his day, and to the 
times I am referring, the "Great Councilor's" word was his bond; 
it was of more weight and consequence than the word of a chief. 
Bed Jacket knew this well, and, while he could not be made a League 
officer, he used every means which his wisdom and cunning could 
devise to make himself appear not only the foremost man of his 
tribe but of the League. He was ever the chosen spokesman of the 
Indians to the seat of government, whether state or federal. In the 
signing of treaties, though unsucceesf ully opposing them in open 
council, he would secretly intrigue for a blank space at or near the 
head of the list of signers, with a view, as the Indians asserted, of 
pointing to it as evidence that he was among its early advocates, 
and also that he was among the first and leading men of his tribe. 
He was even charged with being double-faced and sometimes speak- 
ing with a forked tongue. These and many other traits, both good 
and bad, which he possessed, worked against him in the minds of 
his people, and interposed an insurmountable bar to his becoming a 
League officer. 

After the War of 1812, whenever Bed Jacket visited the Tona- 
wanda Beservation, he made my father's house his principal home, 
on account of his tribal relationship to my mother, who was of the 
Wolf elan. My father and his brother Bamuel were both intelligent 
men, and knew and understood the Indians well, and were also fairly 
versed in Indian politics. During my early youth I have heard them 
discuss with other Indians the matters above referred to, and while 
they always agreed as to the main facts, they generally differed only 
as to the imderlying motives and intentions of Bed Jacket in his 
various schemes. 

White men visiting Indians for information usually ask specific 
questions, to which direct and monosyllabic answers are generally 
given. Seldom will an Indian go beyond a direct answer and give 
a general or extended reply; hence, I am not surprised that you had 
never heard anything respecting my statement, for as such a thing 
had never occurred to you, you have never thought to ask concerning 



LAST GBAND 8ACHSM OF THE IROQUOIS 217 

it. The fact, however, remaiiu the same, and I do not consider it 
derogatory of or a belittling of Bed Jacket's general character. 
Men of mind are nearly always courageous and ambitious. Bed 
Jacket was not an exception. 

You suggest the performance on my part of an act which is 
simply impossible. The words sachem, sagamore, chief, king, prince, 
cazique, queen, princess, etc, have been promiscuously and inter- 
changeably used by every writer on Indians ever since their dis- 
covery. I have seen three of the above terms used in one article with 
reference to one and the same person, showing great looseness and 
want of discrimination in the writer. Yourself, let me say, mention 
John Mt. Pleasant as "the principal hereditary sachem of the Tus- 
caroras." Now, my classification of Iroquois officers would be to 
rank the fifty original councilors as sachems, because they are the 
highest officers of the League. I would not use the term sagamore, 
because its use is almost wholly New England, and has been applied 
promiscuously to heads of bands, large and small, and sometimes to 
mere heads of families. To use other terms, such as king^ prince 
or princess (see King Philip, Eling Powhattan and Princess Poca- 
hontas), is preposterous and presumptuous, considering the total 
absence among these people of the paraphernalia, belonging and dig- 
nity of royalty. My classification is: League officers, fifty in num- 
bers, "Sachems''; all others, "Chiefs." The Tusearoras, for cer- 
tain reasons, were not admitted to a perfect equality in the League. 
They were not granted saehemships. Hence, Mt. Pleasant is not 
a sachem, only a chief. His talent and character might, indeed, 
constitute him the head chief of his tribe, but I doubt if his successor 
in name would take the same rank or exercise the same influence 
over the tribe that he does. Besides, the sachems alone can exercise 
a general authority in the League, while the chief's authority is 
confined to their respective tribes or bands. To invent a new name 
now for our fifty League officers would produce endless confusion in 
papers and books relating to them and their affairs. The task is 
too herculean to undertake. 

Pardon me for having been so prolix. I may also have failed to 
make myself understood, for I have been compelled for want of 
time to leave out a great deal of explanatory matter. But you are 
such a good Indianologist that I feel certain of your ability to 
comprehend me. I am, with respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

Ely S. Pabkkb. 



218 LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

General Parker never foiigot his obligation to his people, 
and in all the records that remain, we find his voice 
raised in petition that their memory be preserved 
by the conquering race. His intimate knowledge of that 
race's history gave him material for argument. This gave 
strength to his pleas which in many cases were effective in 
bringing about action on the part of interested friends oc 
organizations. The Geneva Historical Society brought to 
his attention the old burial place of the Senecas at the 
State Agricultural Farm near Geneva and in a memorial to 
the State Legislature he petitioned that it be set aside for- 
ever in memory of his nation. We therefore record his 
memorial as he wrote and signed it. His prayer, and that 
of his friends, was granted, and today the tract is set aside 
as State property and shall forever be unmolested by 
vandal hands. 

Memorial to The State Lsoislatuke. 

To the Honorable f the Legislature of the State of New York: 

I have been informed that adjoining the "New York Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station" near Geneva, N. Y., there is a certain 
piece of land of about three acres, which bears evidence of having 
once been the "Burying Place'' of the Seneca Indians. This par- 
ticular "Burying Place" must have been one of the many opened and 
used by the Senecas after their traditional dispersion from the 
"Great Hills" about Canandaigua Lake, and their resettlement at 
Ganundasaga (New- town or Geneva), and other places about Seneca 
Lake and west of Cayuga Lake. 

It is a historical fact that the Senecas claimed the country west- 
ward from Cayuga Lake, and their villages, or castles, were more 
thickly placed between Lakes Cayuga and Seneca, about the smaller 
lakes of Canandaigua, Honeoye, Conesus and Hemlock, up and down 
the beautiful valley of the Genesee river and so on westward to the 
country of the Neutral Nation along the Niagara river and to the 
homes of the Eries along the southern shores of the great lake of 
that name. Both of these Nations were subsequently exterminated 
by the combined power of the Iroquois, and this gave the Senecas 
unlimited claim to all the country west of them to the great Missis- 
sippi, and also Western Canada. The Senecas, however, lived in the 



LAST GBAND 8ACHBM OF THB IB0QU0I8 219 

villages and castles of their original country, but roamed, ad libitum, 
to the coontries north, south and west of them in pursuit of their 
national amusement^ vis.: that of fishing, hunting and war. The 
earliest expeditions of the French, English and Dutch found them 
a happy and contented people, and from a barbaric standpoint, they 
were a prosperous people, for their villages were well located, their 
dwellings comfortable and adapted to the climate; they cultivated 
fields where they raised com, beans, squashes and potatoes for their 
subsistence, and where besides they had apple, peach, plum and 
cherry trees in profusion. They also had a regular organized sys- 
tem of government suitable to their condition. The avarice, rivalries 
and cunning of the different pale-faced races by which they were 
being rapidly surrounded, brought them into unfortunate entangling 
alliances, and for the part they took against the colonies in their 
struggle for independence, (General Oeorge Washington, in 1779, sent 
an armed expedition, under command of General John Sullivan, to 
exterminate this people and wipe them out from the face of the 
American continent. 

General Sullivan carried out his instructions with scrupulous 
exactitude, destroying thousands of bushels of com, cutting down 
hundreds of acres of standing corn and fruit trees at all their settle- 
ments^ and burning all their villages and castles that he could find. 
The Indians made only a nominal resistance, but they were scattered 
and their national life was practically extinct after this expedition, 
and the few scattered remnants at once allied themselves with the 
people of the United States. To that allegiance they and their 
children have remained true to this day. 

In 1812 they fought side by side with the American soldiers in 
repelling the invaders from the northern frontier of the United 
States; and in the late Bebellion they marched shoulder to shoulder 
with the bravest of the Union men to the defense of the glorious 
fiag of the Stars and Stripes and to the maintenance of the doctrine 
that the American Union of States is one and indivisible. 

But it was on the expedition of General Sullivan that burial- 
places adjacent to some villages were discovered and noted. Among 
them, one not very far from Geneva was mentioned as a sepulchre, 
where there then lay in full exposure the corpse of an Indian chief, 
or sachem, dressed in his full robes of state. This burial place, it 
is suggested, should be bought and cared for by the State of New 
York as a monument of the place where this people once dwelt. It 
matters very little to the people of this State, or to the under- 
signed, whether this be done or not; but to the historian and to 
future generations, it is a matter of moment, to know what people 



t20 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 

lived here, what their eharaeteristieSy what relies they have left mud 
alflo what the people of this State have preeerred of their predeeeeiors 
before they themeelves became so deeply and firmly rooted in this 
ancient Indian soiL 

The amount required to initiate this matter is bat a trifle, and 
to maintain it hereafter is a mere bagatelle for the great Empire 
State, and the honor it will confer upon a heroic pre-existing race 
will be a noble one. This burial plot was forcibly abandoned by the 
Indians more than a hundred years ago, nor is it likely that an 
application similar to this will ever again be presented to the Legis- 
lature of this State. The Indians^ as such, have left no memorial 
monuments. A monument to Logan, the Cayuga, the avowed friend 
of the white man, put up by private enterprise in the cemetery of 
Auburn, N. T., is the only death remembrance which I am aware of 
that any Indian has ever received in this State. 

A proposition to perpetuate the memory of the Indian I>emoS' 
thenes^ Bed Jacket, and several of his compatriot chiefs by the erec- 
tion of a monument in the cemetery at Buffalo, is yet in embryo. 
The few surviving remnants of the Iroquois in this State will 
undoubtedly make suitable provisions for the protection of the 
grounds wherein they are at present depositing the last of their 
race. It is only natural and proper for people and individuals to 
wish to perpetuate in some manner the memories of their existence. 
The ancient Egyptians left to us their obelisks and pyramids, the 
Bomans their buried cities, the Greeks their arts and literature, the 
English are leaving their relics in Westminster Abbey, the Amerieans 
have already planted a Washington Monument, and sXL that is asked 
here of this Legislature is the purchase, preservation and consecra- 
tion of this small piece of ground, where shall remain, undisturbed 
from vandal hands, the dust of the Seneca dead. 

Bespectfully yours, 

E. 8. PABKxa, 

A Seneca Iroquois Saehem, 
New York, Feb. 1, 1888. 



8 3 



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O J 



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LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QV0I8 2S1 

CHAPTER XIX 

THE I/AST GRAND SACHEM. 

The Sachem had wandered afar from his people but he 
could not forget them. The force of circumstances had 
placed him in the midst of activities of civilization as a 
business man competing with other men. Though he often 
expressed a longing for the quiet valley of the Tonawanda 
and the council hall of the Senecas, his obligations held 
him to the island of Manhattan, and in the houses of stone 
dedicated to business, law and government. 

His city home was on Forty-second street, west of Sixth 
avenue, and there with his wife he entertained his many 
friends. He was ever sought by cultured men for his charm- 
ing manner and interesting conversational ability. Yet he 
never dropped to the commonplace. He was not a man who 
could talk about the weather, merely for the sake of talking. 

The Oenaral was devoted to his wife, whom he frequently 
described to his friends as '^ the one woman in all the world 
for me. ' ' He was wiih her in sickness and in health, always 
kind, patient and courteous. It is said, however, that he 
was ever dignified in her presence, never familiar or frivo- 
lous. 

As his fortunes faded he took a position in the Police 
Department of the city, where his old friend, General 
Smith, was Police Commissioner. He was at one time 
department architect, and later, until his death, supply 
clerk. It was in this historic office at 300 Mulberry street 
that he met many distinguished men who later entered 
public life. Here he saw Jacob Riis, the Danish newspaper 
reporter, and here he worked at the side of the aggressive 
Theodore Roosevelt Three hundred Mulberry street was a 
meeting place for many rising, aggressive men. Jacob Riis 
in his ' ' Making of an American ' ' tells of some whom he met 
there, and of his acquaintance with Parker: 



222 LAST GBAND SACHEM OF TSB IBOQUOIS 

I suppose it was the f aet that he was an Indian that first 
attraeted me to him [writes Mr. Biis]. As the jrears passed we 
became good friends, and I loved nothing better in an idle hoar 
than to smoke a pipe with the General in his poky little offiee at 
PoUoe HeadquartMrsu When, onee in a while^ it would happen that 
some of his people eame down from the Beserration or from Osnaday 
the powwow that ensued was mj dear delight. He was a noble old 
fellow. His title was no trumpery show either. It was fairly earned 
on more than one bloody field with Grant's army. Parker was 
Grant's military seeretary, and wrote the original draft of the sur- 
render at Appomattox, whieh he kept to his death with great pride. 
It was not General Parker, however, but Donehogawa^ Chief of the 
Seneeas and the remnant of the once powerful 8ix Nations, and 
guardian of the western door of the council lodge, that appealed to 
me, who in my boyhood had lived with Leather-fitocking and with 
Uncaa and CMngaohgook, They had something to do with my com- 
ing here, and at last I had for a friend one of their kin. I think 
he felt the bond of sympathy between us and prised it, for he showed 
me in many silent ways that he was fond of me. 

The General was ever a busy man, but somehow he always 
found time to visit with a friend or to write a friendly 
letter. At his fireside in the evening he frequently wrote 
long letters in answer to the innumerable questions he re- 
ceived. Likewise, when he could not resist the longing he 
would visit his old home at Tonawanda or go for a visit 
to his brother Nicholson at Cattaraugus. Just who all his 
friends were in New York the writer does not pretend to 
know. There were many of them, particularly army men. 
His friendship with Colonel Fred D. Grant was a deep and 
lasting one. He had known Fred as a boy and had taken 
him to his sister's home at Tuscarora. We only know he 
worked ceaselessly. His few leisure hours were either spent 
at home with his wife and daughter or at a friendly game 
of billiards, at which he was an expert player. 

His health in general was good but he showed the strain 
of the indoor life. An injured ankle developed a chronie 
case of varicose veins that left an open sore for several 
years. He suffered much from it, though he seldom men- 



LAST GBAND SACHEM OF THE IBOQUOIS 223 

tioned it save to very close friends. His friend 'Dr. Sails' 
bury was his physician, but though famous as a surgeon 
he never quite cured the injured ankle and foot. 

The General was often asked to write a story of his life, 
but he never did completely. Many things of importance 
he regarded as of little interest. He never wrote the story 
of his parents or told of his childhood acquaintance with 
Bed Jacket save to intimate friends. He never even men- 
tioned that his father and mother were cousins, according 
to the white man's way of reckoning. In the Indian sys- 
tem, however, each parent was of a different clan and the 
marriage was perfectly permissible. Fragments of his 
writings have been found, however, chiefly among the 
papers of his friend, Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse. 

The death of his sister Carrie in 1893 was a severe shock 
to him. She was the only sister of the family and the two 
had a deep bond of sympathy between them. With her 
death only three members of the family remained — ^Levi, 
Nicholson and himself. Both brothers were destined to 
pass away during the same year. He alone remaiued. Tha^ 
same year, on June 15th, he was stricken with paralysis at 
his desk at police headquarters. 

He was nursed back to health at his summer home in 
Fairfield, Conn., but he never fully recovered, although he 
resumed to some extent his customary labors. His battle 
for life was a heroic one, such as would be expected in a 
man so reared ; but two years later he seemed on the verge 
of a collapse. He was granted a leave of absence by the 
Police Commissioner and he went to the home of his friend 
Arthur Brown in Fairfield. He concealed the pain he suf- 
fered — ^he lived by force of an indomitable will. To a friend 
during these last days he said: ^'I came down to dinner 
to please the ladies, but I could not eat. I think I am dying 
physically." He revealed his lower limbs which were black 
with the lifeless blood that had settled there. 



224 LAST GBAND 8ACHBM OF THE IB0QU0I8 

A few hours paased. He lay ui)on his bed, with his wife 
and daughter Maud beside him, and thus he passed to the 
land of the hereafter, passed to the ttky-world of his fathers. 
Only his Maker knew of his pain or of his battle. 

His physician said afterward that his heart had beat until 
there was no more blood to pump, before it ceased its work. 

Then the news flashed over the wires, **Donehogawa is 
dead." Papers issued "extras" describing his remarkable 
life, and bereaved friends hastened to Fairfield for their 
last glimpse of the sachem of the Iroquois. His own people, 
with his relatives, came. C!olonel P. D. Grant, then Police 
Commissioner, expressed his genuine sorrow. ** General 
Parker," he said, **was a brave man. He served on my 
father's staff with distinction and was promoted for brav- 
ery. I am not superstitious," he added, **but yesterday 
morning I was especially thinking of General Parker and 
when I heard of his death I was not surprised. He died 
at the moment I was thinking so intently." Mrs. Parker 
had telegraphed Commissioner Grant of the General's death 
and a newspaper reporter recorded his remark. 

Members of the Loyal Legion, a detachment from Beno 
Post, G. A. R., and a delegation from the Society of Colonial 
Wars came to do the military honors due their departed 
brother member. His Masonic brothers were there in num- 
bers. Among his military friends were Colonel Pred Grant 
and General C. T. OoUes. 

Prom the reservation came Mrs. Jacob Doctor, the daugh- 
ter of his brother Levi, Prederick Ely Parker, the son of his 
brother Nicholson, Sachem Chauncey Abrams and Abram 
Moses, all representing the Tonawanda Senecas; from Cat- 
taraugus came Sachem Chester Lay and Andrew John; 
from Tuscarora came Chief Elias Williams and P. L. John- 
son ; from the Onondagas came Daniel LaPort, President of 
the Six Nations, and Abram Hill, the Wampum Keeper of 
the Confederacy of the Nations. 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IROQUOIS 

Among these men — ^we shall not name them — ^were high 
representatives of the ancient League of the Iroquois, and 
members of the ancient fraternities of the Iroquois of 
which Do-ne-ho-ga-wa had been a member. 

The funeral was conducted after the Episcopalian ritual. 
Upon the dead sachem's breast reposed the insignia of the 
Society of Colonial Wars and of the Loyal Legion. Of 
greater interest were the strands of sacred purple wampum 
that lay upon his casket, curved inward in the form of a 
circle, the ends touching. These were the sachemship or 
ho-ya-neh '^ horns'' and in that position symbolized that his 
life had been completed. But this wampum is never buried, 
for it is a living thing, and the seal of a title. The Wam- 
pum Keeper, before the casket was taken away, turned the 
ends outward like the spreading horns of a ram, or the sign 
of Ares, in token that the name of Donehogawa lived and 
would be ' ' raised ' ' again at the Ho-de-os-ha of the Nation. 

So, contrary to his mother's vision and her prophecy, this 
son of Tonawanda was buried in the land of the paleface 
and in the old territory of the Pequots, the ancient vassals 
of the Confederacy. Was it true her fancy had come to 
naught, like most Indian superstitions? Was it the bitter- 
ness of a sordid world of prosy fact that prevented the 
death cry of his clan? "6o-weh, go-weh, go-weh; Do-ne- 
ho-ga-wa is returning to his people!" 

Poetic justice, the will of his people, the patriotism of the 
Buffalo Historical Society, came to the rescue. Do-ne-ho- 
ga-wa should return and the spot seen by his mother at the 
foot of the rainbow should fold him in its earthly embrace. 

On January 20, 1897, with the consent of Mrs. Parker, 
the body of the General and sachem, was brought to Buffalo 
and reinterred at Forest Lawn Cemetery. He now lies be- 
side his forefathers and beneath the shadow of Red Jacket's 
monument. There friends gathered, red and white. Presi- 
dent Andrew Langdon and Secretary Prank H. Severance 



226 I^8T GRAND 8ACHBM OF THB IROQUOIS 

of the Historical Sooiely were in charge of the arrange- 
ments, and with them were Dr. Joseph O. Greene, Charles 
J: North, and Dr. J. H. Tilden. The Loyal Legion Com- 
mittee included Qeneral James E. Cortiss, Colonel James N. 
Granger, Colonel C. E. Walbridge, Captain T. H. Fearey, 
Captain E. L. Coe, Maj. L. Marcus and H. H. Marcus 
Among the Seneca Indians were Sachem Chauncey Abrams^ 
William Parker, Minnie C. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 
Poudry and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Doctor, How- 
ard Hatch, David Shanks and wife, Chas. CLoute, B^amin 
Ground, Anderson Charles, Alfred Jemison, David Moses, 
Troman Shanks and Mr. Skeye. The remaius had come 
from Connecticut accompanied by Mrs. Ely S. Parker and 
the faithful Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse. 

Sachem Abrams, interpreted by William Parker, made 
the burial address in behalf of the Senecas. ''The people of 
Do-ne-ho-ga-wa's own race," said Sachem Abrams, address- 
ing President Langdon, ''are grateful for all you have done 
today. It pleases us. We are much gratified to know that 
Do-ne-ho-ga-wa rests among his own people and not in a 
land of strangers. ' ' 

Once more destiny, through the loyalty of military 
friends and the never-ceasing interest of Frank H. Sever- 
ance, and the Buffalo Historical Society, called a large 
company to the grave-side. It was for the purpose of dedi- 
cating the grave marker, given by Reno Post, No. 44, 
G. A. B., of which in life General Parker was a member. 
The ceremony took place on Decoration Day, 1906. 

A final tribute at the grave was paid by Captain Samuel 
H. Beckwith of TMca, an old friend and comrade of General 
Parker. The two had been closely, almost intimately asso- 
ciated during the critical campaigns about Richmond and 
Appomattox. Parker had been Grant's military secretary 
and Beckwith his cipher dispatcher. 



Jf is 



If - 






»> - - \* 









• c J 



LAST GRAND SACHEM OF THE IB0QU0I8 227 

The last prayer was given by Bev. J. ISnnory Fidier, the 
miseEumary at the old Cattaraugus MissioxL Then in accord 
with the rites of the Grand Army of the Republic, Captain 
A. J. Slnith read the memorable address of President 
Lincoln at Gettysburg. When the grave had been banked 
with flowers, Moses Shongo, a Seneca Indian, made an ad- 
dress in his native tongue. In closing his talk he said : 

''Today the floating gfpirits of the unseen are among ua 
Would that they could give expression of appreciation, as 
they all were gifted in speech far more than I. But I will 
endeavor to speak for my people, and to say that we extend 
to you our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the noble 
act you have done for your brothers, the redmen of the 
forests, the men of nature. The quiet undisturbed sur- 
roundings of this spot show that those who have gone before 
although no more seen, are not forgotten." 

Forest Lawn Cemetery is a part of the old Granger 
estate, where the Indians, in the first decades of 1800, came 
to council and to trade. Here Elizabeth had the vision of 
her future son and here she had seen the signs that the 
medicine man interpreted to her. 

''A son shall be bom to you who will be distinguished 
among his nation as a peacemaker; he will be a wise white 
man, but wUl never desert his people, nor lay down his 
sachem's horns as a great chief. His name will reach from 
the east to the west, from the north to the south as great 
among his Indian family and pale-faces. His sun will rise 
on Indian land and set on white-man 's land, yet the ancient 
land of his ancestors will fold him in death." 



APPENDIX 



i ^1 

1 s:s 



APPENDIX 

A VISIT TO THE PARKER HOMESTEAD 
(See Introduet&on, page 6.) 

In collecting the material which has fnmiriied the data for thia 
book, not a single paper or document came from the immediate estate 
of QeaeriX Parker. His library and files mnst have been rich with 
materia] that would have delighted a biographer, bnt so far as we 
know the records that we should have been grateful to have, peririied 
dnring the process of clearing up his estate. The records that we 
have eame mostly from the General's reservation relatives and 
friends, or from official files and published articles. 

Sixkce a small boy I had been interested in the rcmiantie story of 
my Qreat Uncle, and thus I began a collection of notes, papers, dip- 
pings and anecdotes, — ^in fact anything I could find relating to him. 
For twenty years this process went on until in 1912 it oocnrred to me 
that the material should be brought together in the form of a biog- 
raphy. Accordingly I again visited both the Oattaraogus and tiie 
Tonawanda reservations seeking new material. At Cattaraugus I 
found numerous letters and papers, some of them just thrown out into 
a woodshed, from whence I rescued them. It was at the Tonawanda 
homestead, however, that the best material was found. 

Through the sympathetic interest of Laura Parker Doctor, the 
daughter of Levi Parker, I was able to find in the files of the Gkmeral 
himself, left in the homestead in the days before the Oivil War, many 
papers of exceptional value. Several visits were made and many 
interviews followed. Mrs. Doctor cheerfully turned over the material 
and, with her brother Frank, aided in many other ways. 

Mrs. Doctor is the daughter of the late Levi Parker, the brother 
of Ely. Upon the death of General Parker she became the owner of 
the reservation homestead, though the General had anticipated the 
bestowal of this pr(^>erty upon his sister Caroline. She, howaveri 
di€>d before he did, and thus the land and buildings passed to the 
favorite niece, who had long been a faithful helper in every emer- 
gency. Long ago she had married Chief Jacob Doctor. It was an 
advantageous alliance, for she, too, was an influential woman in the 
tribe, being the holder of the right of nominating the successor to 
the title of Ga-nio-dai-u or Handsome Lake. This she gave to her 
brother Otto who served as Sachem of the League until his death in 
1914. She still preserves the strands of wampum that have been used 

231 



232 APPENDIX 

itwn time immemoml in eonfirming the right of nominatioB. The 
house in which she now lives ie the home into which Willinm Parker 
and hie family moved after the land acroae the creek paesed into the 
hands of the whites. It has been fixed over In a modem manner 
which outwardly conceals its age. 

The farm is situated against the reservation line and contains 
some of the best land on the reservation. It edges the creek on one 
side, contains a wood lot, fine pasturage, a pond and a good orchard. 
The interior is well furnished, as country homes go, and the parlor 
and the sitting-room furniture, of walnut and mahogany, has been 
kept with great care. In the book-case are the books once belonging 
to Ely and Nicholson, truly a splendid collection of the scientific, 
historioal and periodical literature of the period before the Civil War. 
Mrs. Doetor has preserved the home, the books and the relics with a 
conscientious regard that is most commendable. 

In this home she has instructed her nieces and nephews in the 
lore and the responsibilities of the family. Here she has sheltered 
many an orphan and homeless boy and girl and sent them forth with 
a new grip on life and its problems. Her husband was equally gen- 
erous. To her many duties as home keeper she added that of weaver, 
dairy owner and poultry keeper. For many years she wove rag 
carpets and rugs with such matchless skill that she had little compe- 
tition, — and indeed, little spare time. To her niece Ourie, or 
''Dollie" as she is affectionately caUed, she owes many comforts and 
from her she has received many months of help in her multifold 
duties. 

Always an ardent church worker, she has been the church treas- 
urer for many years and it was ever the delight of Carrie and Maisa 
to sit with her in the big church, and to hear "Uncle Otto," preach 
in the Seneca tongue. Now that Jacob, her husband, lies in the 
churchyard with the dust of his fathers, she runs the farm herself, 
though her three score and thirteen years weigh heavily upon her 
work-worn shoulders. Still she is a tribal authority and widely known 
for her good sense and her honesty. 

While sitting around the fire one winter day, I asked her to tell 
of her early recollections, — recollections of the grandmother days. 
Though she was busy preparing her maple sap she consented. 

''I suppose you know that my Indian name means 'Follower of 
the sun,' " said she. "I hope always to follow the sun, — that is, the 
true light that everyone should follow. But you say yon want to 
know about the grandmother days. I can tell you some things but 
not all, for I have been a very bu^ woman and thought more about 
my work than about history. Still I think I can tell you something. 



APPENDIX 233 

<<tMy grandmother was a member of the Wolf Clan and so my 
father. Uncle Elj and their brothers and sister Oarrie were Wolves. 
How well I remember my kind grandmother! She was the bosieBt 
woman I ever knew and never was quiet during the time she was 
awake. I often looked at her beeaose I thought her very beautiful, 
very good and a lesson to me in industry. 

**When Otto and I were very small. Grandmother used to take 
us with her when she cared for her sugar bush. She would put both 
of us in a great pack-basket and carry us on her back for many a 
mile over the rough country to the places that she visited. Some 
times when she was tired she would allow me to run along by her side, 
but she was very strong and though Otto and I were five and, seven 
years old we did not seem a burden for her back. . 

* * She had four sugar bushes, three of them her own. She titp^ed 
three hundred trees in each bush and could do the tapping very -fast. 
She could tap all the trees before you could fix one right, so swiftly 
did she work. In each bush she had a bark cabin that my grand- 
father William had erected. These cabins were just like the ones 
lived in in old times and had platform beds all the way around ^nd 
above. The fire was in the center on the ground and the smoke w«it 
up through a great opening in the roof. Oh, it was very nice and we 
liked the time when sugar was made because of the great fun we had 
then. I wish these times were back again, because I think the world 
was better then; certainly the Indians were better off for they were 
more industrious and better off. The door of our cabin was often 
nothing more than a deer skin or a buifalo robe but we kept quite 
warm. 

' ' Grandmother boiled her sap in big kettles and made sugar and 
not syrup. When afterward we wanted syrup we would melt the 
sugar with a little water. The sap tubes were made of wood but 
sometimes Grandmother would gash the trees with an axe. Her 
eoUecting vessels were bark or log tubs and she had a great many of 
them that she kept piled up in her sap-houses. I liked the smell of 
the woods, and the smoke in the cabins was fragrant. 

"At night we rolled up in fur robes and slept warm and very 
sound. We were not afraid because Grandmother had an az and was 
a very good shot with either a gun or a bow. She always had both 
with her, and would shoot rabbits, coons, big birds and other game 
as weU as any man. We got up early and Grandmother was always 
attending to her sap. Those were very happy days and It seems to 
me I never had anjrthing to worry about. 






% 



234 APPENDIX 



( ( 



Now I want to tell you about her house aicroM the Tonawanda 

creek near Indian Palla, or Tonawanda Falla^ as th^ ealled it then. 

The house was a large log building with an ' 'eU" used for storage 

\ or as a spare bedroom. The cabin was more than 20 by iO feet and 

\ the lower floor consisted of one great room. It had a very large 

^ fireplace in which logs were burned. We had no furniture eieept 

\^ benches and there were plenty of these. Our dishes were of bark and 

\woody our forks were awls of wood and bone, our spoons were carred 

oiju" of wood dyed red in hemlock root dye. Our wooden bowls were 

yery handsome and some were carved from knots or knarls. When 

we atel two benches were put together and the bark or wood bowls of - 

meat, ^H>ap> oom-hcmiiny and boiled bread were put on the benches. 

Our tebledothy when we had any, consisted of sheets of bark, smooth 

side up. They were easily cleaned. Some members of the family 

had «heir own bowls, but the children had one large bowl out of 

which all ate, dipping in with their wooden spoons. Some were very 

nice spoons with carved birds and ajiimals on the top of the handles. 

Grandmother always kept a large kettle of food warm by the fire and 

everyone who came into the house receiyed a bowl of food. We had 

ma;py visitors, — sometimes twenty. I do not know how she cared for 

thetn alL A great many Indians and some white men came to see my 

grandfather, William. He was a pine tree chief, and a sort of man 

who gave advice on laws and customs. Uncle Sam was a real chief 

and sat in the Coumsil. IBdiany a night the men sat up until two or 

three o'clock in the morning talking. Then th^ took blankets and 

rolled up on the floor oy the Hie and slept until Grandmother arose 

to pound the com meal for the breakfast porridge. She had some 

help but insisted on doing most of the work herself. 

''She slept up-stairs, and there was room for a great many peo- 
ple there. In the garret we had the com stored and there was a 
great deal of it, because we had so many visitors. Evexybody, it 
seems, wanted to stay at our house, and so our h(Hne became a gen- 
eral source of news and a place of meeting. Ko one ever thought 
of paying for food or for lodging and such was not expected. 

"Grandfather had a saw mill and ten or twelve horses. He 
worked a great deal and sold many logs and much lumber. He 
hunted some down the Allegheny, but mostly we raised our own beef 
and pigs. I think he had to work hard to sapp<Mrt his large family 
and provide for so many visitors. 

"Grandmother made baskets. She made a great many of them 
and would take a wagon and team and sell them to the stores in the 



APPENDIX 236 

naighboxing towns and villages. She made aU kinds of farm bas- 
ketBy household baskets and fancy baskets. Qnoe I made some little 
baskets and when I went with her on a trip I sold them for three 
cents each. But, Qrandmother could make the real Indian baskets 
too. Some were of com husk and were thought yaluable by the 
Indians. She could make burden straps or tump-lines of slippery elm 
and basswood bark fiber. She made very fine bead-work too and 
Aunt Carrie learned from her. 

''My Ghrandmother always dressed in the old-time eostume, until 
after awhile she had white folks' dresses. Her older doihing con- 
sisted of a beaded broadcloth skirt, an overdress covered with 
brooches, leggins and moccasins, but after awhile she had shoes. It 
was a long time until she had a hat. Her head covering was a small 
shawl made of a sort of wool bunting with a ribboned edge bordered 
with white beads. It was very pretty and I think I like sueh a 
head-throw now because my Grandmother did. 

''Ely, Nick and Oarrie were away at school a good deal but 
when th^ came back they used to play with us children and give us 
things. 

''We always talked Seneca in those days and heard little En^^ish. 
Long before any of my uncles went to school we used to go to the 
church where the Baptist misaionairies came to prtech. This always 
had to have interpreters. Now this will interest you because yon are 
writing the book about Uncle Ely: 

"One Sunday the missionary preacher found that there was no 
interpreter. He looked everywhere to find one and after awhile he 
asked Grandfather if his boy could talk English and Grandfather 
said, 'Tes, a little.' So Ely was called, and he was then twelve 
years old. He was put on the pulpit stand and interpreted the ser- 
mon. Soon it was seen that he was speaking slower and still more 
slowly. By and bye he shut his eyes and then he fell in a faint. 
The effort was too much, and it was his first attempt to speak in 
public, and he didn't know much English. Maybe the sermon was 
too hard for him to explain, I do not know. After that he went 
away to Oanada and after a time came back and went to the Miflsion 
school where he learned English more perfectly. 

"When Ely grew older all the people hoped much for him and 
used to put on his shoulders important tasks. He had access to his 
father's papers and treaties and learned a great deal about the old 
customs. He always went to the councils and made notes which he 
kept. We had boxes of papers which he kept. Some are the papers 
I have given you for the story of his life. 



/ 



236 APPENDIX 

"After awhile the whites bought up our land aeroBS the creek 
and we had to move oyer on this side. Grandfather built a new nouse 
which became old after the years went by and then Ely had it fixed 
up with clapboards and shingles. We were always afraid that we 
would lose our land and the people have always been worried. We 
thought soldiers would come and drive us off. This idea 00 preyed 
upon my mind that just a few years before the OLvil War as I was 
crossing a stump lot I looked up, and there was a soldier with a gun. 
He looked at me and I stood for a moment looking at him. I thought 
our time had come, and then I ran to the road and told a company 
of women and a man what I had seen. Th^ just petted me and 
/ said, 'We guess not.' We went through the lot later and there was 

no soldier there. I do not know now whether I just imagined it or 
not. 

''There were always being held councils at which Grandfather 
and Ely attended. Sometime about 1852 there was a great Condoling 
Gouncil at which Ely was raised to the dignity of Saehem, with the 
name Do-ne-ho-ga-wa. This clipping fnmi the Buffalo Courier tdls 
of this event." And Mrs. Doctor gave me the following which may 
be preserved here: 

INDIAN COUNCIL OP THE SIX NATIONS 

A Grand Council of the Confederacy of the Six Nations, to wit: 
The Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Seneeas and Tuscaroras, 
was held at Tonawanda Friday last, for the purpose of celebrating 
the funeral rites of their Last Grand Sachem, John Blacksmith, de- 
ceased, and electing a Grand Sachem in his place, electing chiefs, etc. 

After the council fire was kindled* the Oneidas, Cayugas and 
Tuscaroras advanced in double file, as chief mourners, the leaders 
singing the death song. After performing some ceremonies the whole 
band moved to the CouncU ground, where all the old rules and customs 
of the Confederacy were repeated in song. This occupied a long 
time, — after which the chiefs previously selected were installed, and 
instructed in their duties. 

Ely S. Parker, (Do-ne-ho-ga-wa), was proclaimed Grand Sachem 
of the Six Nations. The Spei^Ler invested him with the silyer medal 
presented by Washington to Bed Jacket, and worn by him until his 
death. (Mr. Parker, now in official dignity and honor at the head of 
the Six Nations, is an educated man of fine talents and exemplary 
habits, and is one of the Assistant State En^neers). 

Spencer C. Parker, brother of the Grand Sachem, together with 
eight others, were installed as war chiefs, to fill v acancies occasioned 
by death; and the whole proceedings were conducted with great har- 
mony and good feeling. 

"After this council Uncle Ely was looked upon as the man who 

must save his people from the hands of the land stealers, as we called 



APPENDIX 237 

them, who were trying to move ub west and take the reservation. 
After a time Ely got the Indians to organise better and secured their 
lands to them, and had the State pass laws guarding their interests. 
Ely had many great friends among the whites and knew Henry 
Sehoolcraft and Lewis H. Morgan. 

' ' I must tell you about Mr. Morgan. I did not see him much 
because my father Levi had his own home and I was a small girl, but 
I heard that Mr. Morgan used to come to talk over old times so that 
he could write a book about the Seneeas. He told the old folks a 
good many things, and helped them in many waya. He gave my 
grandmother her first set of dishes* and knives and forks. We never 
had real cups or plates before but only wood and bark dishes and 
carved wood pitchers. When we had these gifts my grandfather 
made chairs and a table. I have that first table here in the house 
now. 

''After awhile we heard that Uncle Ely had eome back from 
the West to go to war, but he tried and they did not take him. After 
awhile th^ sent for him and he got ready to go. I was there and 
saw him on a fine black horse. He went to council and the people 
talked with him and asked him to stay with them, for who would be 
their friend if he should be killed, but he said be was determined to 
go and thought he would eome back all right. A Batavia paper 
printed this account: 

MEETING OF THE SENECA INDIANS 

Last week a meeting of some six hundred Indians was held at 
the Council House on the Tonawanda Beservation to bid adieu to Ely 
8. Parker, their much respected and beloved chief, who has accepted 
a position in the U. S. Army. Mr. Parker goes as Assistant Adjutant 
General on General Smith's staff, in Grant's army, now before Vicks- 
burg, for which position we know of none more fitted, being an experi- 
enced civil engineer, and having heretofore filled responsible situa- 
tions under the Government in that capacity. 

"After the war we did not see him much because he was very 

busy in Washington and in New York. His mother died during the 
war and old William soon after. I have this clipping for you, saved 
in an old pocket-book. It tells of Grandfather's death and the kind 
of man he was. 

DEATH OF A VENERABLE SENECA CHIEF 

The venerable and well known Indian chief, William Parker, 
died recently on the Tonawanda reservation in Genesee County. 

He was the father of Captain Ely S. Parker, one of General 
Grant's aides, of Nicholson H. Parker, U. S. Interpreter, and of 
Newton Parker. Miss Caroline Parker, an estimable Indian lady, 



238 APPENDIX 

and a graduate of the State Normal School, is, we beUeye, his only 
daughter. Mr. Parker was on the war-path as scout in the War of 
1812* and was disabled by a severe musket wound in the wrist at the 
sortie of Fort Erie. For his services and wounds he has for many 
years received an invalid pension from the United States Government. 
His wife is the niece of the celebrated Bed Jacket. 

William Parker was a man of commanding size, and of a noble 
and dignified presence. He possessed much g<Md sense and discrimi- 
nation and was noted for incorruptible honesty. He was a true man 
and a faithful friend and advisor of his race, and was an associate 
and compeer of those other honest and true chiefs, Jemmy Johnson 
and John Blacksmith. In the long struggles of the Tonawanda band 
against the Ogden Land Company, the modest, calm old Chief Parker, 
was always to be relied upon, and he lived to see his band owners in 
fee of some 8,000 acres of valuable land, and with a large surplus 
invested for their benefit. 

''My Grandfather died in the large room in the house where I 
now live, — ^the dining room being chosen because it was large and 
accessible. He was buried at the side of Grandmother, and between 
her and Uncle Samuel in the very back of the Baptist Cemetery. 
And, thus, you see how the old people have gone. Our chiefs now 
know little of the struggles of those who spent their lives for the 
Tonawandas. And, as for me, I vnsh the old times were back again 
because we were happy then, very happy. The few things that I 
have that were owned by Uncle Ely, I want the Buffalo Historical 
Society to have; the relics of the old days, like the false face and the 
rattles I wsjit to have placed in Albany, (in the State Museum) 
where Mr. Morgan and Uncle Ely sent their things, and then all can 
be together. When this is done my mind will be relieved of its bur- 
den and I shall have done my duty. ' ' 

THE BOY WHO DARED TO TRAVEL WEST 

A Legend of Grand Island 

As told by Edward Complanter and recorded by A. C. Parker 

(See Chapter II., page 15) 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o lived with his aged grand parents in the depths 
of a great wood. The old people were always sad but Ga-non-dai'-ye-o 
was never able to discover the cause, and inquiry would only bring 
the injunction, ''Never go westi *' The boy obeyed and played hap- 
pily in the forest to the north and the south and the east but shunned 
the dark woods to the west. 

At length Ga-non-dai'-ye-o began to reason upon the matter : 
"Never go west," he said to himself. "Now why may not I 
go westf Is not west as good as easbf Surely I am denied my right 



APPENDIX 239 

and shall no longer submit. I am determined to find why west ia to 
be avoided." 

Thus determined, he cxegt cautiously through the vine-bound 
underbrush and with caution advanced in a westerly direetion. He 
kept on for some time and then, to his surprise, found himself on the 
borders of a large body of swift water. He looked across the broad 
expanse with admiration and wonder. Was this the sight his grand- 
parents wished to deny himf ''Oh, the shameful rule that forbade 
him this! " he thought. While he was gazing at the scene and med- 
itatmg upon it, he heard a sound behind him. A pleasant voice was 
saying: 

"Haih, Haihl Is it not a beautiful stream and wonderful toof 
Did you never see it before f Gome, jump into my canoe and let us 
visit some of the inlets and isles that are found hereabouts. We will 
return in a short time and you will have seen sights worth talking 
about.'' 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o was charmed with the idea, and following the 
stranger stepped into the canoe that lay on the sandy beach of a cove. 
The stranger gave the canoe a shove with his paddle and sent it 
shooting out from the shore. With swift eyen strokes he carried it 
far out from the land. 

''We shall visit a beautiful island," said the stranger. 

A short distance ahead Ga-non-dai'-ye-o saw a small island in 
the centre of which was a dense dump of treea It lay near a very 
large island. Such a charming spot was it that he wondered if it had 
as inhabitants men who were *'oweh*' and not ghosts. Soon the 
canoe grated upon the beach, and both jumping out, the stranger 
drew up the canoe. 

"Now," said he, "look aroond and see what a fine place this ia 
Oh, you will like it,— yon will like it. I dot " 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o walked upon the shore toward a tall plant that 
bore flowers. He stood viewing it for a few moments and then 
turning to follow his guide found thait he had disappeared. He ran 
to the water to find the canoe, but to his dismay found that it too 
bad gone. Glancing up and over the lake he saw far in the distance 
the canoe and the stranger, and then he realised his sdtnation. 

Heavy-hearted he dragged himself half way around the island 
and then walking inland for a few rods sat down dejectedly on a 
fallen tree. Tears filled his eyes and he moaned bitterly, "Wo-dis- 
tait, I am a miserable creature." 

While he thus sat lamenting his fate he heard a loud whisper.. 
"Keehuta, keehutal" 



240 APPENDIX 

Starting up he looked around to diacorer the source of the 
sound, but failing, sank back to his seat with a groan of pure misery. 

Presently he heard the same sound, ''Kechutal" It seemed to 
issue from the ground at his yery feet. This time he was thoroughly 
frightened, and again he looked about to disoover, perchance, who 
the speaker was, but as before he failed and flinging himself upon 
the log began to weep violently. 

''Kechutal" came the sound again and looking down at the 
ground at the end of the log he noticed a white glistening spot. Pok- 
ing away the sod he saw first the hollow eye sockets of a skull and 
then jaws full of white teeth. 

' ' Kechuta ! ' ' said the skull, and the Ga-non-dai'-ye-o knew that 
the thing wished to smoke. ''Dig into the sod by that knot on the 
log and you will find my bag and pipe. ' ' So spoke the man-reduced* 
to-bones. 

Marveling, the boy obeyed and soon pulled out a decayed pipe- 
bag and a tobacco pouch. He packed the pipe-bowl full of tobacco. 
Then picking up a hard round stick, the size of an arrow shaft, he 
twisted it in his bow string, placed a pitted stone on one end and put 
the other end on the log. Pushing his bow backward and forward 
he twirled the stick with great rapidity. Soon a tiny spark ignited 
the wood dust and caught in a blase on the shredded cedar bark. It 
was a laborious task, but Ga-non-dai'-ye-o at length had the pipe in 
smoking order. Leaning over he pried apart the jaws of Jis-ga, as 
he had named the skeleton, and pushed the pipe-stem between its 
teeth. Jis-ga smoked with great diligence and exclaimed, ''Agwus 
wiu, oh how good, how I enjoy it. I've not had a smc^e in a great 
while. Oh, I am glad you came to me! Now let me tell you a story; 
but first, fill my pipe again. There I Now, boy, this is an enchanted 
island. Tou are trapped, the same as I was and the same as many 
more have been. There is a man who lives here. There is a man 
who visits here and there is a man who lures men here. He who lines 
here is Sa-go-we-no-ta, a great sorcerer. He who visits here is 
On-gwe-yas, an evil ogre. Both eat men. They ate me, they ate 
many others, they will eat you, unless you listen closely. Before 
sunrise tomorrow, run to the beach where you landed and bury your- 
self in the sand, leaving one eye and an ear uncovered. Look and 
listen I No one has ever escaped; but you may if you obey me, and 
moreover you may overcome the island's evil spell." 

The boy solemnly promised obedience and after a restless night 
ran to the beach and buried himself in the sand. Soon he heard the 



APPENDIX 241 

sound of singing on the water. The song grew louder and Gannon- 
dai'-ye-o knew that the singer was nearing the beach. He heard the 
sound of the canoe as it shot up against the sand and knew that the 
singer had landed. He listened closely to the song and then hununed 
it softly to himself. The sound of footsteps neared and turning his 
eye he saw a man whose grim visage pronounced him a man of ter- 
rible passion. Ga-non-dai'-ye-o looked as well as he could from his 
hole in the sand and knew that was On-gwe-yas. At the feet of the 
ogre was a pack of dogs who followed him up the incline. 

As On-gwe-yas stepped upon the island Sa-go-wa-no-ta sang fran 
his den in the grove. 

When On-gwe-yas reached the top of the incline he roared| 
''Well, where is my mealf " 

''He can not be found" came the answer. 

"Put your eyes in the bushes. Send the dogs after him/' 
roared On-gwe-yas. 

The search was fruitless and grumbling in rage the man returned 
to his canoe, threw in his dogs, and jumping in, swept his paddle 
through the water and sped back to mainland. 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o jumped from his place of concealment and rush- 
ed to the log where Jis-ga lay. Breathlessly he told what he had seen 
and heard and told how thankful he was that he had escaped being 
eaten. 

"Smoke, — tobacco, — ^I wish to smoke," whispered Jis-ga, 
dustily. So taking an ember from the fire he had started Ga-non- 
dai'-ye-o lit the pipe and shoved it between the teeth of the skull. 
When it had finished smoking it said, 

"I am glad that you have succeeded so well. It is an omen of 
good fortune. Now listen. Make seven dolls from dry rotten wood 
and make a small bow and arrow for each; then, place each doll in 
the top of a tree. Conceal yourself in the sand again. See what 
will happen." 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o did as directed and the next day when On-gwe- 
yas landed he grumbled loudly and vowed he would find the boy, for 
he was very hungry. He strode up the beach and his dogs with noses 
dose to the ground followed the track of Ga-non-dal'-ye-o as it ciitded 
the isle. Suddenly one dog with a yelp fell, pierced with an arrow 
On-gwe-yas yelled in rage, and his rage increased as one after another 
fell dead. Snatching up the body of each he threw it upon his shoul- 
der and going back, fiung it into his canoe, and then paddled back 
across the lake. 



242 APPENDIX 

Leaping from the sand Qa-non-dai'-ye-o ran back to Jia-ga and 
related hia obseryationa. 

After Jis-ga bad been satisfied with tobaeeo he said to Ga-non- 
dai'-ye-o, ' ' Now, I will tell you more. On-fwe-yaS| always fearing 
death, leaves his heart in his lodge. It hangs suspended over a pot 
of water, likewise the hearts of the dogs. When he retains he wiD 
place the dogs' hearts back within their chests and as th^ beat the 
dogs will revive. He will then remove them and return to the island 
on the morrow to renew his search for yon. Now listen closely. Bury 
yourself in the sand as before and as On-gwe-yas approches the shore 
sing the Sa-go-we-no^ song. On-gwe-yas will then rush up the shore, 
the dolls will shoot again and, while On-gwe-yas is obscured in the 
bushes, jump into his canoe, go directly across the water, and when 
you touch the shore you will find a path that leads to a lodge. Enter 
the lodge and destroy the hearts you find there. Then you may 
return to me. ' ' 

The next morning Ga-non-dai'-ye-o covered himself with sand 
and when he heard the song of On-gwe-yas floating over the water he 
shouted back another song in defiance. 

On-gwe-yas stopped short in his song and listened. Then he 
shouted back. 

*'Ho-vo-ho! So you have him. So, 111 be there!" 

From a mound in the center of the island came a voice in plead- 
ing tones. It cried: ''No, no! I did not call you. J>o not come. 
Oh, do not!" 

''Oh, no," came the mocking reply. "You can not cheat me. 
You have found him and wish to eat him alone. ' ' 

Landing, On-gwe-yas ran toward the mound. Ga-non-dai'-ye-o 
jumped into the boat and with his swiftest, strongest strokes sent it 
gliding out over the river. Leaping to the shore he ran up a path 
and burst through the curtain into a lodge. A young girl was refin- 
ing bear oil by boiling it in a kettle. Without stopping to greet her, 
Ga-non-dai'-ye-o cried: 

' ' Give me his heart ! ' ' 

' ' No, no, do not touch it. It is his, it is his 1 ", remonstrated the 
girl in terror. 

There was the sound of footsteps outside. On-gwe-yas had fol- 
lowed in some mysterious manner and was now at the door. Spring- 
ing toward the back of the lodge, Ga-non-dai'-ye-o grasped a large 
beaiting heart. On-gwe-yas was pushing aside the curtain and now 
snarled in terrible rage as he saw the boy who should have been his 
victim holding his heart With marvelous swiftness Ga-non-dai'-ye-o 



I 



I 



I 



I 



I 



I 



APPENDIX 243 

flung the heart into the pot of boiling fa^ The ogre tottered; his 
dogs began to yelp up the trail and as Qa-non-dai'-ye-o glanced 
through the door between the curtain at the swaying body of On-gwe- 
yas, he saw their dripping bodies, red eyes and froth-laden fangs, a4 
they leaped toward their master. On-gwe-yas trembled, and feU 
Ga-non-dai'-ye-o swept the seven dogs' hearts into the scalding liquid 
only a moment before the ogre crashed his head into the fire, breaking 
the pot of oil and spilling out the hearts. On-gwe-yas was dead, and 
seven dogs lay before the door. 

The girl who during this terrible scene had cringed in one comer, 
now rushed toward Ga-non-dai'-ye-o with a glad cry. 

''Oh, my brother I" she cried. ''You have rescued me. I am 
your sister who was captured. On-gwe-yas kept me as his slave. Oh, 
my brother, you have saved our family!'' 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o hardly knew what to make of these words, but 
looking down at the girl saw in her his lost sister, — ^lost years ago. 
He rejoiced with her and then running back to the shore paddled 
swiftly to the Isle of Fears. Gk>ing up to the log he appeased his 
friend Jis-ga with tobacco and told his story. 

' ' Now, ' ' said Jis-ga ' ' you have done -welL Tou can be of great 
service to me if you win obey a few more instructions; for instance, 
shoot that fat bear over there and place her pelt over this little mound 
where I am. Scold that stump and make it move away, so that you 
may cover the mound entirely. Then smoke!" 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o was startled as he looked up and beheld an 
enormously fat bear asleep, not ten steps frcHu him. Fixing an arrow 
he shot and killed the beast and removed its hide. Walking up to 
the stump, he shouted: 

"What is the matter with youf Get out of my way or I will 
smash you. Go on now." With the help of a kick the stump 
jumped backward into a clump of bushes. Placing the skin over the 
mound Ga-non-dai'-ye-o built a little fire and began to throw on 
tobacco. 

The sun was hot and the oU fairly dripped from the skin into 
the ground. 

Ga-non-dai'-ye-o became impatient "What is the trouble with 
you, Jis-ga f" he called — ^Move lively. You are lazy. Hurry or I 
will leave! I can not wait all day! Hurry or I will go!" 

There was a slight movement beneath the bear sl^ 

"Hurry now," continued the boy, "or I will pull off the skin," 
and, stooping down he gave it a fling. As he did so from the ground 
arose a company of men. All were quarreling. 



344 APPENDIX 



(f 



Tou have mj legi — mj fingers I You haye mj hands! Ton 
haye my feet! My rib»— my neek, — where is my back bonef Three 
ribs missing — oh, — some one has my whole body — didn 't have time- 
made us hurry — ^too quiek — short notice! Sueh were the mingled 
cries from the strange swaim. 

Before Ga-non-dai'-ye-o was as queer a company of distorted men 
as the sun has ever seen. Some had one long leg and one short one, 
some were humpbacked, some were small-bodied and large-limbedi 
some had heads on backward, some had no necks, some were double 
the wonted length; and soon eaeh man was a sight to behold. All 
were angry; and fighting, disappeared into the forest, all but one. It 
was Jis-ga. He stepped forward and took Qa-non-dai'*ye-o by the 
hand and said, 

< < I am your brother, let us go home. ' ' 

Hastening to the shore the two seated themselyes in the canoe 
and paddled back to the lodge on the opposite bank. A meal awaited 
them and after eating it the boys built a great fire and burned the 
OTil lodge. 

That night the three slept in the <^[»en. The next morning 
the brothers and their sister tramped through the forest to the lodge 
of their grandparents and found the old people mourning over the loss 
of Qa-non-dai'-ye-o. 

The old folk were exuberant with joy when they found that not 
only was Ga-non-dai'-ye-o well and alive, but also their other grand- 
children. 

The boys built a large lodge and made the days of the old people 
easy with soft beds, much meat and pleasant company. 

Then the grandparents said, "We are old and wise, but now we 
know that which we did not before: It is evil to forbid a boy of 
resource to do or to go without a reason." 

So here it ends, this ga-gah, this ancient story. 

HANDSOME LAKE THE PEACE PROPHETi 

(See Chapter II., page 18.) 

One centwry and eighty-two years have passed smee the birth of 
the Peace Prophet. In the wilderness village of Ganawagus on the 
flat lands of the Genesee this prophet was bora, but the people of his 
time viewed "the tiny unpromising babe not as a possible prophet but 



1. Being a portion of the addreai deU^ered by ▲. C Parker at the imveillnc 
of Han^H^OTTM' Lake'i monument, at Caledonia, 191S. 



APPENDIX 245 

as a hopeleis candidate for the highest sachemship the Seneca nation 
could confer upon one of its kinsmen. The child had been bom into 
one of the noble families, the Hoyaneh of the Nation of the Great 
Hill. His brothers and cousins were also potential candidates for the 
future honoTy and of all this babe was the most likely to be rejected, 
for he was puny and sii^y. The Turtle clan took pity on him as he 
became a youth, and with his half brother, the Turtles took him from 
his Wolf Clan relatives and gave him food and training. They hung 
about his neck a strand of wampum and said, ''£k> long as our arms 
are about you, you shall be as a tree in our midst and may not be 
uprooted; your blood is that of the CLan of the Wolves^ but your 
heart shall now be the heart of the Turtles, for they love you." 

Years passed by, — ^years of which the recorders of tradition have 
left no writing, and then as if to rebuke the scoffers who predicted 
feebleness of character, this youth, now grown to manhood, has be- 
come the idol of the Clan of Wolves. The women speak of him in 
their bark cabins or while in the fields. They say he is their friend 
and protector. The children love him for he tells them stories of the 
flowers and birds; his pouch is filled with nuts and maple sugar, — ^he 
is kind to children. Yet this young man is very melancholy and 
seems always to be mourning. He looks to the east and shakes his 
head; the wagon trains of the settlers marching over the Buffalo 
trail fill him with gloom. 

Then as if to bring him good cheer, a fair maiden begs her 
mother to make a marriage proposal to the melancholy young man 
in her behalf. No bashful suitor was the maiden who was so uncon- 
scious a believer in the modem school of eugenics. She chose her 
mate-man, but cumbersome etiquette required that the prospective 
mother-in-law make the proposaL After munching the enormous 
boiled biscuits of the candidate-mother-in-law, the lover meditated 
upon the quality of food he had received, thought over the temper 
and character of the maiden, consulted his mother and asked her to 
convey the message of acceptance. Thus in time, the moody hunter 
was married. The clans rejoiced and (we may conjecture) many 
a maiden repaired in silence to the forest to weep out her heart. He 
had defended them and befriended them through sheer courtesy, and 
he loved them, not for mates but merely as women of the nation. But 
such was fate, — ^there were other and even more handsome men to 
ask I No more would they husk corn with this newly married strip- 
ling and coyly present him with a red ear and demand the forfeit. 

The young man after his marriage became even more popular 
with his people, and upon the death of one of their great sachsnui. 



246 APPENDIX 

indeed the greatest, the women of the noble familiee of the Wolf 
clan called upon the adopted Turtle and tdd him he was their ehoioe. 
Then they went to the National Oouncil and at tiie ceremony of con- 
dolence placed their nomination before the eachems. The men, no 
doubt, were astonished, for their candidate was a young man of the 
Hoyaneh Wolves who was mighty of muscle and skilled in the chase. 
But since the women held the sole power of nomination and would not 
nominate the man of mighty muscle, Wolf elanmnan though he be, 
there was but one course to follow. The thin young man was elected 
to the higheM; civil offtce in the gift of the populous Nation of the 
Qreat Hill. He was given the name-title Ga-nio-dal'yu or Skana- 
dario, translated Handsome Lake. The people hailed him as their 
wisest councillor, but though he was wise in plans for calling other 
men to action, he was still moody and his bride failed to bring him 
tlie cheer that she had hoped. 

The white men came in increasing numbers. Their settlements 
were everywhere, and with the wilting of the forests, farms and 
pastures became verdant. 

The Senecas began their westward retreat. The broken nation 
that was left by the army of General Sullivan was an unhappy nation 
and even all the assurances of President Washington or of General 
Dearborn or of Colonel Timothy Pickering failed to make them feel 
secure. In the setting of every sun they saw the symbol of their 
national decadence. The i^ymbol was reflected in the eyes of Hand- 
some Lake, who had been a silent party to the signing of the Treaty 
of Oanandaigua in 1794. Foolishly he had accepted the trader's 
rum, hoping to forget his sorrows. His wife had died and more rum 
was required; HandscHue Lake renewed his mourning. Her death 
was a heavy blow. Then one of his two daughters died and Hand- 
some Lake laid her away in the gravelly hillock at Oanawagus. He 
drank more until he could not live, it seemed, without the fiery liquor. 
As a sachem and councillor he was failing. He was becoming an 
outcast; he might lose his title and awaken to disgrace. Leaving 
the Genesee country he moved to the banks of the Allegany and 
took up his abode in a solitary cabin of bark. The Indians were 
debauched with the brandy and rum from the Pittsburgh traders. All 
was anarchy; the old religion was failingi the old government of 
the Iroquois League was crumbling; there was a riot of superstition. 
The bleared eyes of the drunkard could not fail to see the misery 
of his people. He mourned again and sought consolation in the con- 
tents of the black bottles that the trader gave for beaver pelts. Then 
he became an invalid. Long tedious days he laid in his lonely cabin, 



APPENDIX 247 

huLgry, thirstj; — sick unto death. The wild whoops of the earout- 
mg lumbennen reached his ears and now and then a bullet, widely 
fired, would whistle through his doorway, now hanging by one raw- 
hide hinge. At length his daughter came and offered to care for 
him daily. Her heart was touched with pity for her father whom 
as a child ^e remembered bo tender and thoughtful. Sometimes he 
conversed with her telling her what he thought of the things he saw. 
The sunlight streaming down the smoke hole caused him to think of 
what sunlight meant and of the maker of the sun and its light and 
warmth. The stars and the moon gave him food for reflection; the 
gusts of wind, the odor of the flowers, the songs of the birds, all 
gave him messages of wisdom and of comfort. Even his pain-racked 
body, shrunken and weak, responded to the questioning mind of the 
invalid and taught him philosophy. Each day, he tells us in his 
book of revelationsi he hoped that the dawning wisdom and faith 
would restore him, for his mind was exhilarated by the inspiration 
of clean, sober thinking. Then, one morning, as the daughter was 
singing at her task of shelling beans for her husband to plant, Hand- 
some Lake, the sachem, upon his hard couch in the cabin, dropped 
into a swoon and his spirit slipped away for a long journey to the 
sky-world. With his last feeble gasp his daughter and her husband 
heard him reply as if answering a summons, **Niyuh," meaning, 
"So be it." Just before this they had heard him rise from his 
bed and totter to the door. They rushed from the shed were th^ 
were working together and heard him murmuring as he staggered 
to the door-post. They caught him as he fell, and carried him back 
to his bed. 

Apparently Handsome Lake was dead. The great Governor 
Blacksnake, (Awl Breaker) and Oomplanter were called and both 
bowed their heads. The sachem, they said, was dead. With loving 
care -the daughter dressed him for burial, and the insignia of hia 
sachemship was laid upon his breast ready to be placed about the 
neck of his successor. Then the mourners filled the cabin; group 
by group they came as the news spread. Th^ looked at the shrunken 
form and it was said, ''He is but a shriveled yeUow skin and all his 
bones are dry." Four years of sickness has terminated in death, 
but the Awl Breaker would not believe that the sachem was passed 
away. His hands continually moved over the chest and limbs of the 
prostrate sachem as if feeling for one, only one feeble pulse-beat. 



1. "The Code of Handiome Lake." recorded by A. C. Parker. BuUetia 168» 
N. Y. State VuMom. 



248 APPENDIX 

After thus BemvJiing for a sign of life Aid Breaker arose and 
exelaimed, ''Hold back your grief, my friends and relatiTOe. I have 
a eore belief that Handsome Lake yet lives." Silently Gomplanter, 
the leading chief of the AUagany Senecas, approached his half- 
brother and placed his hand over his heart. There was a warm spot 
there, and he knew that indeed his sachem lived. The noon came 
and in faith the watchers contumed to await some farther sign of 
vitality. The noon hour came and the morning dew had dried. The 
cool evening approached and then, quietly the quick inhalation of 
a breath was heard, and then the ^es of Handsome Lake opened 
and slowly gazed at the throng. 

The Awl Breaker addressed the sachem: "My brother, are 
you now recovered!" he asked quietly. 

In a dear low voice the mourners heard the reply, ' ' I have faith 
that I have been restored." 

When he had thus satisfied the fears and solicitude of his friends 
he spoke again: "Never have I seen such wondrous visions," he said. 
< ' Three shining messengers and a fourth I could not see, have deliy- 
ered to me a mission that I must perform for the benefit of our 
nation. ' ' 

A council was called in the morning of the next day and all were 
asked to drink the sweet juice of the wild strawberry as a ceremonial 
invocation for bodily health. Then the risen sica man, whose eyes 
now burned with a strange fire, told of the "four words" he had 
been called to condemn for the salvation of the race. The "four 
words" were the names of the besetting sins of the demoralised 
Iroquois, — Onega, the use of liquor; Outgant, the practice of witch- 
craft; Onoityeyende, the practice of secretly poisoning enemies; and. 
Yondtnniyas away as, the practice of birth-control. More than this, 
he explained the necessity of a renewed love of one's fellow men, of 
the responsibility for another's welfare, of the love and care of 
children, of the sacredness of the rites of hospitality, of chaste, clean 
lives, of listening to the silent voices that called men to do good, — 
constructive good, and of the value of peace and industry. 

Handsome Lake spoke to a disheartened people who had suffered 
defeat, fraud and the humiliation of national weakness. The gloom 
of these things had darkened the minds of the nation and a dispair- 
ing people had sought forgetfulness in debauchery. Poverty and 
misery had come, and the mighty Senecas, broken and besotted, bled 
out their hearts. 

A victim of such conditions, Handsome Lake the sachem stalked 
from the gloom as a prophet holding up as a beacon light of hope 
his divine message, the Gaiwiyu. He became a commanding figure. 



APPENDIX 249 

in spite of his eonstitntional timidity. Qe created a new fljstem and 
gave his people something to think about, to talk about and finally 
a eode of ethics which thej were to live. His message, whether false 
or true from modem ways of thinking, was a creation of their own 
and afforded a thought nucleus about which they eould cluster them- 
selves and fasten their hopes. He claimed to be only a speaker, a 
prodaimer of the will of the Creator, — ^he made no pretense as a 
Messiah, and indeed, never called himself a prophet, though he was 
one in every sense of the word. 

A revolution was created in the religious life of the people. At 
first his followers were few and his popularity as a sachem did not 
bring popularity as a prophet. He was despised, ridiculed and sub- 
jected to bodily insult and injury. Yet he persisted, overcoming the 
calumny of Bed Jacket and the dif&culties put in his path by his 
half-brother, Oomplanter. Within ten years a drunken nation had 
become sober, and not only the Seneca, but the Cayuga and the 
Onondaga nations had listened and cast aside the destroying drink. 
The message of Handsome Lake had become potent. Wars must 
cease, he said, and his emissaries held back the participation of his 
people in the wars of the western Indians, calling them from the 
ranks of Pontiae, of Tecumseh and of Little Turtie, The Miami. Men 
were to live in peaceful relationship, to be industrious and humble. 
The pride .of the over-prosperous must cease, the poor and the incom- 
petent were to be helped to help themselves, superstitions were to 
give way to the code laid down by the Heavenly Messengers. 

So successful was Handsome Lake that the Quaker missionaries 
of 1804 have left the testimony that not one of the followers of 
Handsome Lake was a user of fire-water; and indeed, the whole nation 
refused to touch it. 

Persecution at Allegany caused the Prophet and his followers 
to remove to Tonawanda in about 1810 or 1812. With him went his 
grandson Sos-he-o-wa who later became his successor. (In passing 
it may be well to record that Sos-he-o-wa was the grandfather of 
General Ely S. Parker, known to his own people as Donehogawa, 
the Eleeper of the Western Door.) At Tonawanda the call came 
from the divine messengers urging him to go to the land of the Onon- 
dagas. It was the ''third call," and required a parting song. Hand- 
some Lake then remembered that the spirits had told him he would 
sing three songs, and the third would precede his death. Nevertheless 
he began his journey. He was prematurely old and the efforts at 
reform that he had made had drained heavily upon his nervous energy. 
As he took up the march overland with his faithful bodyguard he 
knew that the end was near. He feared that in his prophecy he 



260 APPENDIX 

had not given due prominence to the fourth and hidden meeeenger 
of the Creator, the man who appeared in the akj world and showed 
to him a pierced side and feet and hands pierced with naila. That 
thought tormented him. He reached Onondaga only to sink to the 
ground in melanch<^y. The young men stroTe to cheer him and 
arouse his spirits by a dashing game of laerossCi but he arose and 
said, ''The path has appeared before me, I see my joum^ is to 
eonmienoei I shall make ready to go to the land of the Creator, for 
whom I have been a spokesman." 

Only a few witnessed his death agony, and these pledged them- 
selves to secrecy. An Onondaga hidden in the cabin saw the death 
unobserved by others and has left the tradition that Handsome Lake 
cried out in anguish, "I have delivered the message, there were 
things I should have told but I feared to telL Gk>od came from all 
I said, but greater good might have come if I had dared to preach 
aU I was commanded. ' ' And then the spirit of the sachem and of the 
prophet slipped away. His spirit be^^ its journey over the sky* 
trail Four days later a shrunken body was laid away beneath the 
floor of the council house, the capitol building of the Six Nations ' 
League. There were impressive ceremonies and the disciples of the 
New Beligion were in full control of the national religion of the 
League of the Iroquois. Hardly a single follower of the ancient 
way remained,-— all were either Christians or Ghuiiodaiyuans. 

In fifteen years this man, risen as if from the dead, had trans- 
formed the religious and intellectual life of a nation. For a man 
who until he was 65 years of age had been a drunkard, a failure 
and a dying invalid, to arise after being bedridden for four years 
and walk forth as the spirtual preceptor of his race, is a remarkable, 
even a startling thing. Yet he did so, living soberly until the day 
when at four score years of age he was called to the happy realm 
of the Oreat Manitou to give account of his mission. 

The sages of the people called together the wise elders and dis- 
cussed the doctrines of Handsome Lake and chosen priests were 
caused to memorize all the messages of his Gai-wi-yu so that it might 
be preached to all the members of the Six Nations, even as the 
Prophet had preached. Then the wise men wrote a new stanza to 
the national thanksgiving hymn known as the Go-ne-o-wa, and there* 
after the Indians sang: 

''The Ok^ator willed that a chosen one 
Should reveal his wisdom to all mankind. 
And that (Jaiwiyu should be expounded. 
And so he called Ganiodaiyu to him 



HANDSOME LAKE'S CREDENTIALS FROM THE WAR 
DEPARTMENT 



*, 



• -» 



•• \ 



- c ^- • • 



• f • 



c - ^ 



U C 






APPENDIX 261 

That all his wiaheB might be fulfilled. 

So Ganiodaiyu responded truly 

And proclaimed the message untU he died. 

We give thee thiuiks for he did his duty. 

And we follow in the way he taught us 

We shall not forget, but shall remember; 

O.. Thou, who doest live Above, Our Ma^er! 

Now the incense of thanksgiving rises, 

We shall follow Handsome Lake our Prophet I 

Gwi-yah, we praise thee with our joyful dancing I " 

The years have passed and even as the veiled spirit in the 
Heaven world predicted, as he held up his bleeding pierced hands, the 
teachings of Handsome Lake are waning. Only a few hundred may 
be reckoned as true followers and many half believers are worse for 
their half belief, for they have degenerated. The environment that 
made a religion efOlcacious has passed away leaving its practice almost 
a mockery. The Indian's world has become the white man's world 
and yet the faithful few try to worship the old way, wearing store- 
made clothes and cooking the feasts in granite ware kettles 
sweetening their cakes with domino sugar, flavoring their berry 
juices with coal-tar products and using packing-house beef, instead 
of the fresh flesh of the bear. The social and economic order all 
about them is the white man's, not theirs. How long may they 
oppose their way to the overwhelming forces of modem civilization, 
and still exist as efficient menf How long will they seek to meet 
the overwhelming forces of modem requirements with the simple de- 
vices of their ancestors, who planned not for the ezingencies of a 
rapidly changing order f 

My Indian friends will answer: "Of these things we do not 
inquire, we only have faith that the Great Buler will care for us if 
we are faithful." Asked about the clothes they wear and the food 
they eat and the mill-board long-house in which they worship, they 
reply: "All these things may be made of the white man's mate- 
rials but they are outward things. Our religion is not one of cloth- 
ing, of paint, or of feathers; it is a thing of the heart." That Is 
the answer, it is a thing of the heart, — who can change itf 

THE RELIGION OF HANDSOME LAKE 
(See Chapter II., page 18.) 

Here follows a translation of the speech made by Jimmy John- 
son at the Grand Council of the Confederacy of Iroquois held at the 
Indian Village at Tonawanda, Oct. 2nd and 3rd, 1845. This speech 
is an al)ridgement of his annual speech, or rather a repetition in 



262 APPENDIX 

brief of the religiouB preeepts pretended to have been eommi 
to the Iroquois from heaven.i 

The Onondagas and Seneeas, and our children the Oneidaa, 
Oayngaa and Tnacarozvs, have convened here today for the purpose 
of listening again to the speaking of the will of the Great Spirit^ 
as communicated to us, through his Oreat Prophet Gkmyodjoh or 
Handsome Lake. We would therefore give you all a hearty welcome. 

The day is far advanced and the sun is now going down. I 
will therefore proceed immediately to the performance of my duties. 
Brothers, turn your minds toward the Great Spirit, and listen with 
good and strict attention. First, I want all, old and young, to know 
how long ago it was since the Great Spirit communicated his religion 
to us. It is now 46 years since the Great Spirit spoke to the Indians 
through his Prophet, and since that time we have attempted to live 
faithfully. Ganyodyoh told us, he lay sick four years. He says, 
"I had assigned myself to the determination of the Great Spirit. 
I thanked Him for every ray of light which entered my cabin, pro- 
ceeding from the daily sun. In the morning I meditated on the 
future, and expected not to see the dusk of evening. I was more 
faithful therefore to the discharge of my daily duties. But evening 
came and through the opening in the roof of my cabin I looked 
upon the stars which the Great Spirit has made to serve as ornaments 
in the heavens. Again I returned my greatful thanks to my Creator,, 
and again resigned myself to him, expecting not to behold the light 
of another morning." 

In this manner his sickness was prolonged for years. At one 

'dock however, he says he told his daughter, vexy early in the morn- 
ing, to request his relatives and friends to come in and see him once 
more, as the sensations in him predicted that something extraor- 
dinary was to befall him. The friends convened, but he was dead. 
A small spot directly over the heart was discovered to be warm. At 
nine o'clock he opened his eyes and was asked if he saw aright. But 
he could not speak and again closed his eyes. At noon he again 
revived and opened his eyes. Being asked by one near if he could 
see anything, he replied in the afi&rmative. He then was asked what 
he saw. He replied as follows: 

"This morning a man came into my cabin, and wished me to 
follow him out of doors. I did not feel strong enough to do so. But 

1 arose to go out. At the door I stumbled and fell. Three men 



1. TruuriAtion by E. S. Parker, vtrhoHm from the ori^iul manuiorlpt 



APPENDIX 26S 

standing at the door eangbt me in their arms. They said, 'we have 
come to help you. Haste, and eat of the fruit of these branches.' 

"Each one held a branch in his hand, bearing different kinds 
of fruits and of different colors. The men were dothed in pnre 
white. They said that they were sent by the Great Spirit. At 
different times it has pleased the Great Spirit to make known His 
will to his people through men, but they have aU proved unfaithful. 
He expects you to be faithful. He has heard your prayers and 
receiyes your thanks for his preservadon of your life. His mind 
is that you shall yet live among your people many days. Tomorrow 
your people must convene in meeting and have a religious dance, 
and at noon you must go in and look upon your friends." 

The people did as they were directed. At noon he entered the 
council room and looked upon the mass of the congregated people. 
He then proceeded to tell the council ^hat the men in white had told 
him to say to the coundL He said: 

"The men spoke to me thus: 'Tell your people the will of 
the Great Spirit. They have sinned a great sin and have greatly 
trangressed against his laws in getting drunk. You sin greatly in 
getting drunk. The fire-waters were not made for the Indians, 
and it will ruin them if they continue to use them. The fire-waters 
were made for the white people. They are laboring men and they 
need some stimulant; therefore the Creator gave them the fire-waters 
to drink, three times a day. But they too have violated the laws 
and regulations given to them by their Creator. In introducing this 
drink among the Indians, they have committed a great sin and as 
a punishment they will never get to heaven. Tell your people all. 
Travel among them and be yourself a temperate man. Tell your 
people that they have committed four great sins. Too many of the 
Indians are proud and haughty. Bepent therefore and escape the 
penalty. Bepent in open council. If some of the people are 
too timid to confess and repent before the council they may speak 
to you (that is the Prophet) in private, saying "I repent" We 
(the angels) will hear and forgive. Since the Creation of all things, 
we have always been the guardians of earth and its inhabitants. 
And if they can not speak to you, let them form the new resolution 
in the mind, that they repent and they shall see the Great Spirit. 
The Great Spirit did not design when he created man and woman, 
that women should be barren. To deprive themselves of the gener- 
ative organs, therefore, is a great sin. Bepent of the evil among 
you. Some women come into the world barren. In order, there- 
fore, for such to fill the position designed for them, they must adopt 
children and love them as though they were their own. Those doing 



264 APPENDIX 

this shall see the Greai Spirit. Also th^y nuty i^lopt orphans and 
bring them up in virtaoos principles. This also is good in the mind 
of the Great Spirit. If yoa tie ttp the olothes of an orphan ehUd, 
the Great Spirit will notice it and reward 70a for it. Universal 
benevolence and hospitality is good. The Great Spirit, in institut- 
ing the marriage rite, intended that the parties should love one an- 
other. It is wrong, therefore, to use 0-noh-ate.s This practice He 
says is ruinous, repent and use it no more. It is the will of the 
Great Spirit, that husband and wife shall love one another. If th^ 
are helped with children, whenever they become of a proper age, th^y 
must marry them to an old, experienced person. If they in turn are 
helped with children, let them unite in offering grateful thanks to 
the Great Spirit when th^ have grand-children, they must be more 
thankful, for they can not make their gratitude too manifest. When 
a young woman becomes pregnant, it is very wrong to circulate 
false stories concerning her and her husband, for in so doing it may 
cause a separation. This in the sight of the Great Spirit, is a great 
wrong. Should a man leave her under such circumstances, a great 
punishment awaits him. In this thing the old people did right, but 
the Great Spirit wished to renew old things. Parents, teach your 
children virtuous principles. You all know how great a trouble it 
was to bring up your children, therefore, teach them to walk in the 
paths of virtue. Children, obey your parents. If you do not will- 
ingly submit to the will and requirements of your parents, you will 
cause them to feel bad and to shed many tears. Disobedient chUdren 
are sent to hell. It is the will of the Great Spirit, that those children 
who disobey their parents, should repent and disobey them no more. 
It is wrong for a father or mother-in-law, to vex or harass a son 
or daughter-in-law. But they must use them as if they were their 
own children. When a child is bom it is wrong for the father and 
mother of it to hold disputes over its body. The child hears and 
understands all that is said, and it often feels bad; and unless the 
parents put an end to their disputes and bitter contentions, will 
return to the home of the Great Spirit. Parents should exercise 
love towards their children. Adultery is a great sin, and the Great 
Spirit says, do not commit adultery. It is wrong to whip children 
with the rod. If yon wish to correct a child, use cold water. Tell 
them, "I shall either sprinkle or plunge you.'' If the child says, 
' I shall do better/ then stop. 



2. TUs probably would be nothing mor« thmn exoeatlTe pudonftte lore. Hie 
Indiana wy, that tfaia ia a aubatance and that it haa mch a ehanninff power, that 
the peraon under iti influence can not aeparate Umaelf or heradf from the dianner. 
It ii evident that it ie not a pure love, for aometiniea the partiee bate one another 
to mdi a dQgree, aa to be forced to come to blowa. and yet tlie penon diarmed 
cares nothing about it. 



APPENDIX 266 

"It has been the crutom among the Indians to mourn for the 
dead one year. This eoatom is not right. It causes the death of many 
children, therefore, do it no longer. Ten days mourn for the dead 
and no more.8 When a person is dead, it is right and proper to 
make a speech over the body, telling how much loved the deceased. 
Great respect for the dead, among the Indians must be observed. 
To be a tattler or tale bearer is very wrong. It is the root of great 
eviL Bepent and do it no longer. 

"To prove the position that alcohol is ruinous, we would say: 
that men using the fire waters, are apt to freeze, to get drowned, to 
be burned to death and a great many fights arise out of it.' ' 

Jimmy Johnson says there are a great many opposers to our 
religion. Some oppose it, by having too great an appetite for the 
fire water, manufactured by the whites. Others oppose it by dis- 
believing the Indian religion, and embracing the religion of the 
whites. There is however one class, who are strong in the belief of 
the Indian and who have a great desire for the perpetual existence 
of the Indians as a Nation; and that all things among the Indians 
may go off with success and prosperity. The Prophet told the In- 
dians that the angels were happy whenever they heard two friends 
discoursing about doing good to their fellowmen. But whenever 
they heard two friends differ in opinion respecting the propriety of 
doing good to man, and they continued to dispute, they were sorry 
and wished the Indians to know that this was very wrong. The 
Great Spirit implanted a principle in the human mind, which should 
incline mankind to sympathize with one another. The principle is 
always exercised for the good. Be firm and resolute in doing that 
which is good. 

At one time the Angels desired the Prophet to go with them to 
make a visit to the home of the Evil Spirit. Together they directed 
their steps thitherward. Having approached to the house, they 
placed themselves near in order therefore that the Prophet might 
see the inner part of the house to a good advantage. The outer of 
the house was raised up. The first object that met his eye was a 
haggard-looking man — ^his sunken eyes cast upon the ground and his 
form nearly half consumed from the many torments he had under- 
gone. This man was a drunkard. For just at this moment, the 
Evil One coming up to him and taking him by the arm, led him to 
the side of a great kettle coiktaining red hot lead. Out of this kettle 



8. It Is the pntctioe among the old Indians, to this day, upon the tentli day 
to call together the friends of the deceased, and then make a pabllo disposal of 
whatever effects he had. 



266 APPENDIX 

the Evil One dipped a large quantity of fiery liqiiid, and eommanded 
the penon whom he held by the hand to drink it for, he says, the 
liquid will have the same effect, as the fire-waters mannfaetnred by 
the whites, and will prodnee precisely the same sensati<ms. The man 
took of the fiery liquid, but no sooner was it taken, than he filled 
the air with the most horrid cries; a lambent flame and a li^t smoke 
immediately issued from his month. The fiery waters of earth, 
says the Evil One, possess the same qualities as this. Any one might 
as well drink red hot lead as to drink aleohol (called by the Indians 
fire-water). 

The next object the Prophet discovered was a woman, being led 
by the Evil One between two great kettles. He took and plunged 
her into one of the kettles. Her increasing shrieks evinced that 
she was in great torment, for she begged the Evil One to give her 
some colder place, she was too hot, she was afraid that she would be 
consumed by the heat. He then took and plunged her into the other 
kettle. But in a moment her cries again filled the air. She was 
complaining that it was too cold. This woman, says the Prophet, 
was a witch; she shall always be tormented in this manner, forever 
and ever, at one time being plunged into boiling liquid, the next into 
liquid upon the point of f reering. 

The next incident witnessed by the Prophet, was the calling 
together of a husband and wife, who when on earth were in the habit 
of continuously disputing and contradicting one another. Having 
set them near one another, the Evil Spirit commanded them to dis- 
pute with one another now, as they were accustomed to do when on 
earth. They indeed did commence but had not proceeded far, before 
their tongues began to run out, so that they could no longer talk. 
This the Prophet said would be the fate of such characters. 

The Ghreat Spirit has proposed a way for all to get to heaven. 
Therefore when any one does wrong, they must repent and put them- 
selves in the right way immediately, for unless they do it, they may 
get lost. 

Ganyodyoh was very particular in explaining to us the course 
which departed spirits were accustomed to take upon their exit frmn 
this world and entrance into another world. There was a road which 
led upward; in a short distance the road forked, one branch keeping 
a straight forward course while the other angled off in an entirdy 
different course. At the point where the roads separated were sta- 
tioned two men; one a man deputiased by the Qreat Spirit, the other 
of the Evil One. Whenever a person died they took the road leading 
upward; having arrived at the point of the separation of the two 
roads, if he was a wicked person, by a motion from the man of the 



APPENDIX 267 

£M1 Ono, thflj instinetiTBly tnmed into the roads leading to the 
abodes of the Tormentor. But if a person was good, the contrary 
would follow. That is, they would follow the straight path leading 
to the home of the Great Spirit. The straight path the Prophet 
said was not much trav^ed, while the other was completely trodden 
so that, he says, no grass eoold grow in the path. He says it some- 
times hi^pens that the judges have great difSenlly in determining 
which road the person ought to take. For sometimes the good and 
bad actions are so nearly balanced that it requires some timo to 
determine which outweighed. When persons are sent to hell, they 
sometimes remain there for a day, and some for a longer time. (One 
day in hell is one of mortal years), and atone for their sins and 
then passing on to heaven. But those guilty of the unpardonable 
sins shall never pass from hell to heaven, but should be tormented 
in heU forever and ever. 

The Prophet was then commanded to look upon earth. He 
looked and behold, there was a great gathering of the people! The 
first object which attracted his attention, was a man naked, running 
through the midst of the people. Behind him followed an innumer- 
able number of women. They followed him because he like them- 
sdves loved fire-water very much. Next came two naked women, 
seemingly young. Their fault was coquetry. Their punishment was 
in being exposed naked to the whole assembly. He saw also a woman 
rolling a dust sack. This woman was punished for what is com- 
monly called a stingy woman. He also saw a man running through 
the midst of the people, with a large piece of meat in his hand. This 
was a benevolent man, willing to give to all whom chance might hap- 
pen to throw into his way. The Oreat Spirit designed that all men 
like myaelf should be benevolent. 

Again the Prophet was commanded to look towards the east. He 
looked and saw the smoke of a thousand distilleries using and shut- 
ting out the light of the Sun. The angels told the Prophet that when 
the Great Spirit became tired or weary of the existence of the earth, 
he should bum it. The first earth he destroyed by water, but the 
second he will bum with fire. This he will do on account of the 
wickedness of the earth's inhabitants. The Great Spirit made all 
good things. He made the winds and the clouds, heat and cold, but 
the devil made the witches, subject however to the will of the Great 
Spirit. At one time he attempted to kill them, but th^ fled into the 
earth. When the end of the world approaches, the witches will come 
out of their retreats, for the purpose of tormenting wicked people. 
The sun will be removed and there will be a great smoke upon earth. 



268 APPENDIX 

All good folks then living upon euth will then leave for heavwou The 
wioked will periirii upon earth. 

The inflnence of Indian preaohen may not alwaje be good. "But 
if you (the Prophet) in any degree lose your influmiee among your 
people, if you are faithful to your religion, we (the angels) shall 
abide with you and eomf ort you. Preaohers should have asristants. 
For his holy Prophet Ganyodyoh^ the Great Spirit, raised aids." 
The an^^els said that they respeeted the aids of the Prophet^ beeanse 
th^ were reUgious ofOieers, and not mere dignitary chiefs. ' ' Let the 
aanistants thanh the Great Spirit when the time draws near for them 
to act. When they have completed, they must renew their thanks 
to Him. All religious ofBLcers are placed in the path that leads to 
heaven and if they resign their offices they put themselves out of the 
}R«y and they will find more difficulty in travelling in the wrong wajj 
but the firm and faithful will be happy in heaven. I therefore exhort 
all my assistants to be firm and faithful in the principles of the 
religion entrusted to their charge. The Indians have many songs 
after which they dance for amusement. These same songs will be sung 
by the happy in heaven. As for instance^ the grand religious dance, 
which is performed by the Indians at all their feasts; that also will 
be danced in heaven and the Indians say that the Great Spirit him- 
self will be the singer. The angels commanded the Prophet to request 
the Indians to convene in council upon the Tonawanda Beseivation. 
They assured him that if he made the request l^e Indians would 
convena When the council convened the Indians began to confess 
and repent before the Prophet. The Indians from Geneeeo also did 
the same. After they had all finished some of the Indians from the 
east wished the Prophet to teU whether all the Indians who had con- 
fessed to him and wished to repent, had spoken from the heart. The 
Prophet answered that some had not. Whereupcm some immediately 
arose and confessed that they had not spoken the feelings of their 
hearts, but were only testing the Prophet. 

Se-grwa-an-doh-gwe (called in English; John Ldttlebeard) had 
such a great anxiety to live justly, obeying the will of the Great 
Spirit that at one time he requested the Prophet to ask the angels 
what thing he lacked. (John littlebeard it is said was a great fa- 
vorite of the Prophet and was his constant and faithful companiMi 
in all his travels among the Six Nations). The Prophet reported to 
Littlebeard and to the Indian in Ooundl, that the angels said his 
fault was being a double-minded man. This is, he believed the 
Christian as well as the Pagan or Indian religion. Thus Littlebeard 
was made a man of no decisi<m of character.^ 



4. Inumdifttelx upoo the diMith of Oanyodjoh, Littlebeard left the noks of 
Pasanlm end Joined himielf to the Gbriitian drarch then eetaUirtied amooff the 
Inolani end remained ftrm in the belief of that Tdiffioii. 



APPENDIX 259 

The Prophet was eommanded to look into the dwelling of the 
white num. He looked and saw fetters for binding and seeuring 
criminals, ropes f<Mr hanging murderers, and whips for subduing the 
disobedient and obstinate. He beheld a great Tsriety of torturing 
instrumente, which he said awaited the Indians if thej attempted 
to Uve after the ntanner of the whites. Again, it is the will of the 
Great Spirit, that the young shall love and roTerence the aged, even 
though they be helpless as infants — ^he desired that they receive good 
care, — that no reasonable pains be foregone which would have a ten- 
dency to increase their unhappiness upon earth. There is a great 
disrespect generally paid to the old people; this is not right, but the 
contraxy should be practiced. Children must not separate themselves 
from their parents nor must they, when the strength of their parents 
b^n to fail, turn them out of doors. But they must love them and 
be kind to them, for this is right and pleasing to the Great Spirit. 

''At one time there was a difficulty among the people of the 
Prophet and the Prophet himself. The angels advised the Prophet 
to leave Allegany and that from that place he should take three 
steps, where he should settle himself down forever. The first step he 
took was to go to Tonawanda. From this place he looked to 
Onondaga. 

"This is what Ganyodyoh used to tell us, and all has indeed 
happened according to his words. Chiefs, warriors, women and 
children continued to listen. Leave the fire-water and be a special 
people of the Great Spirit. We once more say to you all, touch not, 
nor taste the fire-water, liiany are imprudent in violating the laws 
regulating health and these die a premature death. This again is 
wrong. You will do well to fiU the number of your days. The In- 
dians were once in great darkness, but have now received the light. 
We think that the great prevailing sin among the Indians is drunk- 
enness, and we desire to say all we can in order to render it abhorrent 
to all. Bum-sellers have no fiesh on their hands. They have nothing 
but home. We entreat you warriors that none of you sell the fire- 
water. ' ' 

Jimmy Johnson here observed that he believed his religion to 
be true and, says he: ''I shall always adhere to it as the only true 
religion for me.'' Jimmy Johnson proceeds, exhorting the Indians 
to be moral. The Prophet used to preach that playing and dancing 
after the fiddle and playing cards was very wrong. The Indians 
must not use nor even touch them, nor must they adopt any of the 
gambling practices invented by the whites. The Indians themselves 
have dances and they can practice them innocently. The angels told 
the Prophet to tell the Indians that it was very wrong to sell any 



2d0 APPENDIX 

of the lands which the Great Spirit had made and given to the In- 
diana for their poeeewion and oecapa ne y. The Gteat Spirit did not 
make it> to be the property of the old people, bat for the poiieirian 
of the children. Tndiana who peralat in nlling lands mnat expect 
to meet a great punishment after death. 

In one of the ezpeditiona of the Prophet into the upper regioni^ 
he ehaneed to meet his friend Ho-na-ya-wuSy otherwise called Farm- 
er '0 Brother^ drawing sand. He said that from a great heap of sand* 
he was taking a grain of sand at a time^ and althoogh laboring eon- 
tinnallj the heap of sand did not diminish. Snoh, he said, woold 
be the paniihment of those eontinnally selling landsb Like Farmer's 
Brother, although working ineeasantly at the heap of sand, yet he 
eoold not diminish its proportions, so the Indian who sells land, 
althoogh he might sell eontinnally, yet he never conld dispooe of all 
the lands. The angels are said to have advieed the Indians to always 
aet with unanimity. If they did not, the white people, seeing their 
divisions, would creep in among them, establishing themselves among 
them and finally gain complete advantage over them. Jimmy John- 
son had observed saying, that all was indeed coming to pass agreeably 
to the words of the Prophet 

The Prophet told of the events of a future war. This the 
Preacher says has all happened. The Prophet said that the day 
would come when the white people would try hard to buy the land 
of the Indians. Says he : "If the Indians do not act with unanimity, 
they will be the sufferers." The angels told the Prophet also that 
such a great difftculty would come from the fact that there would be 
so many parties, that the angels themselves were ignorant what the 
final result of them would be. The Prophet was commanded to look 
at the Indian village situated upon the Buflialo Greek Beservation. 
He turned and looked, but where was itY Naught was now to be 
seen of the village but the decaying remnants of wigwams, which 
clearly evinced that sometime, many years ago, the princely lords of 
the soil lived there. This the Prophet predicted to happen to our 
people. You can all bear witness what he said should lumpen is com- 
ing to pass. It has been the custom among the Indians when yet 
living in darkness, to have a barrel of whisky whenever they had 
their dances. But the angels prohibited this practice and substituted 
for whisky, provisions. They said that the substituting of provisions 
would be not only agreeable to theniBelves, but far more pleasing to 
the Great Spirit. Since the Great Spirit knew that the Indians could 
not do without some kind of amusement therefore he orginated the 
idea of dancing, which he gave to the Indians for their benefit. More- 
over the Prophet was commanded that whenever he preached, to 



APPENDIX 261 

■ 

prefteh in the forenoon and if he choose to ocenpy tin noon. (The 
proprie^ of this eeems to eonsiet in the idea, that the early part of 
the day belonged vpeeiaUy to the living, and the latter part of the 
day to the dead.) For the afternoon belongs to the dead. The 
earth eommenees to prodnes froit directly at the snrfaoe. ''Give 
moy therefore/^ says the Ghreat Spirit, "a thank-oifering for the 
first fruits. (This I believe is a strawberry feast). Also give me a 
tiiank-offering at the green com feast and at the time of harvesting 
or gathering of the com, and again at the new-year's f^asf All 
these feasts must be accompanied with their appropriate dances. 
Exercises to commence in the morning and to terminate at noon. 

Again, the Prophet was accustomed to observe to the Indians, 
that if they did not free themselves from the use of strong drinks, 
it would occasion the spilling of much blood among them. This, 
says the Preacher, has all happened. 

The Oreat Spirit made the Indians to live by the ehase. But 
he foresaw the day when the Indians would be deprived of their 
hunting grounds; therefore He has said that it was not a criminal 
wrong to follow the example of the whites in some respects. He said 
that it was not wrong to build houses after the manner of the whites, 
to work your farms and to raise domestic animals. But an Indian 
could not live and be happy when he exceeded these bounds. 

Jimmy Johnson then addressed a few words to the women, say- 
ing, it is a great evil among women to talk ill concerning their neigh- 
bors. On this account the Oreat Spirit has given the express com- 
mand that women shall not talk ill concerning their neighbors, for 
the Great Spirit has made all Indians equal and entitled to the same 
privileges and immunities. Be not a respecter of persons, for the 
Ghreat Spirit has given a variety of gifts, to some a pretty face, to 
others an ugly face, to some beaatifnl form, to others a deformed 
figure, etc Be' kindly disposed one toward another. Love one an- 
other with a brotherly love, for yon are all members of the same 
family. If a stranger wanders about your abode, welcome him to 
your home and be hospitable toward him. Speak kind words to him 
and forget not always to mention the Great Spirit in the proceeds. 
In the morning give thanks to the 'Great Spirit for the return of day 
and the light of the sun. At night renew your thanks to Him, that 
His ruling power has preserved you from harm during the day, and 
also that night has again come in ^riiich you may rest your wearied 
body. All this, the Great Spirit is pleased with, because it is right. 



262 APPENDIX 



BLY S. PARKEB'8 SCHOOL DATS 
(See Ghapter VI, iMge 74.) 
An uneiEpeetad elipping reminiaeent of Ely 8. Pftrker't eehooi 
dajB eomes from the Buffalo Bapreu under date of Mareh 24, 1015. 
It deeeribee Elj as a ''beau Brnmmel," and the writer of the letter 
reflects the prejudice of the daj agaimt Indian blood. The letter 
follows : 

Editor Buffalo Ezpreee: — ^In the year 1845 I completed mj last 
term of school at Yates Academy, N. Y., where Ely Parker was then 
a student. Eventually he became chief of the Six Nations. His 
was a noble, commanding form, tall, erect, broad-Aonldered, and 
his straifi^t, coal-black hair, high cheek-bones and copper-colored 
eomplezion plainly told his origin. His genial affsbility won the 
respeet of both teachers and sdioolmates» No young man in school 
eonld compete with him in oratory. 

When it was annonneed that Parker was to address the school 
the house was filled to its full capacity and necks craned, eager to 
catch CTcry word that came ftom his deep, full Yoice, which pene- 
trated to the farthest comer of the spacious schoolroom. He was 
truly a prodigy, springing from such a slow, indolent race. 

Although Paiker poeeessed many traits that were commendable, 
he showed lack of discretion by falling in love with one of his fairest 
schoolmates^ who, strange to say, seemed to reciprocate his feelingly 
allowing him to be her escort from lectures and evening meetings. 
This caused quite a stir, furnishing food for gossiping ones. In time 
it was rumorad that Parker was to take the young lady in question 
for a drive on the Fourth of July. Some credited the story, while 
others thought she, belonging to <me of the most aristocratic fam- 
ilies, would not ^graee herself and friends by riding out with an 
Indian. The Fourth of July came, when many wero on the alert 
to know if the rumor was really true. 

Verandas wen filled with people and even the street comers, 
whea. in a measuro their curiosity was rewarded, as Parker went by 
with a grand livery and a negro driver. It was not long era the 
splendid rig came rolling by and, euro enough, Mary was sitting at 
the side of Parker and the darky driver in front. The young lady 
so<m went abroad for a long vacati<m. 

Parker now lies in a Buffalo cemetery. 

Ubs, Louise Baohcldob. 

Bochester, March 24th, 1915. 



NICHOLSON HENRY PARKER 
When a etudent in Albany State Normal School, 1854. 






c 



^ 



% 



APPENDIX 263 

•«THB AMBBIOAN BED MAN"i 

(See diapter VI, jwge 77.) 

I am no orator as my forefathers were who now lie in their 
■Uent grayes in yonder wilderness. Bat as you see I stand here a 
simple Indian^ a son of the forest, a relie of the wreck of the Iroquois, 
a band of nations who once peopled the lengtli and breadth of yoor 
Bmpire State: and if there be any present to whom the form and 
address of an Indian is displeasing, I speak not to them. But I 
speak to those, to whom real knowledge has taught that all men are 
made of one blood, created free and equal, entitled to the same rights 
and pri^eges, and accountable to the same God. I speak to those 
who can appreciate the merits of talent and inteUectual worth, who 
are lowers of true knowledge, and who are lovers of eloquence. The 
topic to which I shall call your attention for a few moments is, ' ' The 
People Qone.' ' 

"The Niobe of nations^ there die stands. 
Childless and erownless in her voiceless woe.'' 

Why weep over their fate, those brave hearted hermits of the 
wilderness f Their destiny was accomplished, they uttered their 
voice, they filled up their portion of the great umverse plan, their 
hour upon the clock of time was struck, — and they were not! Such 
is the law of fate, beneath whose stem mandate other nations have 
wrapt around themselves the solemn drapery of the sepulchre and 
bowed their glorious foreheads in the dust. Birthplaces of the mon- 
arch minstrel, the blind old man of Scio, and he who plucked the last 
laurel from the olden tree of song, what are yef Mouldering mon- 
uments, erected by the Destroyer to show the foot-prints of the 
eternal world march, — the 9iem, wibendvag, necessary law! What 
speaks itf An august truth: it tells that without and within, is 
force, resistless force, moving spirit and matter; moves and starts 
onward. Under the power, man and world must be alike pushed oif 
the stage of eodstence to. make room for others. System rushes on 
ifystem, generation on generation, and nation on nation, in everlast- 
ing battle; a fearful war, in which the defensive must ever surren- 
der; some expiring with a low melancholy wail, and others breathing 
their last in a loud, warrior shout. So died the "People Gone." 
The fomiBt fire shot up fiercely unto the end, and brave souls glanoed 
defiance in the death straggle. 



1. An a M r i ddivcfed darins the Junior year of Nicholson H. Parker at 
Albany State Normal School. 



264 APPENDIX 

We haT6 said, Whj we«p am their fatef PUloeophieal It maj 
not be, yet humanity nnaeak the foontain, aad the eold hearth-«tone, 
the broken bow, and the leaf -eofered graye are wet with the moop- 
ner's tear. Were thie people wronged? Yon do not feel diepoeed 
to inTestigate the subject. If wrongedi then wrong is the yetj div- 
inity of the inevitable laws whieh produoed their min. Man's feeble 
eye can not pieree the cloud; man's cireumsoribed mind can not roll 
away the mists which envelope the Bmpire of the BeaL Bat idien 
you dimiss this subject^ another arises whieh you may think of mueh 
more importance, the doing of jvHioe to the characters of those, 
whom the "law" forced you to destroy; the rescuing of their names 
from oblivion and the placing of them within their proper sphere 
in history. This is a noble duty which the world expects you to par- 
form, and which the inherent generosity of American character should 
urge you to accomplish. Will you be less manly, — aye, and less 
philosophical too, — than the conqueror of Gaulf He chronicled the 
deeds of every nation which he conquered, thus according justice 
to them, and indirectly was taught to consider as optional with him- 
self: besides, what prisons had he for their safe keeping f 

The Indian has been called crueL What causes had he not to 
make him so? His brethren carried into captivity, his wife and 
children bound in the chains of slavery, his fields destroyed, his hunt- 
ing-grounds harried, his dwellings burnt, his wide and beautifal 
country wrested from his grasp, and he driven forth without home* 
without food, without shelter. These, these changed his nature 
and sometimes made the man a demon. That the red warrior often 
committed acts whieh humanity can not pardon, we confess: but 
yet can not the feeling heart And much in his extenuation f We 
hazard nothing in saying, that the whites have deeds to answer for 
far more bloody than the native of America. Witness Jena I attest 
it, St. Bartholomew! Speak out, .thou Inquisition I And what of 
the guillotine? Where is there an Indian AtiUa or an aboriginal 
Bobespierref History answereth not. Oh! it is very modest in you 
to speak of Indian cruelty! And more easy too, than effective. But 
we will leave this topic for one more pleasant — the intellectual 
eharacter of the red man. 

His mind has always been underrated. The only faculty which 
you have allowed him to a high extent is that of oratory. But we 
fearlessly challenge the whole white race to afford more stxiking 
instances of judgment, caution, calculation and concentration, than 
can be found in Powhattan, Pontiae, Tecnmsah, Philip and, last 
though not least, Osceola. These were all generals, great generals: 



APPENDIX 265 

edf -tanght taotieiaot and militaiy diplomato. If not, the irhaX% 
leaden aeqnired pieotoiu little glm^ in at last defeating them. 

Among Indian wanion Powliattan ludda a high and deserved 
station. He made himself the sole and abeolnte monareh of his tribe 
by the mere f oree of natiTe genins and iron-will. The whites ealled 
him **The Smpercr.'* 

There is not a eharaeter either in the staid lore of historj, or 
the splendid pages of nmumoe, more martiali dignified and brilliant, 
than the renowned Philip. BravOi mereifnl and talented, he is the 
▼ety hMiu4deal of the wise, the ehiyalrons and the good. The dip- 
lomatio talent which he displayed in all his negotiations is admitted 
by his enemim to have been of the first order. But if he was great 
in the eouneil and powerful in the field, what words should be applied 
to him when he found himself deserted, the sceptre of his fathers 
fading away ttom his hands, and himself an outcast, — Shunted like 
a wild beast, and not owning amid his whole dominions a spot where- 
on the weary, broken-hearted warrior might jrepose his weary headl 
And amid all this ruin, he scoffed at peace. The frame of the great 
soldier was sioking, but his spirit, like the noble tree of his native 
forest, still dared the lighting and laughed at the storm-cloud. An 
able writer has said: ''Philip was far from being a mere barbarian 
in his manners and feelings. There is not an instance of his having 
maltreated a captive in any way — even whUe the EngUah were eelling 
hie own people a$ slaves abroad, or tortwring and hanging them at 
home," There is a moral grandeur in his death, the reeult of 
treachery, which even the proud Gondcan could not boast. Elo- 
quently has it been said, ''he fought and fell— miserably indeed, 
but gloriously, the avenger of his household, the worshiper of his 
own gods, the guardian of his own honor, a martyr for the soil which 
was his birthplace, and for the proud liberty which was his birth- 
right," 

Philip of Pokanoket is among the immortaL The eloquence of 
Logan has been fully proved by Jefferson and Campbell. That of 
Decanesora is not so much known. Yet he was as vehement and 
imaginative. 

The Indians' oratory is to be classed with the finest in the 
world — ^If sharp point, beautiful and grand imagery, and appropriate 
gesture are its main constitutents. Decanesora once said to a white 
governor, "You have almost eaten us up. Our best men are killed 
in this bloody war. But we forget what is past. Before this, we 
once threw the hatchet into the river, hut you fished U «p, and treach- 
erously surprised our people at Oadaraqui. After that, you sent 
us to have our prisoners restored. Then the hatchet was thrown up 



206 APPENDIX 

to the sky, htst you kept a string fastened to the heUse and pmUed it 
down and fell upon our people. Now we oome to oover the hloed 
from our sight, which has been ahed hy both partial dniing the war. 
We make the sun dean, and dri^e awaj all eloods and darkneee^ that 
we maj tee the light without interruption." Deeaneaora onee an- 
swered a eharge of fraud by advising the aceuaer to give ''less eredit 
to the rum-earriers. " 

Oondensity is the main eharacteriatie of Indian oratory. In 
this respeet Eed Jacket, as an orator, was unequaled by any Indian 
of his tribe, his language was beautiful and figurative, as the Indian 
language always is, — and delivered with the greatest ease and fluency. 
His gesticulation was ea^, graceful and natural. His voice was 
distinct and clear, and he always spoke with great animation. 

Bed Jacket came upon the theatre of active life, when the power 
of his tribe had declined, and its extinction was theatened. The 
white man was advancing upon them with gigantic strides. The 
red warrior had appealed ineffectually, to arms; his cunning had 
failed and his strength overpowered: his foes, superior in prowess, 
were countless in number; and he had thrown down the tomahawk 
in despair. It was then that Bed Jacket stood forward as a patriot, 
defending his nation with fearless eloquence and denouncing its 
enemies with fierce invective, or bitter sarcasm. He became their 
counsellor, their negotiator and their orator. Whatever may have 
been his conduct in the field, he now evinced a moral courage, as 
cool and sagacions as it was undaunted, and which showed a mind 
of too high an order to be infiuenced by the base sentiment of fear. 
The relations of the Senecas with the American people introduced 
questions of a new and highly interesting character, having refer- 
ence to the purchase of their lands, and the introduction of Chris- 
tianity and the arts. The Indians were asked not only to sell their 
country, but to embrace a new religion, to change their occupation 
and domestic habits, and to adopt a novel system of thought and ac- 
tion. Strange as these propositions must have seemed in them8elvee» 
they were rendered the more unpalatable when dictated by the strong- 
er party, and accompanied by occasional acts of oppression. It was 
at this crisis that Bed Jacket stood forward, the intrepid defender of 
his country, its customs, and its religion, and the unwavering op- 
ponent of all innovations. He yielded nothing to persuasion or bri- 
bery, or to menace, and never, to his last hour, remitted his ezivtions 
in what he eonsidwed the noblest purpose of his life. 

An intelligent gentleman, who knew this ehisf intimately, in 
peace and war, for more than thirty years, speaks of him in the f ol* 
lowing terms: "Bed Jacket was a perfect Indian in evwy r e spe e t in 
costume, in his contempt of the dress of the white men, in his haliBd 



APPENDIX TIN 

ftnd oppoiitioii to tbe miiiBonifcrifWi and in Us atta/ehment to tad 
TOMraitioii for the aneient enatoiM and traditionB of hia tribe.'' 

Hia memoiy was yevy strong, for in a eonneil wfaieh was held 
with the Seneeaa by Governor Tompkiaa of New York, a eonteet 
aioee between that gentleman and Bed Jaeket, aa to a faet eonneeted 
with a treaty of many years' atanding. The Ameriean agent stated 
one thing, the Indian ehief eorreeted him, and insisted that the reverse 
of his assertion was true. "Bnty" it was rejoined, "you have for- 
gotten — we have it written down on paper." "The paper then tell 
a lie/' was the eonfident answer; "I have it written here," eon- 
tinned the ehief, placing his hand with dignity upon his brow. "Yon 
Yankees are bom with a feather between your Angers; but your 
ignpet doee not speak the truth. The Indian keeps his knowledge 
here; this is the book the Great Spirit gives us; it does not liel" 
A reference was immediately made to the treaty in question, when 
to the astonishment of all present, and to the triumph of the red 
statesman, the document confirmed every word he had uttered. 

Previous to his death, tame had made such ravages on his con- 
stitution as to render him fully sensible of his approaching disso- 
IntimL He visited successively all of his most intimate friends at 
their cabins and conversed with them upon the condition of the 
nation, in the most impressive and affecting manner. He told them 
that he was passing away, and his councils would soon be heard no 
more. He would run over the histoiy of his people from the most 
remote period to which his knowledge extended, and point out, vriiieh 
only few could do, the wrongs, the privations and the loss of charac- 
ter, which almost of themselves constituted that history. "I am 
about to leave," he said, "and when I am gone, and my warnings 
shall be no longer heard, or regarded, the craft and awice of the 
white man will prevail. Many winters have I braasted the storm, 
but I am an aged tree^ and can stand no longer. My leaves axe 
f alleUj my branches are withered, and I am shaken by every breese. 
Soon my aged trunk will be prostrate, and the foot of the exulting 
foe of the Indian may be placed upon it in safety for I leave none 
who will be able to avenge such an indignity. Think not I mourn 
for myself. I go to join the spirits of my fathen, where age can 
not oome: but my heart fails, when I think of my people, who are 
soon to be scattmd and forgotten." Theee several interviews were 
all concluded with detailed instructions respecting his domeslie 
affairs and his funeral. 

He died on the 20th of January, 1830, at his residence near Buf- 
falo. With him fell the spirit of his people. They gased upon his 
fallen form and mused upon his prophetic warnings, until their hearts 



268 APPENDIX 

fSnm weary with grisf. Wiidy has it been Mid, "Tims fell the 
]Mt of the Beoeeas.'^ 

The genius of Pontiae— or Pondiae, as he is often calle d wo uld 
have shown of itself that the xed man eoold possess all the higher 
f aentties of mind. The warrior saw his nation sinking befora the 
English power like the blighted leayes of his own forests, beneath 
the desolating breath of the hurrioane. His keen pereeptioii told 
him that a powerfol disease demanded a powerful remedy. He knew 
that half-way measures woold not answer; and like an able, eaotioiia 
but heroio general, he looked around, examined his material, eolleeted 
it, and at one fell swoop rolled the flres of death npon his foe. 

To imagine the eombination of the Ottawas, the Qhippewaa, the 
Pottawatomies, the Miamis, the Sacs, and several other tribes of the 
West, with a large nmnber of the Delawarea and Six Nations, was 
a grand conception; but the exertions whieh he adopted to carry 
it into effect, place Pontiae with the greatest and best of the eartli. 
The mutual animosity, fears and deep-rooted prejudices of these 
tribes had to be OToreome, their patriotism aroused and their eon- 
fldence in success fully answered, before a simultaneous attack, which 
was his object, could be made on the British posts of St Joseph, 
Qreen Bay, MichilimaekiTiae, Detroit, liCaumee, Sandusky, Niagara 
and Pittsburgh. Pontiac's matchless skill in effecting his design is 
fully proyed by a speech which he deUvered before some of the tribes 
at the river Aux Eeorses. The attack at last was ordered. The 
British lost nine forts and whole garrisons were c<»npletely massacred. 

Pontiae personally undertook the destruction of Detroit, but 
failed, owing, as many suppose, to treachery. 

Pontiae, like Peter of Bussia, evinced a great desire to learn the 
modes of English manufacture and European tactics, and absolutely 
offered an individual a large portion of his land, if he would conv^ 
him to England for that purpose. He is known to have issued bills 
of credit, and what is better, to have redeemed them. 

But we can indulge in conjectures at once pleasing and philo- 
sophical. You hold up Oadmus the inventor of letters as a glorious 
ornament of your Oancaaian race, and justly too; but has not the 
Indian his Oadmus fi What superiority have you over himf If his 
invention had been given a fair trial among redmen in time of peaee 
and prosperity, who can say the epic and the lyric, the essay and the 
oration, the biography and the history which would have sent the 
name of the red man down to a future, whose heart should thrill 
beneath his memory, and whose tongue might hymn his praises? 

1. Ctoorve GuMi, a Oherokeeb 



APPENDIX 209 

Again, theae luuophiftieated deniaene of tbe usahorn f oreit pM- 
MflMd in a high degree, that noble faculty which nuu like Mghtning 
flze through the world, mifid, warming Tiyifying and creating until 
the beautiful, augnat and gocQike, atart forth in entrancing lorelineaa 
and undying grandeur; the glory of man, and the ^noaure of time. 

Ideality, the lo^e of the beautiful and the grand, they produced 
the bard| he waa Ood's flrat apeaker, and drew down the life-giving 
flame, from the primal electric to the man reoeiYer. Why with aU 
their aparUUng, forcible, unique imagination, did the Indian progreaa 
no farther f Thia may perhapa be aceomvtied for by continuooa exertion 
and the abaolute neceeaity of aharpening the phyaical f acultiea which 
hia lot demanded. But after aU, had he not literature, unwritten 
to be aure, but effective? There are many things of service bedde 
booka. Yea, he had a literature, the literature aung in uniaon with 
the breeae aa it atruck ita harp of the wildemeaa, uttered in the grave 
eooncil and thrown from the burning lipa of eloquence. There la 
another literature alao; that written in marble, the poema of arch- 
itecture. Thia literature ia always the reault of religion, whatever 
other phaaea it may assume. Temples we know were the firat f abriea. 
A Uteratuxe auch aa thia the Indian did not feel in need of. He waa 
compelled to live moatly in the open air; hia nature called but little 
for ahelter; ao he made the boundlcaa foreat hia worahiping place, 
the ateadf aat aky waa ita dome, the winda ita choir, and the etenial 
lighta of the blue infinitude ita lampa. A right brave temple that, 
a temple which Qod built, and where angela might adore; a templs 
too with free aeata. 

If the auperioriky of the Indian mind ia atiU doubted, I would 
point you to hia conception of heaven with ita One Divinity, the all 
gracioua, aU potent, aJl omniacient, eternal Great Spirit; a heaven 
of beanty, with ita blue atreams and ^ging birds, a heaven far 
Buperior to any other eisept the Ghriatiana'. Ia there not intelleet 
in the conception of thia Indian heavenf la there not beauty in 
the wide stretching hunting groimds with their graceful animala, 
emerald trees and eryatal rivers, and over all the apirit of love throw- 
ing ita aoft aplendor, like a beautiful banner woven of annbeamaf 
Peaoel Peace everlaatingi A few moro yeara, a few more maaaaerea, 
a few more aigha, and not a deacendant of that people will stand 
upon the aoil of hia fathers. The very grave of the warrior will be 
nameless, hia dust mingled almoat witiiout a memorial with the vni- 
verae atoma. The tides of life wiU rueh over the ailent reafana of 
death, and the deep aea-like voice of other generationa riae where a 
lost people have not even left an eeho. And you the arrogant, what 
of yonf Look to the **iM^tdble, neoesaary law, of de$Uny." In 



270 APPENDIX 

tluee thooBand yean maj not two nations slumber, where but onlj one 
now lies in the iey pall of uneonseioiuneBS. 

Gts-wah-oo-wa, 

Nicholson Paskkb. 

* • TRAITS OF INDIAN CHARACTER * *i 
(See Chapter VI, page 77.) 

There is something in the eharaeter and habits of the North 
American native, taken in connection with the scenery amid which 
he was accustomed to range, — ^its vast lakes, boundless forests^ majes- 
tie rivers and trackless plains, — that to my mind is wonderfully 
stziUng and sublime. It is said that he is formed for the wilderness 
as the Arab is for the desert. True, it may be, inasmuch as we find 
that his nature is simple and enduring, fitted to grapple with dif&- 
eolties and to support privation. 

There seems but little soil in his heart for the growth of the 
kindly virtues, and yet if you would but take the trouble to penetrate 
that proud stoieism and habitual taciturnity which lock up his 
eharaeter from casoal observation you would find him linked to his 
fellow man of dviUzed life by more of those sympathies and affee- 
tions than are usually ascribed to him. 

It has been the lot of the unfortunate aborigines of America 
to be doubly wronged by the white man. They have been di^ossessed 
of their hereditary possessions by mercenary and frequently wanton 
warfare; and their character has been traduced by bigoted and inter- 
ested writers. The colonists often treated them like beasts of the 
forest; and here I shall endeavor to justify these outrages. The 
latter found it easier to eztenninate than to eivilise, the former 
to villif y than to discriminate. The appdlation savage and pagan 
were deemed sufiicient to sanction the hostilities of both; and 
thus the poor wanderers of the forest were persecuted and defamed, 
not because they were guilty but because they were ignorant. The 
rights of the native have seldom been properly appreciated or 
respected by the white man. In peace he has been the dupe of artful 
traffic; in war he has been regarded as a ferocious animal, whose 
life or death was a question of mere precaution and convenience. 
Mian is cruelly wasteful of life when his own safety is endangered 



1. An ontion by NIoholion H. Parker, deliTered at Ouumdaiguft, lUreh 7-flL 
186Sp in « lecture course oovcring two evcningi. Copied from the orlglaal 
manuacript. 



APPENDIX 271 

•ad he is sheltered bj impunity; and no merej is to be ezpeeted of 
him when he feels the sting of the reptile and is eonseions of the 
power to destroy. The same prejudiees which were indulged thus 
early, exist in eommon eirenlation at the present day. Oertain 
learned soeietieSy it is tnie, with landable diligence, ha^e endleaTored 
to investigate and record the real character and manners of the Indian 
race; the American gOT0nmient> too> has wisely and humanely 
ex»rted itself to ineuloate a friendly and forbearing spirit toward 
them, and to protect them from fraud and injustice. 

The current opinion of Indian character, however, is too apt to 
be formed from the miserable hoards that infest the frontiers and 
hang on the skirts of the settlements. These are too commonly 
composed of degenerate beings, corrupted and enfeebled by its 
"cdvilisation." 

That proud independence that once formed the main pillar of 
native virtue has been shaken down and the whole moral fabric lies 
in ruins. Their spirits are humiliated and debased by a sense of 
inferiority, and thus courage is cowed and daunted by the superior 
knowledge and power of their enlightened neighbors. Society has 
advanced ux>on them like one of those withering airs that sometimes 
breathe desolation over a whole region of fertility. It has enervated 
their strength, and multiplied their diseases and superinduced upon 
their original barbarity the low vices of artificial life. It has given 
them a thousand superfluous wants, whilst it has diminished the 
means of mere existence. It has often driven before it the animals 
of the chase, who fly from the sound of the axe and the smoke of the 
settlement, to seek refuge in the depths of the remoter forests and 
yet untrodden wilds. Thus do you often find the Indians on your 
frontiers to be mere wrecks and i«nmants of once powerful tribes 
who have lingered in the vicinity of settlements and sink into pre- 
carious and vagabond existence. Poverty, repining and hopeless out- 
look, cankers of the mind unknown in savage Ufe,— Hsorrode their 
spirits and blight every free and noble quality of their natures. 
They have become drunken, indolent, thievish, feeble and puaillam- 
mous. They loiter like vagrants about your settlements, among 
spacious dwellings replete with elaborate comforts, which only ren- 
der them sensible of the comparative wretchedness of their own 
condition. Luxury spreads its ample board before their eyes; but 
they are excluded from the banquet. Plenty revels over the fields; 
the whole wilderness has blossomed into a garden, but th^ feel as 
reptiles that infest it. 

How diiferent was their state, while yet the undisturbed lords 
of the soU! Their wants were few and the means of gratification 



272 APPENDIX 

within their reach. Thej saw everyone aroimd them Aaying the 
nine lot^ endnring the same ^ft''<^«J*^pft^ feeding on the same a^*" Mff i*f, 
arrayed in the tame nide garments. No roof tiien roee but was tiiea 
open to the homeiees stranger; no moke eorled among the trees, but 
he was weleome to sit down by its fire and join the hnnter in his 
repast <<For/' says an old histraian of New En^^d, ''their life 
is so Toid of eare, and they are so loving also, that they make use of 
thoee things they enjoy as eonmion goods, and are therein so eom- 
passionate, that rather than one should starve through want, they 
would starve aU. Thus do th^ pass their time merrily, not regarding 
yonr pomp, but are better contented with their own, whleh some men 
esteem so meanly of." Such were the Indians whilst in the pride 
and the energy of their primitive natures: th^ resemble those wild 
plants that thrive beet in the shades of their native forests, but shrink 
from the hand of cultivation and perish beneath the faflii«n«A of the 
sun. 

In dieenssiug the savage character writers have been too prone 
to indulge in vulgar prejudice and passionate exaggeration instead 
of the candid temper of true philosopher. They have not suifidently 
considered the peculiar dreumstances in which the Tw^iow lu^ve been 
plaeedi and the peculiar principles under which th^y have been 
educated. No being acts more rigidly from rule than the Indian. 
His whole conduct is regulated according to some general maxims 
early implanted in his mind. The moral laws that govern him, are, 
to be sure, but few; but then he conforms to them aU. The while 
man abounds in laws of religi<m, morals and manners, but how many 
does he violate I A frequent ground of accusation against the Indians 
is their disregard of treaties^ and the treachery and wantonness with 
which in times of peace th^ will suddenly fly to hostilities. The 
intercourse of the white men with the Tndians, however, is too apt 
to be cold, distrustful, oppressive and insulting. Th^ seldom treat 
with that confidence and frankness Tiiileh are indispensable to real 
friendship; nor is suf&cient cantion observed not to offend against 
those f eelingB of pride or Bui>erBtition, which often prompt the Indian 
to hostility quicker than mere considentian of interest. The sol- 
itary savage feels silently but acutely. His sensibilities are not 
diffused over so wide a surface as those of the white man, but run 
in steadier and deeper channels. His pride, his affection, his sup- 
erstitions are all directed towards fewer objects; but the wounds 
inflieted on them are proportionately severe, and furnish motives of 
hostility which you cannot sufBciently appreciate. Where a com- 
munity is also limited in number and forms one great patriarchal 
family, as in an Indian tribe, the injuiy of an individual is the 



APPENDIX 278 

injury of the whole, and the sentiinent of Yengeanee> is almost instan- 
taaeooslj diffused. One eonneil fire is soffleieat for the diseosslon 
and (the anaagement of a plan of hostilities. Here all the fighting 
aen and sages assemble. Eloquence and superstition combine to 
influence the minds of the warriors. The orators awaken their 
martial powers and ardour, and thej are wrought up to a kind of 
religious desperation by the vis&ons of the prophet and dreamer. 

An instance of one of these sudden exasperations arising from 
a motiye peculiar to the Indian eharaeter is extant in an old record 
of the early settlement of Massachusetts. The planters of Plymouth 
had defaced the monuments of the dead at Passonageesit and had 
pfamdered the graye of the sachem's mother of some skins with which 
it had been decoraied. The Indians are remarkable for the reverence 
which th^ entertain for the sepulchers of their kindred. Tribes 
that haTe passed generations exiled from the abodes of their ances- 
tora^ when again by chance th^ have been traveling in the vidnity, 
have been known to turn aside from the highway, and, guided by 
wonderfully accurate tradition, have crossed the country for miles 
to some tumulus, buried perhaps in woods, where the .bones of their 
tribesmen were anciently deposited, and there have passed hours in 
silent meditatimL Influenced by this snUime and holy feeling, the 
sachem whose mother's tomb had been violated, gathered his men 
together and addressed them in the following beautifully simple and 
pathetic harangue, a curious specimen of Indian eloquence, and an 
instance of filial piety in a savage: 
'When last the glorious light of all the sky was underneath this 
globe, and birds grew silent, I began as my custom is to take repose. 
Before mine eyes were fast dosed, methought I saw a vision at which 
my spiriit was much troubled; and, trembling at the doleful sightt 
a spirit cried aloud; 'Behold, my son, whom I have cherished, see 
the breasts that gave thee suck, the hands that lapped thee warm and 
fed thee oft! C^nst thou forget to take revenge on those wild people 
who have defaced my monument in a despiteful manner, disdaining 
our antiquities and honourable customs f See now, the sachem's grave 
lies like the common people defaced by an ignoble race. Thy mother 
doth complain and implores aid against this thievish people who 
have newly intruded on our land. If this be suffered I shall not 
rest quiet in my everlasting habitation.' This said the spirit, and 
I all in a sweat, not able scarce to speak, began to get s<xne strength, 
and recollected my spirits that were fled and determined to demand 
your council and assistance." 

I have adduced this anecdote at some length, as it tends to show 
how these sudden acts of hostility which have been attributed to 
caprice and perfidy, may often arise from deep and generous molives, 
which inattention to Indian character and customs prevents your 
properly appreciating. 



<< 



274 APPENDIX 

Another groiind of Tioleat ooftery against tho Indiam 10 tlieir 
barbarity to the yanqniflhed. This had its origin partly In {K^i^ 
and partly in snperstitioa. The tribes, though sometimes natioDS, 
were nerer so formidable in nnmbers but that the loss of several 
waniors was sensibly felt. This was partienkrly the ease whan 
they had frequently been engaged in warfare; and many an instanee 
oeenrs in Indian histoiy where a tribe that had long been formidable 
to its aelgfabon, has been broken up and driven away by the saptore 
and massaere of its prineipal lighting men. There was a strong 
temptation* therefore, to the yietor to be mereiless; not so mneh to 
gnixtj any emel revenge, as to provide for seenrity. The Indians 
had also a snpentituNis beUef , frequent among barbarous nations 
and prevalent also among the aneients, that the manes of their friends 
who had fallen in battle were soothed by the blood of eaptives. The 
prisoners, however, who are not thus eaerifloed, are adopted into their 
families in i^aee of the slain, and are treated with the eonjjdenee 
and the affeetion of relatives and friends; nay, so hoq;»itable and 
tender is their entertainment that when the alternative is offered 
them, they will often prefer to remain with their adopted brethren, 
rather that return to their homes and the friends of their yonthJ 

The eruelty of the Indians toward their prisoners has been 
heightened sinee the eolonisation of the whites. What was formerly 
eomplianee with poliey and superstition has broadened into a grat- 
ideation of vengeance. They cannot but be aeneible that the i^iUe 
men are the usurpers of their ancient domains, the cause of their 
degradation and the gradual destroyers of their race. They go forth 
to battle smarting with injuries and indignities which they have 
individually suffered^ and they are driven to madness and despair 
by the wide spreading desolation and overwhelming ruin of European 
mrfare. The whites have too frequently sent them an example of 
violence, by burning their villages and laying waste to their slender 
means of subsistence; and yet they wonder that savages do not show 
moderation and magnanimity toward those who have left them noth- 
ing but mere existence and wretchedness. 

You stigmatise the Indians also as cowardly and treacherous, 
because they use stratagem in warfare in preference to open force; 



S. An Indian onoe capturedp who conMnti to adoption by hia vlctorioua foe» 
cooaidera himaelfp and ia conaidered by hia own tribe, aa IcgaUr dead. Onoe 
adopted by hia conqueron, he foraweara hia birth-tribe, oooidera hlmadl diToraed 
from hia wile and family, and henceforth pledged loyalty to the tribe of hii 
adoption, manying and rearing another family. The cM>tive who WM tortured by 
hli enemy conaidered it an honor and felt that he waa not to be d a mw i nfd bj 
being forced to foraake hia own tribe and the prinoiplea for which it fdaght. Thoi^ 
hiadeath long waa one of defiance and of inault to hia foea, while it axtolkd the 
▼Irtuea and pro we a a of hia own people. — A.C.P. 



APPENDIX 275 

but in this thej are jtutiiied hy their rude eode of honor. They* are 
earlj taught that stratagem ia praiaeworthj; the bravest warrior 
thinks it no di^graee to hirk in silenee and take every advantage of 
his foe, and he triumphs in the superior eraft and sagaeitj by whieh 
he has been enabled to surprise and destroy an enemy. Indeed, man 
is natnral^y more prone to snbtility tiian open valor, owing to his 
physieal weakness in eomparison with other animals^ They are 
endowed with naftoral powers of defense; with bonis, with tusks, with 
hoofii, with talons; bat man has to dspcnd npon his superior sagaelty. 
In an his eneoonters with these his proper enemies^ he resorts to 
stratagem and when he perversely tome his hostility against his 
fellow man, he at flrst eontinnes his subtle mode of warfare. 

The aatnial prineiple of war ia to do the most harm to our 
ensmy with the least harm to ourselves, and this, of eonrse, is to be 
effected by stratagem. That ehivalrous courage that induces you to 
despise the suggestions of prudeuee and to rush into the fiMS of 
certain danger, is the ofEqpring of polite society, and produced by 
edosation. It is hononble because it is in Ujs^ the triumph of lofty 
sentiment over an iostinetive repugnance to pain, and over the 
yearnings after personal ease and security, (which society has con- 
demned as ignoble). It is kept alive by pride and the fear of shame; 
and thus the dread of real evil is overcome by imagination. It has 
been cherished and stimulated also by various means. It has been 
the theme of spirit stirring song and chivalrous story. The poet 
and the minstrel have delighted to shed around it the splendors of 
Action, and even the historian has forgotten the sober gravity of 
narration and broken forth into enthusiastic rhapsody in its praise. 
Triumphs and gmrgeous pageants have been its reward; monuments, 
on wliieh art has exhausted its skill, and opulence its treasures, have 
been erected to perpetuate a nation's gratitude and admiration. 
Thus artilleially excited courage has arisen to an extraordinary and 
fictitious degree of heroism; and, arrayed in all the prions ''pomp 
and cireumstance of war," this turbulent quality has even been able 
to eclipse many of those quiet virtues which silently ennoble the 
human character, and swell the tide of human happiness. 

But if courage intrinsically consists in the defiance of danger 
and pain, the life of the Indian is a continual exhibition of it. He 
Uves in a state of perpetual hostility and risk. Peril and adventure 
are congenial to his nature; or rather seem necessary to arouse his 
faculties and to give an interest to his existence. Surrounded by 
hostile tribes, whose mode of warfare is by ambush and surprisal, he 
is always prepared for Ught and lives with his weapons in his hands. 
As the ship careens in fearful singleness through the solitudes of 



276 APPENDIX 

the ooeau; as the bird mingles among elonda and atonna^ and wingi 
ita waj, a mere apeek acroaa the pathlesa air; to the Indian holda hia 
oonrsei eilent, aolitazyi but nndaxmted threngh the boondleas boaom 
of the wildemesa. 

His expeditiona may Tie in diirtance and danger with the pil- 
grimage of the devotee or the emaade of the knight errant. He 
trayerses vast forests, eiposed to the hazards of lone^ sickness, of 
lurking enemies, and passing famine. Btormj lakes, those great 
inland seas, are no obstacles to his wanderings; in his light canoe of 
bark, he sports like a feather on their wayes^ and darts with the swift- 
ness of an arrow down the roaring rapids of the rivers. His very aab- 
sistence is snatched from the midst of toil and perlL He gains his 
food by the hardships and dangers of the chase; he wraps himself 
in the spoils of the bear, the panther, and the buffalo; and he sleeps 
among the thunders of the cataract. No hero of ancient or modem 
days surpasses the Indian in his lofty contempt of death, and the 
fortitude with which he sustains its crudest affliction. Indeed you 
here behold him rising superior to the white man in consequence of 
his peculiar education. The latter rushes to glorious death at the 
cannon's mouth; the former calmly contemplates its approach and 
trixmiphantly endures it amidst the varied torments or surrounding 
foes and the protracted agonies of fire. He even takes pride in taunt- 
ing his persecutors and in provoking their ingenuity of torture; and 
as the devouring flames prey on his very viteJa and the flesh shrinks 
from the sinews, he raises his last song of triumph, breathing the 
defiance of an unconquered heart, and in invoking the spirits of his 
fathers to witness that he dies without a groan. 

Notwithatanding the obloquy with which the early historians 
have overshadowed the characters of the unfortunate natives, some 
bright gleams occasionally break through to a degree of melancholy 
luster on their memories. Facts are occasionally to be met vnth in 
the rude annals of the eastern provinces, which though recorded with 
the coloring of prejudice and bigotry, yet speak for themselves, and 
will be dwelt upon with applause and sympathy when prejudice shall 
have passed away. 

In one of the homely narratives of the Indian wars in New 
England there is a touching account of the desolation carried into 
the tribe of the Pequot Indians. Humanity shrinks at the cold- 
blooded detail of indiscriminate butchery. In one place we read of 
the surprise of an Indian fort at nighty when tiie wigwams were 
wrapped in flames and the miserable inhabitants shot down and 
slain in attempting to escape, — "all being despatched and ended in 
the course of an hour." After a series of similar transactions — 



APPENDIX 



277 



K 



% 



% 



•^ 






'i\ 



5f 



9 

:<l 






i\ \ 



IIDIM 

HISTORICAL 

LECTURES, 

IIY 



Thw tAltfiitvd younff Indian, a denccndont of the imquoM, wiO 
give two M*l«et Lrctora, on the 





Their Manii«ra^.Cti8foais,«Natioiinl Fo«tiyi- 
ticti, CuKtumes, Literature, and liolitfitfn. to 
the citizens of CAIVANDAIGUA, in the 

simnm hall, 

ox 

MONDAY AND TUESDAY EVENINGS, 

The 7th and 8th of Maroh, 1853. 

(^\-|.WAll-<;O.WA, tealirotheruf DO-NIIllKXiAAVAU, 
or Kl} S. VAtVvr, of lloolifitcr, N. \\ who i» Hind ('hi«f (if iht- 
Six NatioiH. tiii«l iviN'iilIv nckiion Icdprtnl .■» inK*h l>y (lOV. Si'Vii- 
:iii«l io a <lHtiii:;iii<4hiiI I'nil Ki):;iiiet:r iu tho (iovcnifniMiT K't «B 
l(«'i'W»h<ir<>-u«s (Niiholnx II. Parker) ia aftkenpt^ifu of the ft i 
Ml* AlMirit;in<M'«iirtlit>«-oiiiitr}'. He poww c j twtiniouiah of a thuT' 
oiit'li ••fliii-tlioii, nii.l iiiitlw |Hiwcr« of cloqueiioi*, and tilU iiotloil 
ti>uittri*oi :iii\ iiiirllii^'iitmidiciice, that niav lift iMi to bin «l«*)i^e- 
atiiMi «if Indian lli'-torx. OiaRii^ter iin<l Trailitionv 

Till' IavIiux-s uill U* dflixi ivd in full ludiau o".taiiw. 

LiMiiires to ct>niiuoncc at 7 1-^ o'clock. 
Athnission 12 1-2 Cents. 



Prmtad ai ibe Onurie Meftrngrr OiBc*, «>iinNadaifM 



a^^Mi^^^^W 




POSTER OF LECTURE BY NICHOLSON H. PARKER, 1858 



278 APPENDIX 

''oor Mldiar%" m the Idatonan piooify obeervet, "being ne61v«d 
by God's aawiitonee to nuUie a final dettraction of them" — the 
nnhappj nyagei were hunted from their hmnee and for t re oflo e and 
pnrmied with fire and eword, a seanty but gallant band, the sad 
remnants of the Pequot warriors took refuge in a swamp. BumlBg 
with indignation and rendered sullen by despair, with hearts bosst- 
Ing with grief at the destraetion of their tribe^ and spirits galled 
and sore at the fancied ignominy of their defeat, they refused to 
•ask their lives at the hands of an insulting foe, and preferred death 
to submission. As the night drew on they were surrounded in their 
dismal retreat so as to render escape impraetieable. Thus situated* 
their enemy "plied them with shot all the time, by whieh means 
many were killed and buried in the mire." In the dsrlrness and 
fog that preceded the dawn of day, some few broke through the 
besiegers and escaped into the woods. "The rest were left to the 
conquerors, of which many were killed in the swamp like sullen dogs 
who would rather in their self willedness and madness, sit still and 
be shot to pieces than implore mercy." When the day broke upon 
this handful of forlorn but dauntless spirits, the soldiers, we are 
told, entering the swamp, "saw several heaps of them sitting dose 
together upon wliom tl^y dlKharged their pieces, laden with ten or 
twelve pistol bullets at a time, putting their muzdes of their pieces 
under the boughs within a few yards of them; so as beside these 
that were found dead, many more were killed and sunk in the mire, 
and never were mindful more of friend or foe." 

Oan anyone read this unvarnished tale without admiring the 
stem resolution, the unbending pride, the loftiness of spirit that 
seemed to nerve the hearts of these self-taught heroes and raise them 
above the instinctive feeUngs of human nature! When the Gauls 
laid waste the city of Bome th^ found the Senators clothed in their 
robes and seated with stem tranquility in their curule chairs; in this 
manner th^ suffered death without resistaaee or even supplication. 
Bach conduct was in them applauded as noble and magnanimous; in 
the hapless Indians it was reviled as obstinate and suUen. How 
truly are you the dupes of show and eireomstance! How different is 
virtue clothed in purple and enthroned in state, from virtue naked 
and destitute, and perishing in obscurity in a wilderness! 

But I forbear to dwell on these gloomy pictures. The eaatem 
tribes have long since dissppeared; the f<Mrest that rtieltered them 
has been laid low and scarce any traces of them remain in the thieUy 
settled states of New England, excepting here and there the Indian 
name of a village or stream. And such, sooner or later, must be the 
fate of these other tribes who have oeeasionally been inveigled from 



APPENDIX 279 

their f orMla to min^e in the wan of white men. A littte whiles and 
they will go the way that their brethren have gone bief ore. The few 
hordee that still linger about the shores of Hnron and Saperior and 
the tributary waters of the Mississippi will share the fate of those 
tribes that spread over Massachusetts and Oonneelioiit and bordered 
along the proad banks of the Hudson; of that gigantie raoe said to 
have existed on the borden of the 8uaq[nehanna; of those yarioms 
nations that floniidied about the Potomac and Bappahannoek and 
that peopled the forests of the vast valley of Shenandoah. They 
will vaniidi like the vapor from the face of the earth; their very 
history will be lost in forgetfulness, and "plaees that now know 
them will know them no more forever I" Or, if perehanee some 
dubious memorial of them should survive, it may be in the romantie 
dreams of the poet, to people in imagination his glades and groves, 
like the fauns and satyrs and sylvan deities of antiquity. But should 
he venture upon the dark story of their wrongs and wretehednesSy 
should he tell how they were invaded, eorm^ted, despoiled, drivoi 
from their abodes and sepulchers of their fathen, hnntad like wild 
beasts about the earth and sent down with violenee and butehety to 
the grave, posterity will either turn with horror and incredulity from 
the tale or Mush with indignation at the inhumanity of their fore- 
fathers. 

''We are driven back," said an old warrior, "until we can 
retreat no further; our hatchets are broken, our bows are saappedy 
our iires are extinguished. A little longer and the white man iHll 
cease to persecute us, for we shall cease to ezietl " 

' * INDIAN DANGBS AND THBIB INFLUBNOB ' 'i 

(See Chapter YI, psge 77.) 

With the red race at large dancing is regarded as a thanks- 
giving ceremonial acceptable in itself to the Great Spirit, Ma-w^f^ 
ai-yii^ and they are also taught to regard it as a divine art, designed 
for their pleasure and His worship. 

It is ohcrished as one of the most suitable modes of social inter- 
course between the sexes, but more especially as the instrumentality 
for arousing patriotic excitement and keeping sHve the qpirit of the 
nation. Popular enthusiasm breaks forth in this form and these 
dances arise as a spontaneous product of the Indian mind. 



1. A poitioa of % lecture by NIcbdIeoD H. Pwiicr. 



280 APPENDIX 

ynx^ their wild miiiie of songs and xatilesy th«ir di^wsLties of 
step and attitodei their graoe of motion and their spirit-stirring 
associations^ thej contain within themselTes both a pietore and a 
realiaaition of savage life. 

The first impressive emotions of wliieh the Indian youth is een- 
scious is kindled bj the danee^ the first impulses of patriotism^ the 
earliest dreams of ambition, are aroused by their inspiring infin- 
enees. In their patriotie religions and social danoes, into which thej 
are properly divided^ resides the soul of Indian life. The danee 
serves as a mighty bond by which they are mdted, it stimulates to 
deeds of dazing and feeds the patriotic flame. It ezercises an 
overpowering influence in arousing Indian spirit and in forming the 
Indian character, and hence is of vast importance to them, The 
great tenacity with which the Indians hold on to their dances for- 
nishes conclusive evidence of the mighty hold they have npon the 
affections of the people. When these attractions and peculiarities 
are neutralized they will virtually cease to be Indians. 

A mourning council of Genesee was held in 1846 to raise up 
sachems. There were about 600 Iroquois present representing all of 
the Six NatLons. On the second day the Great Feather Dance was 
performed by a select band of Onondaga and Seneca dancers. A 
white gentleman (Lewis H. Morgan) who was present and witnessed 
it remarked that he then for the flrst time realised the magical 
influence which these dances have upon the Indians. "It was impos- 
sible even for the spectators/' he Bays, ''to resist the general 
enthufliftflm. ^ ' 

It was remarked to Abraham La Fort, an educated Onondaga 
sachem, that they would be Indians forever if they held to these 
dances. He replied that he knew it and that for that reason he would 
be the last to give them up. 

The War Dance and the Great Feather Dance are the two great 
performances of the Iroquois. One has a patriotic and the other 
a religious character, yet at the same time both are costume dances. 
They are performed by a select band of from fifteen to thirty who 
are distinguished for their power of endurance and of activity. Of 
the two the War Danee stands prominent. It is the dance for enlist- 
ment on perilous expeditions, as it is the dance that precedes the 
departure of the war party and with which their return is celebrated; 
of adopting captives and for the entertainment of guests, and henoe 
is the first to be taught the young. 

In the War Dance the attitudes are those of the violent passions 
and hence are not very graceful. In this dance may be seen at the 
same time or instant one in the attitude of attack, another of the 



APPENDIX 281 

defeofe; one drawing the bow, another striking with the war dob; 
others listening and others striking the foe. Notwithstanding that 
the dance elieits the manifestfttion of the passions, with unooath 
attitades and oontortions of ooontenanee, still the wild musie, the 
supple aetlTity, the rattles of the danee, make a seeae of no ordinary 
interest. 

In the oeremonj th^ group themselves within a dreolar area, 
standing etrietly together. The singers eommenee their songs, beat- 
ing time upon their drams, and the danoers make the floors resound 
with agile foot. Each war song lasts about two minutes, followed 
with an interval of about the same length. These war songs are 
verses or measured sentences. The war whoop always precedes each 
song. It is given bj the leader and answered hj the band, A de- 
scription of this thrilling outbreak of human voices is out of the 
power of language to express. 

In this danee any one is at liberty to make a speech at any 
stage of the danee. His desire is manifested by a rap, at the sound 
of which the dance oeases and all is silent until the message is deliv- 
ered. Then comes the war whoop, the response by the band, followed 
again by the music and the dance. 

All who make speeches on these oeeasions are expected to make 
a present to the dancers at the close of their speech. In this way 
they give variety and great amusement. The speeches are generally 
short, being only a few words or sentences at most. They may be 
a patriotic ebulition of feeling, or witticism, or an exhortation. Some 
are welcomed with jeers, some with rounds of applause and some with 
solemnity. 

As an illustration of this part of the amusement I will give one, 
two or more specimens as th^ occurred at a war dance within my 
memory. 

At the close of a time, a rap was made by Hah-sgwih-sa-ooh, a 
jolly chief who was very fond of fire-water. He spoke as follows: 

"Friends and relatives: I am much pleased with the dance and 
hope that it will continue to be well sustained. I return my thanks to 
the war dancers for the spirit with which they perform their duty. I 
wish them all prosperity and long life. If any one should lo<^ at 
me they will find that I keep my eyes fixed upon the dancers; and, 
furthermoore that I have a good eye, so much so that one would think 
I wore glasses. I take from my pocket a shilling for the dancers. ' ' 

He gave them the money. The war whoop, the musie and the 
danee were resumed. At its end 8ha-do-wa-noh rapped and made 
a reply to the other as follows: 



282 APPENDIX 

"Friends and reUttYes: We have jmt heard wMne one on thA 
other ride of the'houae aniionnee that he has an eje eo bright that 
one would think he wore epeetaelee. Bnt as he has a pair of zed 
eyee, we must I lappOM, eonelnde thai he means zed speetades." 

He then gave tobaoco to the daneezs. The hit upon the infizm- 
ity of the first speaker was xeoeived with zoonds of applause^ after 
whifih the danee went on as osoaL 

Among the daneen was a warrior of herenleaa proportions^, so 
mueh so that he mi^t with pzopzietj be called a giants He fur- 
nished the theme for the next speeeh whieh was bj Hah-sa-no-a^deh, 
as follows: 

"Friends and zelatives: I admize the ease and gzaee with whieh 
Sha-go-a-o-grwns. manages his wonderful proportions. He has ever/ 
reason to be proad of his sise and dignity. I propose to give him 
a present of two pings of tobaeeo, sappoeing that it will be mffleient 
for one qold." 

After the merriment had sabrided and the next danee was over, 
the giant replied: 

"Friends and relatives: I retom mj thanks to Hah-sa-no-ardehy 
for his present. I assure him that mj intelleetaal oapaeitj eorre- 
sponds very jnstly with mj phyrieal dimenwions. I hope that mj 
brother will pnbli^ mj fame from the rising to the setting son.'' 

Thns thej proceeded with speeehes and replies, till finaUj a 
speeeh of more serions east was made by Da-gdi-sa-deh, a dirtin- 
gnished chief, in whieh he said: 

"Friends and relatives: We have reason to glory in the achieve- 
ments of our ancestors. I behold with sadness the present declining 
state of our noble race. Once, warlike yell and painted hand were 
the terror of the white man. Thm our fathers were strong and their 
power was felt and acknowledged far and wide over the American 
continent. But we have been reduced and broken by the winning and 
rapadty of the white race. We are now compelled to erave as a 
bleasing that we may be allowed to live upon our own lands, to 
cultivate our own fields, to drink frtmi our own spring and to min|^ 
our bones with- those of our fathers. Many winters ago our wise 
ancestors predieted that a great monster with white eyes would come 
from the east and as he advanced would oonsume the land. This 
monster is the white race and the prediction is near its fulfilment. 
They (our ancestors) advised their children when they became weak 
to plant a tree with four rootk, branching to North, the South, the 
East and tiie West; and then collecting under its shade to dweQ 
together in unity and harmony. This tree I propose shall be at 



J 



APPENDIX 288 

▼eiy ipot. Here we will gather, here we will live and here we wffl 

These speeimene will give Bome idea of the manner of eondaoting 
a war danee and its vaiietj of entertainments. 

Next in publie estimatimi is the Great Feather Danee. It is a 
religioos danee being eonseerated to the worship of the G^reat Spirit. 
It is performed by a seleet band of from fifteen to thirty or more in 
full eostnme, and is used ehieflj at religions f estiTals and on the meet 
important oeeasions of Indian lif ew It is the meet graeefol, splendid 
and impresaiTe of all the danees, requiring more flezibOity of person, 
more graeefnlness of nelion and greater power of endnranee than 
any other danee. Herein is a kind of elimaz of the <iiMyi»«g art» at 
least in Indian life, and it may be seriously qnestioned if a flgare 
eaa be f oond even in eivilised life whieh iHll folly eompare with 
this in those partieolars whieh make up a graeeful and spirited danee. 

The muaiie Is furnished by two singers seated in the eenter of 
the room, eaeh using a rattle. It eonsiats of songs, or measured 
v e r se s of about two minutes in lengtli; these are religions songs in 
whieh they praise Ha-wen-e-yuh or the G^reat ^irlt for His many 
bleoaings in nature or suppUeate His eontinued merey. 

The rattles are made of turtle shdl and are used to beat tfaae 
to the songs as an aeeompaniment. 

In s<Mne respeets this danee is like the ftrst, via^, the singing 
eeases at short intervals, the danee is suspended and the performers 
walk arcmnd the eommon eenter to the beat of the rattlea at half time. 
Boon another song eommenees, the rattles quieken the time and the 
danee is renewed. 

Bometlmeo in the middle of the song there is a change in the 
beat of time and the muaie, aeeompanied hj a alight cessation of the 
danee^ after whieh it beeomes more animated than before. Thua it 
goea on with ita variety of undnlations. 

The leader, standing at the head of the eofamm, opens the danee, 
followed by those behind. Now they advance slowly around the 
room and as they dance, geatare witii their arms and place their 
bodiea in a great variety of poaltiona. They do not aeek to portray 
the violent paasiona, but only the gentle and graeeful. 

Each foot in succession is raised from two to six inches from 
the floor and the heel brought down with great f oroe as often aa the 
rattlea beat Sometimea one foot is brou|^t down two or three timea 
before aUemating with the others. When it ia remembered thai the 
rattles beat two or three times a second and the feet must keep time 
with that, you get a little idea of the surprising activity of the dance. 
The stamping of the foot upon the floor answers the double purpose 



284 APPENDIX 

of wha.kiiig the knee rattles on the oofltnme and of adding to the ooiio 
and animation of the dance. 

The daneera are generally naked to the waitft ezeept the ox]i»- 
meats upon the neck and arms, by whieh means they not only add 
to the piotnresqaeness of the perf armero bnt are better fitted for 
their herenlean exertions which are so severe that the vapor of sweat 
makes a literal smoke from their backs before tl^y are through. In 
this way they seek to test each other's powers of endurance, and it 
is not uncommon for some to yield to their utter exhaustion and 
retire from their dance before it is finidked. When one distinguishes 
himsfilf for a spirited and graceful performance he is called out hj 
the spectators and placed at the head of tJie band. In this way 
several changes frequently occur during the dance. 

The women join in this dance if th^ choose but they enter hj 
themselyes at the foot of the column and in their ocdinaiy dresa. 
Thioir step is entirely unlike that of the male. They move sidewise^ 
simply raising themselves altematdy upon each foot from heel to 
toe and then bringing down the heel upon the floor at each beat of 
the rattle, keeping pace with the slowly advancing column. The 
females in the dance are both quiet and graceful 

The war dance is usually performed in the evening and is only 
employed on important occasions or at domestic councils of unusual 
interest. Fifteen make a full company but frequently twenty-five 
or thirty engage in this dance. 

After the cares of the day are laid aside and as the Aades of 
night set in, preparations begin for the dance. The people are 
attracted to the council house in great numbers to witness this popular 
entertainment. They quietly wait for the coming of the dancers 
who make their arrangements in another house, appointing their 
leaders and singers, arraying themselvee in their costumes, painting 
and decorating, superintended by the Keeper of the Faith. 

Keepers of the Faith are what you might call managers at a 
ball, only with them it is an hereditary ofAce, supposed by them to 
have been appointed by the Great Spirit, to attend and see that all 
regulations of His Divine will are executed. Hence it is the duty 
of the Keeper of the Faith, when a dance of any character is on foot, 
but more especially when it is of a religious character, to see that 
all regulations ai« strictly observed. 

The war whoop now and then breaks in the stillness of the night, 
informing the waiting multitude that they u^ forthcoming. 

During this preparation a Keeper of the Faith engages the 
attention of the people by addressing them on the nature, object and 
importance of this dance. 



APPENDIX 286 

Now nearer tiie war whoop ringa tbroagh the air, aanonnomg the 
approach of the daneers. Headed by their leader and mft^r^fiiiiiig jn 
single file to the beat of the drum th^ approach the eonneil honaew 
As they come up the erowd givee way, the leader eroBsee the 
threshold followed by his decorated band and immediately the dance 
18 opened. They group themselves within a einsular area, standing 
thick together. The singers commence the war song, beating time 
upon their drums, and the dancers make the floor resound with agile 
foot. 

It is quite impossible to give a perfect description of the step 
and attitude of these dancers. With the whites I observe the dandug 
is entirely on the tip-toe of the foot, with rapid change of position 
and but alight changes of attitude. But with the Iroquois it is 
very different. With them it is chiefly upon the heel with slow 
changes of positions and rapid changes of attitude. The heel is 
raised and brought down with great quickness and force in order 
to keep time to the beat of the drum, to make noise and to shake 
the knee rattles, all of which add pomp and circumstance to the 
occasion. 

The shuiBe dance is executed in a peculiar manner by alternately 
moving one foot slightly forward of the other, but neither at any 
tine leaving the ground or floor. The advance movement is quite 
rapid, and the elderly women make very graceful movement ^Ith 
their hands, arms and heads, keeping the body stiff and erect. 

The dance, for the dead is executed by tbe women alone, with 
the exception of the men songsters whom the women have selected. 
For some reason this dance at one time was required to be commenced 
in the middle of the afternoon, terminating at twilight. Subse- 
quently it commenced at dusk and ended at midnight. Later yet it 
commenced at any time after dark and continued until the dawn of 
the next morning. The two men songsters commenced the song, the 
women all joining in the chorus, accompanying the same with a slow- 
snake-like forward motion of the feet, the body erect and quite rigid. 
The feast is a duty and not to be partaken by women in certain 
peculiar conditions. These feasts, owing to their mournful character, 
were not often held but they were regarded as essential to the peace 
and quiet of the departed spirits. The feast, like all others, was 
composed of hominy or cracked com, boiled with meat, hulled or 
whole Seneca com, boiled with meat, and Seneca corn bread, plain 
or mixed with dried berries. 

The Death Dance can only be called by the female Keepers of 
the Faith, approved by the male members of the order. 



286 APPENDIX 

Tlie daneei a» nearly alwv* Meompuiied and dosed If jr a 
feast and can be given bjr anj one either by day or night. They 
are often eiedited to nnweaned infants, though the danee is seleeted 
and the feast provided by the mother. BIek persons are freqnentlT' 
the pnnnoters of the daneee and feasts, and iHIl join in some cms 
danee if aMe to walk, and if not are led aroond by some kind fnand. 

The danees and feasts are held solely and porely for aoeial 
purposes and innoeent pleasure, and are always enjoyed alike by the 
young and old of both seiesw 

There are a few speeial danees whieh are not eommon pfupe r ty 
and therefore eannot be ordered by indiTidoals; sneh for instanoa 
as the Grand Feather Daneeu 



A LBTTOB FBOM BLY 8. PABKBB TO HIS PBOPLB 

BXPLAININa THE NEW ULW BRAPTED FOB 

THEIB BENEFIT AND PBOTEOTION. 

(See Chapter X) 

March 4, 1861. 
Dear Fathkb: 

I send yon my eommnnieation to the Indians at Tonawanda eon- 
coming our doings at Albany. I have had no time to copy it or to 
put it into better shape, but I think it embodies everything I want 
to say to the Indians. 

The letter must be carefully studied either by Newton or, 
Oaroline before it is read to the €k)uneil. The matter requires much 
thought and consideration. In my humble opinion it is a very good 
thing for the Indians and I hope that they will conclude to enjoy 
its benefits. 

Upon my return I find that my work has aceomulated and 
requires my immediate attention, hence the delay in writing to yon. 

Spring is beginning to open upon us and my work will soon 
begin to increase materially. In a few days I am going down the 
river about 300 miles and shall be absent about two weeks. My 
health is very good and I trust you and the family are well. 

From your son, 

Ely S. PABKia. 

Wic Pabkb, Esq., 

Inditm Chile f, 
Tonawanda Ind. Bee. 
New York. 



APPENDIX 287 






Ml 



I 



^ DUBUQUB, Meh. 2nd, 1861. 



fgK To the OaroB and Pioplb of thb Tohawaniml BAin> /^ 

wii OF SnrTCA Imdians: — 

I aend you gieetliig, and invoke the Qfeat Spiiit that it may be 
]p8^ His will that thia, mj eominnni<mt1on, may reaeh joa and And yoQ 

m «n enjoying health and pro^Mirity. As for myeeif, the Great l^irit 

has locdnd kindly upon me^ and I am in good health. 

8ome time rinee yon d e leg a ted me to go to Albany, N. Y., and 
eonjoiBtly with Mr. MartindalOi to go before the Legidatue and ask 
for the enaetment of soeh laws as in onr opinion we might eoneeive 
to be for the benefit and welfare of onr Band at Tonawanda. I 
am now about to xepoit to yon what we did. 

And first let me say, that I regretted veiy mneh my inability 
to visit you, and looking upon you all to have made my report ver- 
bally. But I was under orders from Wadiington to return here by 
a etftain day, which eompelled me to pass you by. 

ml- 

I will now, in as few words as poasibley relate to you idiat we 
did. When I left here I had no definite idea of the particular 
things our friend Mr. Martindale had upon his mind and in whieh 
he desired my assistance in your behalf. When I reached Boehester 
he gave me an insight into his views. He was engaged in Court 
and could not at once proceed to Albany. I went on myself to 
Albany with a view of ascertaining the L^iislative feeling respecting 
the Indians. I found a very friendly feeling and so wrote to Mr. 
Martindale. He came to Albany, reaching that place on the morning 
of the 20th February. He brought with him a bill partially prepared 
embodying all the legislation which was deemed necessary for the 
protection and improvement of the Tonawanda Band of Seneoas. We 
examined this together, and after agreeing upon every point, he 
went the same day (20th) to New Torkj leaving me to put every- 
thing in shape to present for the action of the Legislature. 

I win now tell you what it was, and after I have gone through 
with what we have asked the Lawmakers at Albany to do for us, I 
will then give the main reasons that influenced us in this matter. 

We have asked to become a Law providing for the election by 
the Tonawanda Band of Senecas of three Peacemakers, one Treas- 
urer, one derk and one marshal (constable). All male Indians, 



288 APPENDIX 

members of said band over the a^ of 20 yean to be entitled to 
vote. The Peaeemakers are to be selected fxvmi among the ehiefiiy 
and thej have duties enjoined upon them similar to the exvil dotias 
enjoined up<» justices of the peace by i^te people. They are to 
hear and determine upon all diffieultxes between Indians arising 
from trespass, violations of contraets or agreements and other wroaga 
committed, where the damages claimed do not ezeeed one hondred 
dollars. Where the amount in controversy exceeds one hundred 
dollars, one Indian may sue another in the courts of the State in the 
same manner and with like effect as controversies between white nsM. 
These Peacemakers have jurisdiction only in diifieultieo botwosa 
Indiana. If any Indian refuses to pay any judgment detsnninad 
against by the Peacemakers in favor of another Indian, he may be 
sued upon the judgment before any justice of the peace in the county 
and the judgment collected in the same manner as from a white man. 
The Peacemakera will receive a salary not exceeding fifty dollars a 
year, payable semi-annually. 

The clerk will keep records of all elections, 'and the proceedings 
of all councils held by the Chiefs and Peacemakers. He will receive 
a salary not exceeding fifty dollars a year. 

The Treasurer will keep all moneys belonging to the Band, 
paying them out only by order of a council of chiefs. He is required 
to give security for the faithful performance of his duties, and wiU 
receive such eompensation as the chiefs may detexminob 

We have asked that the share of the Tonawanda Band of Seneeaa 
of the State annuity be hereafter paid directly to the Treasurer of 
said Band of Indians. 

In the law we prohibit white men from buying timber, wood, 
ties, staves, shingles, bark or plaster from any Indian or Indians, 
if taken from lands unoccupied by any individual Indian, and reeog- 
nized as the common property of the Band. 

The law provides that any Indian of said Band may select a 
piece of land not fenced in and not occupied by any other Indian 
after describing it and obtaining the consent of the Chiefs in couneil 
assembled. The chiefs are Required to base their consent to such 
appropriation of land by any Indian upon just and equitable ground, 
having always in view the interests of such as may come after us 
(that is, posterity). The decision and description must be entered 
by the dork in a book kept for that purpose. 

We prohibited all white persons fr(Hn leasing lands of any 
Indian, or working Indian lands upon shares. 

An Indian having a piece of ground allotted to him, in clearing 
it up for cultivation may sell any wood, timber, ties, staves, shingles, 



APPENDIX 289 

baric or plastar tbat he may And on his ground^ but he ahaD sot have 
thia privilege npon any land reeognixed as the joint or common 
property of the Band. (Laying out and making roads.) 

Sneh, my people, are the general pnyTisions of the law, wfaidi 
oar friend and eonnsellor Mr. Martindale and myself have asked 
the Legislatore at Albany to enaot for ns. 

And now, listen farther, and I wUl give you a few general rea- 
sons that have influenced us in taking this course: 

Pirst then^ I want you all to bear in mind, that we straggled 
for over 20 years, against the determined policy of land speeulaton 
to drive us from our Tonawanda homes. There were times in the 
history of the struggle when we seemed to be enveloped in utter 
darkness, and our wise men were lost in doubt irhaX to do. We had 
no friends to advise us, and our own people, and our relations by 
blood, turned against us. Amid all this perplexity and when it 
appeared morally certain that we muat be driven out of our Tona- 
wanda homes and despoiled and robbed of our lands, we found 
friends in Yerplanck and Martindale. By their ingenuity they inter- 
posed legal obstacles^ preventing the immediate execution of the 
treaties which hung over our heads. Mr. Martindale was an himest 
man, and he proved a true friend to us. He made our interests his 
own, and prosecuted our views of our rights, until at length it 
resulted in securing to us permanent homes at Tonawanda. We no 
longer have a pre-emption right laying upon our lands. The lands 
we have now we own from the surface to the center and from the 
surf ace as high as the heavens. Our old men used to say, that our 
right to our lands lay only upon the surface, but now we can say 
that we own it to the center. Having acquired such a strong hold 
upon our ground, it was then considered, in what other matters did 
your interests require protection and in what manner eould your 
improvement be permanently secured or advanced. 

Mr. Martindale is a wise man. He has a great love for the 
Tonawandaa. He respects their chiefs and all the people. But 
during the time he has labored for them he has seen that although 
a ehief is held in esteem by his people, he is not obeyed by them. He 
has seen and understood that although a chief in olden times mi^t 
have had great power with his people, association with, and the 
adoption to a alight extent by the Indians of the habits of the pale 
faces, have enlarged the ideas of the people, their eyes have been 
partiaHy opened so that they can see somewhat for themselves, and 
that the chieftains' influence and usefulness have been materially 
drenmscribed. He has seen a oommunity at Tonawanda pretending 
to have a government and yet has no power to enf oree or execute its 



290 APPENDIX 

wiH. This was a fault, in the govwnment of aaj oommiuiitifi that 
needed to be remedied. The law doee thia. The ehiefe ace not eor- 
tailed in the ezereiee of anj of their ancient rights or neagea, but 
three men are selected from their nnmbery who should be wise and 
discreet men, to be styled Peacemakers, by whom and throng whom, 
power should be exercised to see that among the Tn^ifpap J^^ ia 
maintained and wrongs remedied. These men will be selected 
annually, so that if you get a bad minded man, he can do great 
injury, and when you get a good man you dioold continue him in 
office and secure the benefits of his wisdom. 

As the Indians improTO and gather around them property of all 
kinds^ they wiU begin to esteem their property as does a whHe man. 
He will feel that he has made it by hard labor, and sometimes he 
will want protection for this property, and if he needs it, it is right 
that he should have it When he puts in a crop of whest or oats 
or com, or beans or potatoes, he wiU not want it destroyed by Ids 
neLghbors' cattle, and if they should break in and do him damage it 
is right he should be paid for it. If one Indian makes a purchase of 
another Indian of anything and does not pay, or borrows money or 
any other thing and returns it not, or makes a contract and does 
not keep his word, it is right that there should be a power some- 
where to regulate such matters^ and to see that justice is done. A 
trespass may be committed upon another enclosure, or some otlier 
wrong may be done, in all which cases, the Peacemakers are made 
the arbiters and judges of the rights to be enforced or the wrongs 
to be abated. When a very great wrong is done, and the damages 
claimed exceed the sum that can be awarded by the Peacemakers 
then only can a suit be maintained before a Justice of the Peace^ 
Such in brief are the duties of the Peacemakers^ and I trust that 
you will agree that such officee are necessary in the present improved 
condition of the Tonawanda Band, and I shall further expect, that 
when this becomes a law, you will cheerfully aid in giving it a trial, 
for it has no other object than your own good and prosperity. 

Another important change proposed for your good is in reference 
to the timber upon your lands. You all know that ones we had 
Tcry good timber upon the Tonavranda Beservation. We had large 
and UXk pines, plenty of whitewood, walnut, ash, basswood, oaks, 
hemlock uid chestnut We had plenty of all kinds of wood, with 
which to build a house and make good fences. AH this has been 
either sold by the Indians or stolen by bad white men. It has nsTer 
done the Indisn any good. It has not made the Tonawandas one 
cent richer. Th^ are still very poor, and their timber is nearly all 
gone. They have hardly enough left to make good rails for fences. 



APPENDIX 291 

Thqr baye no timber left Ht to be manuf aetured Into material for 
good honaee^ Tbej bave on)^ enoogb left to serve tbem for firewood. 
We, tberef ore^ probibit ell wbite man from bnjlag timber in any 
tlu^M from Indiaoflj beeanae «e think the Indians need it alL If 
thfljj do not went it now, the time is eoming iriien thej will require 
it It maj be eheep now, but by and by timber will beeome soaxee 
and it will be vahiable^ li lA sineerely hoped that upon this point 
yon will be eonvinoed, that to adopt thia poliey is for your good 
andthat you will follow it 

Again, another point. Tour friends will rejoice with you, that 
you have got so much land that is yours from the surfaee to the 
center. They think you ought to make good use of this and that you 
ought to be very rieh. You have very good lands. But yon eultiTate 
only a very small portion of it You let' your lands to white people 
and you get very small profits. This is not right We want you to 
cultivate your own lands. The profits to yon will be very much 
greater than to let your lands to the white people. It will be dif&- 
eult at first for the Indians to work all their improved or fenced 
lands, but they must get accustomed to it and then they will make 
their improvements larger and larger. Unless the Indians work their 
own lands, and cultivate a great deal more than they have hereto- 
fore done, they will be very foolish for owning so much waste and 
wild land. All we want, is to have the Indians work and receive the 
rich increase of their own lands. White men must not come in and 
take away the fat of your lands. You are not prohibited from having 
white men work for you but you are not to let your lands to them 
or cultivate your lands with them on shares. When you think this 
over carefully, I think that you will agree with your friends, that 
your adoption of this course will be a wise one, and of lasting 
benefit to your children. 

The law proposes to give the chiefs authority to lay out roads 
and make ample regulations and provisions for working them. They 
will also be empowered to make proper mlee respecting line fences 
or division lines between neighbors. No one can object to this 
because it is very proper and right. There is no wrong in it. 

To carry out all the provisions of this contemplated law, it is 
provided that the District Attorney of Genesee County shall be the 
attorney and counsellor of the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians. 
He will be paid by the State. It will be his duty to prosecute all white 
persons who violate the wise provisions of the law to give you advice 
whenever required and to settle all difficulties between Indians when 
in his power and do all he can for your good. 



292 dPPENDIX 

Thmb aze tlie genonl provialoiis of a law wldeh yirar friend 
KarUndale and mTMlf have asked fhe Legidatazo of New York to 
enaet for jour bcmeflt. We do not emitemplate that 70a will errar 
beoome oitiiene of the United Btates, or that 70a will ever want 
to be each. And therefore we have guarded jonr lands in sneh a 
manner that 70a and 7onr ehildren ma7 alwajs enjo7 the fndts and 
benefits of it. We know that in 70Qr preeent improved eonditions^ 
7oar ehange in mode of life, the eireomstanees and fn^iiw^flfff that 
sorround 70a upon all sldee, the simple laws that governed Toor 
fathers 60 or 100 7ears ago, are not adapted to 7onr present eondi- 
tion. And therefore without abolishing 70ur aneient form of govern- 
meat wfaioh 70a understand so vrell, we have onl7 asked for some 
new mlee to give new vitalit7 and effideni^ to 7onr government 
and materiall7 enhance 7oar prosp6rit7. This is rights for no eom- 
mnnit7 can edst and prosper unless in its government it has exeea- 
tive povrer to enforce good order and obedience to its mandates. B7 
this LaW| 70U viill be placed in a position that 7our pro8perit7 win 
depend upon 70ttr own wisdom and exertions. Yon should all sobndt 
to it, and endeavor to make 70ur8elves the richest and hi^pisst 
Indian communit7 in the State of New York. You must live as 
good neighbors and help one another. You must ^MkJ aside all 
quarrels, jealousies and envious feelings^ and strive and labor all 
together to make 70urselves happ7 and comfortable. When 7on 
help 7onrselves, 70U will find plent7 of friends who will help 7on 
along. 

THB SACHEM AT CHATTANOOGA 
(See Chapter Z.) 

hsadquabtees mllffabt division ov thb misbisbippi, 

In tujb Field. 

Okattanoooa, Tsnn., Not. 21st, 18<RI. 

Mt DxiJt S18TXB: — ^It is now two or three daTS since I reoeived 
70ur last letter written at home and mailed from Batavia. That 
makes the third or fourth letter I have reedved from 70U since I 
left home. I am thankful to hear from 70U at all and therefore I 
do not complain. The home news genera]l7 gave me great pleasure, 
partieularl7 that relating to father's gradual recover7. Ever since 
70U wrote of his failing health, his extreme siekness, and the despair 
of the doctor to save him, I have been quite wretched in feeling. 
Your news has almost wholl7 relieved m7 mind. 

Of course m7 letter informing 70U of m7 own misf <fftonea has 
been received. I am not well 7et, but I am constantl7 on dnt7 and 



APPENDIX 



293 



this may be one reason why I do not reeover more rapidly. I am 
stightly disappointed about oar erope at bomoi bat I rather think 
that it is more probable that we ha^e been as well favored as onr 
neighbors. MSoet of our crops are good and we should be very thank- 
ful that the Good Spirit has been so kind to us. 

I met with quite an aeeident today. I lent my horse to an 
officer to go across the river a few miles, and in coming home, as be 
was crossing the bridge, the horse jumped into the river and was 
drowned. This makes for me an investment of $160 in this miserable 
country. 

Ton may like particularly to know just where I am and just 
what kind of a country it is, and the character of the people who 
occupy it. Well, if you will look upon a map of the U. 8., up In 
the northwest comer of the state of Georgia, you will see a town 
marked Ghasttanooga. It is not in Georgia, but in Tennessee, three 
milea from the state line and only a few miles from the northeast 
comer of the state of Alabama. The range of the Gumberland 
mountains pass through here. It is nothing more than a continua- 
tion of the Allegheny range of mountains and of course very much 
like them. Father and old Sam both know a great deal about those 
mountains. The Tennessee river passes through this range of moun- 
tains at this point. And here we are among these mountains and 
our army lies on both sides of the river, which has in some places a 
flat upon one or both sides. The rebel army are south, east and 
west of us. In fact they almost surround us. If you understood 
topography^ I would make you a topographical map of this particular 
section and let you study it. However, I will give you a little idea 
of my present home. 




You may get a slight idea from this of the place we occupy. 
Our troops are in Ghaittanooga and the rebels are all around us on 



2M APPENDIX 

the south nde from riTor to rlTor. ComineDeing at Iiookoat Moim- 
tain, their lines extend azoand until thej strike the river agalB 
away above, not so far however bat that our pickets ean telk with 
the rebel piekete. It is very hiUy, of course^ Uke all mountainous 
eonntry and the summits of the mountains are almost inaccessible. 
The rebels have a great many troops, estimated at 60/N)0. They 
Are at us every day with cannon from the top of Lookout Mountain 
which hangs over our city one-half mile above the plain we occupy. 
Our guns are on Hooeasin Point, about 1200 feet below the big guns 
on Lookout Mountain, and yet our guns reach them at that hij^ 
elevation. No day passes that the cannons are not engaged. 

Since we came here there has been one little battle fought, in 
which 500 or 600 men may have been killed. In two or three days a 
great battle will probably be fought if the enemy does not run 
away from us. It would have been fought today but we could not 
get ready. I have had so much to do that I had almost forgotten 
to write to yon. I have known for s<»ne days that a great battle 
was pending, but as I have to do all the writing, I was given no 
time to think of anything else but my work. And now that the 
light is postponed for a day at least, I concluded to write you. When 
the great battle is over I will write you again. The battle wUl be 
fought on our side by about 60,000 troops and we suppose the rebels 
number nearly the same. We intend to thrash them soundly and give 
the rebellion such a blow as to stagger its longer continuance in this 
region. General Grant feels eonHdent of success, and so do we alL 
Many lives will be lost but no one who goes into battle ever thinks 
that he is the one to.be victimised. General Bragg has a great habit 
of running away when he thinks the enemy opposed to him is his 
superior in strength. We are afraid that he will do this now and 
that we shall have had our trouble for nothing, for really our prepara- 
tions have been on a grand scale. 

It is no part of our program to relinquish one foot of ground 
that we now hold and occupy, and if the rebels propose to drive us 
back, they must fl^^t most desperately to do it. 

The country people of the entire South, so far as I have seen, 
do not live as well or as comfortable as the Tonawanda Indians. 
They may, before the war broke out, have had plenty to eat and 
been well clothed. But today many of them have nothing but com. 
and now and then meat and seldom potatoes. Wheat bread is almost 
unknown among them. Our troops are obliged to feed a great many 
of the whites who have not left their homes and joined the seceders. 
The negroes, once slaves, of course are all with us and are our 
servants for pay. The country houses are built of logs, generally 



APPENDIX 205 

round log! aad ehinkad op, but Torj oftea entixelj open, that ii^ 
withoat thinks. Any Indian house is better and more eomfortablB 
and eleaner. Their dothee are home-made and of a eolor ihey eall 
battemut. The men wear butternut pants and eoats^ and the women 
ooane homespun dresses yeory muoh like our old-fadiioned flannel, 
naoaQj eaUed domestie flannel. They do not wear hoops beeanse 
neh aitifllea to be had mnst eome from the North. I am now writing 
onlj of the whites who hsve not left their homes upon the approaeh 
of our army. Host of the houses throughout the eonntry are deserted 
or abandoned. O Carrie! this is a most desolate eonntrj, and no 
hunan being can realise or comprehend the dreadful devastation and 
horrors created by wmr, until th^ have been in its traek. 

From Louisville^ in Kentucky, south for about 100 miks, the 
original appearance of the country is pretty well preserved. The 
pec^e occupy their houses and are apparently quietly pursuing 
agricultural employments. Their fences are good and you see flne 
crops growing and cattle, horses, hogs and riieep gradng in the 
pastures. Tou then begin to come into a desolated, devastated and 
burnt district, and the further south you go the more like a desert 
it lo<te. You see lone chimneys standing where once may have been 
a flue mansion; there are no longer any fences around their once 
highly-cultivated fields. Bank vreeds now grow aU over the land. 
Probably there is not now one acre cultivated, where before the war 
there were 100 acres. Every village or collection of houses we eome 
to is deserted. Nobody but negroes live in them. The windows are 
all out and the fine mahogany and rosewood furniture now forms the 
ornaments of negro cabins. The fine dr es s e s that white ladies onee 
bedecked themselves with, now hang shabbily upon the ungainly 
figure of some huge, dilapidated negro wench. 

We occupy Ohattanooga and we have no southern whites among 
us, eseept the poor "white trash," and they are so poor that they 
can hardly speak the Englidi language. Oh! it is really a pitiful 
sight to see these people suffering to the extent they are. A blind 
infatuation that by and by we are going to withdraw our troops 
from thedr country and relinquish the country, and consent to a 
separation of the American Union, makes them endure all this 
snffering and humiliation. Sometimes our troops come upon these 
people so suddenly that they have only time to eecape with what they 
can carry on their backs, leaving their comfortable houses for our 
poor soldiers to luxuriate \xl 

We are now having Indian sonuier weather. It is very deH|^t- 
ful and pleasant. In a few days will commence our winter vreather 
iriiich lasts until about January, and in March and April we have 



296 APPENDIX 

another rainy qpelL. We are here in the aaeient hemea of the 
Oherokeeay and our present qoartera are only about twelTB milea fran 
Jno. Boaa' old home. Bj and bj, aa I lee more of the Booth, I wQl 
give you another history of iL My letter has readied its aeventfa 
page. I do not think yon will ilnd time to read it^ and I will doae^ 
hoping that the Great Spirit may proteet yon all, and keep ns all 
safe until by His kind proTidenee we are permitted again to see eaeh 
other. 

From yoor brother, 

Ely 8. Pabkbl 
Hiss Cabbq G. Pahkb. 

HOW THE QUAEJ:B6 FOUGHT A LAND OONfiPIRACfT 

A history of the great land operations was so mueh the history 
of the New York Iroquois during these years that a correet aoeoont 
of the Odgen Land Company is necessary to the understanding of 
the tribal situation in whioh Ely 8. Parker was a prominent aetor. 

Soon after the close of the War for Lidependeace the State of 
Massachusetts laid formal claim to a large tract of land lying west 
of the Genesee river. After a dispute between the anthoritiee of 
New York and of Massachusetts, a compromise was effected. Mass- 
aohusetts ceded to New York all her right and title to the sot- 
ereignty and jurisdiction of these lands and New York eeded to 
Massachusetts, and her grantors, to their heirs and assigns, the 
pre-emptive rights of all the lands occupied by the Six NatiODs 
Lidians and embraced in the disputed tract. This affected only 
the Tuscaroras and Seneoas. 

This pre-emptive right was only the right to purchase these 
lands when the Indians wished of tiieir own free will and accord 
to sell as corporate nations. Dissolution of the tribe or the tribe's 
refusal would make impossible a transaction. 

Massachusetts in 1791 sold her interest in this land to the 
Holland Land Oompany, which in turn sold it to David Ogden. This 
act gave rise to the Ogden Land Oompany. By shrewd sehemes 
this company laid plot for the purchase of the title from the Indiana. 

By legitimate purchase certain lands were conveyed to pur- 
chasers in 1794, 1797 and in 1802, which was the date of the Phelps, 
Bronson and Jones purchase. Again in 1823 there was the Gr^gg 
and Gibson purchase. All these sales were made openly and under 
the joint sapervision of the Federal Government and representatives 
of the state of Massachusetts. 



APPENDIX 2Vr 

Sdiemet were put in motUm aad as earljr m 1818 we find the 
beginning of fnndnlent work. Ontain reputed ngents of two smaU 
bands of New Yoi^ Tndiani, the Oneidas and Brothertowns, applied 
for penaiarioiL to poxehaae with their own means and upon their 
own aeoonnt of the Oreen Bay, Wieeowsin^ Henominies, a traet of 
Uuid. 

Then later, in 1888, began a high-handed seheme for the 
removal of the New York Indians. The Seneeas were dianaxod at 
the powers anajed against them, but rallied their strong men and 
looked about them for friends. The plan was to stimulate a desire 
among the Indians ''to go West" and there to organise emigration 
parties or bands. 

In this crisis the Quakers beeame the aetiTS defenders of the 
Iroquois. Thej had early manifested a benevolent interest in the 
Indians about them. Far from regarding them as did other eolon- 
istSy the Quakers pursued a poli^ of unseWsh serriee. If a thing 
was ri|^t with them it should be done. Oompensation or reward 
was not eonsidered. Neither was power, money, land or influenee 
sought. Their poUi^ at first puzzled the natives who eould scaroelj 
believe that the whites who appeared so avarieious eould manifest 
any degree of altruisoL 

In 1796 Oomplanter asked the Philadelphia Quakers to educate 
three ehildren, among them his son Henry. Five years later we find 
a Quaker mission among the Oneidas and Tusearoras. There seemed 
to be no special effort on the part of the Quakers to f oree the Indians 
to aoeept the religion of the white men, nor indeed to seek to haye 
the Indians aeeept their own ereed. The Quakers simply tan^ 
manual industry sueh as milling, spinning, cooking and agriculture. 
With that they taught the rudiments of elementary school subjects. 
The religion that they taught was expressed almost solely in action. 
There was no attempt to rush in and with angry outbursts condemn 
all that the Indian natively believed. 

In 1799 the Indians grew suspicions of the motives of sueh 
unheard-of white men and began to suspect after all that there were 
ulterior motives. The Quakers then quietly withdrew. 

Just the year before, however, in 1798, a mission had been 
established at Allegany and later as will be shown one was planted 
at Oattarangus. 

Here they remained undisturbed tiirough the second war with 
Great Britain, though six hundred of the Iroquois enlisted as United 
States regulars. I>nring this period the Quakers are said to have 
averted an epidemic of small-pox by vaccinating one thousand 
Indians. Another early mission was among the broken tribes from 



2M APPENDIX 

northaactern Penn^lyania, Oonneetieut and Mfca—chniettB. These 
were known as the Sto^bridgee and Brotheitowna who lived amon^ 
the Oneidaa. This miision waa eetaUiahed In 1807 bat afterwarda 
abandoned. The Indiana at Oneida had aadly faUen Tietima to the 
trader's nun. 

In reply to the entreatiea of one of the early miatiionaTiee the 
famona Bed Jaeket eielainied: ''Ton have got vai eonntiy from 
na bat you are not aatiafied,— yoa want to f oree onr reUgion from 
na. We onderatand year reUgiim ia written in a great book. If 
it waa intended f or oa as well aa for you why did not the Great 
Spirit give it to na, bat not onJty to oa bat why did he not give it 
to onr forefatheraf Yoa say there is bat one way to worship the 
Great Spirit. If there ia one religion why do yoa white people 
diapate about it so maehf Why are yoa not all agreedf Yoa ean 
all read the Bo«^ 

''We also have a religion which waa given aa by oar forefathera 
and haa been handed down to nai their ebildren. We worahip in 
that way. It teaehes as to be thankfal for all the favors we reeeived, 
to love each other and be onited. We never qaarrel aboot religion. 

"Brothers, we have been told that yoa have been preaching 
near here. These people are oar neighbora We know them and 
will wait a little while and see what eifeet year preaehing will have 
upon them; if we find it does them good — makea them more honest 
and less disposed to cheat Indians, we wiU then eonaider what you 
have said to us." 

At another time Bed Ja^et replied to the missionaries, denying 
that the ccmtact of the Indians with the whites had improved the 
Indians. ''Thus you see,'' he said, "that oar attempts to pattern 
after your example makes the (}reat Spirit angry — ^He doea not 
crown your ezertiona." 

Such was the temper of the man. Bed Jaeket, when the strength 
of manhood governed his mental action and when he yet had some 
faint confldence in the power of his people to hold thdr own. How 
different in tone are the utterances of hia old agel The ftebleness 
of his race bit into his spirit and he eTclalma, "I am about to leave 
yoa» and my warning voice will no longer be heard or regarded; the 
craft of the white man will prevail. I am an aged tree and can 
stand no longer. My leaves are fallen and my branchea are withered 
and I am shaken by every breeie. Soon my aged trunk will be 
prostrate and the foot of the exulting foe of the Indians may be 
placed upon it with safety; for there ia none who will be able to 
avenge such an insult. Think not that I mourn for myself. I go 
to join the spirits of my fathers where age and suffering cannot 



APPENDIX 299 

eome, but mj heart fails whsa I think of my people who are eo eooD 
to be seatteredy destroyed and forgotten." 

It is then that Bed Jaeket thought of the Friends who have 
ever been faithful. Into his distresBed mind eame the hope that 
they might intercede for his people and proteet them from their 
enemies. The traditions of his fathers has told of the strange white 
men who aetuallj did as th0y prcsnised and eonqaered by kindness. 
Thus it was that in 1827 Bed Jaeket went to the city of New York 
and attended the yearly meeting of the Qnakers and to entreat them 
to take his people under their care and to give them the type of 
dvilixation that was best, to educate the young men and to teach 
industry and agriculture. More partieularlyy no doubt, he was 
anxious that a just people should reside among his own and proteet 
them from the greed of the unscrupulous land speculator. The matter 
was considered by the Friends and th^ informed him that inasmuch 
as the Friends had a mission at Onondaga they could not see their 
way clear to undertake a mission to the 8enecas^ that they would 
seek, howeveri for some means by which his prayer might be granted. 

Nearly two years passed by and the anxiety of Bed Jacket 
inereased. On January 20th he wrote to the Society of Friends of 
the city of New York: <<At the treaty of Philadelphia with WUUam 
Penn and the Six Nations, we considered William Penn a friend to 
us; he did not wish to cheat us out of our lands but was disposed 
to pay us a fair value for them. Since that time the Society of 
Friends have treated us kindly. They have never shown a dii^o- 
sition to wrong us out of our lands, but they have seemed to wish 
to cultivate friendship with us." In the next paragraph he states, 
"There are at present six thousand of our people and upwards who 
wish that Society to send a suitable person among us." 

Again he was disappointed but was invited to confer with a 
committee of three and explain the situation. This conference 
resulted in a visit in 1830. They met on the Buifalo creek reser- 
vation where the coundl was presided over by fourteen ehiefs and 
more than two hundred of the people. From Buffalo the committee 
proceeded to Oattaraugus. As a result of this visitation the Com- 
mittee drew up a report in which they stated: '<At a General 
Council in which both the Christian and pagan parties were present 
the Indians appeared very grateful for this attention on the part 
of the Friends, sUting that they believed that the Great Spirit had 
put it into the hearts of the children of William Penn to thus viirtt 
them." 

The Indians set aside a farm tract at Cattaraugus in the very 
heart of the pagan settlement and a residence was erected. Two 



300 APPENDIX 

hundred aeref were laid out and aeveatf cleared and feneed. In 
1833 the school was opened and there was an average attendance 
of twenty-flye children. From that time on the farm, echodl and 
miselon was given into the charge of the Geneeee yearly meeting 
who labored faithfully for five years. Early in the year 1888 the 
Quaker misfl&onariee discovered that their Seneca charges were suf- 
fering from a great deal of excitement and were charging that there 
was a movement on foot to rob them of every foot of land they 
owned in the state of New York. It appears that a eoundl had 
been held near Buffalo in which a minority of the chiefs had signed 
away all four reservations. It was feared by the Seneeas that the 
Federal Government would fail to heed the great remonstrance sent 
forth by the members of the tribe and the loyal chiefs and the 
infamous treaty would be ratified and they sent to destruction. 

Inquiry revealed that it was the settled policy of the Qovem- 
ment to remove every tribe and send them to the west of the 
Mississippi river. The Quakers were on the alert in an instant and 
the Senecas made desperate, frightened appeals to the various meet- 
ings for assiatance in averting the loss of their ancestral domain 
and escaping the sure death that awaited them if they were f oreed 
west into the unsettled regions. 

Early in the history of the English colonies Massachusetts had 
claimed ownership of Western New York and after the Bevolntion 
had relinquished its pre-emptive claims to the Ogden Land dnnpany. 

Western New York was one of the finest pieces of agricultural 
land in the Middle Atlantic States. It was a garden spot and its 
great possibilities even in 1838 made it a sought-for region. The 
Indians held great tracts of this land. It was among the most 
fertile in all Western New York, for they had been shrewd enough 
to retain the fertile flats and rich tracts adjacent to and lying upon 
four great streams of water — ^Buffalo creek, Tonawanda creek, 
Okttaraugus creek and the Allegheny river. Here was a prize worth 
winning. There was money in it. Money, — gold for the asking, 
fortunes, if it could be obtained. The Indians held it. The Ogden 
Land Ck>mpany wanted it and the gold it would produce. What 
matter if that gold were sweated from the blood of men and womenf 
What matter if men were corrupted by bribery f That land must 
be obtained. It seemed fortunate that the "settled policy of the 
Government was to remove the Indian west of the Mississippi t " 
It then only remained to seduce the Indians there who had been 
assured by solemn compact that they might stay as long as th^ 
desired. 



APPENDIX 301 

The agents of the Lend Company went among the T«/»Mif- 
ThooBands of dollars were spent in eoneoeting a seheme hj which it 
could be signed away. Sixteen Senecas ehiefs out of eighty-one 
were bribed bj amount varying from one to five thoosand dollars.1 
They were in turn to corrupt other chiefs and get their signatures. 
The story is a shocking one. The Quakers investigated. Th^ 
could not be bribed or their opinions prejudiced. A moderate 
people were th^ and yet from the records of their own investigation 
we read, '^ . . the committee became ihoraughly eatiafied of the 
revolting fact that in order to drive these poor IndioKB from their 
lands deception and frond had been practiced to an extent perhaps 
withont paraUel in the dark history of oppression and wrong, to which 
the aborigines of our country have been subjected,'* 

The Quakers at once began to work. Th^ were thoroughly 
aroused. At once th^ got into communication with the Beoretaxy 
of War, with the President himself and with the members of 
Congress. 

The chiefs protested against the fraudulent treaty. Their 
names had been forged to it. So had thirty or forty other names. 
The land Company erected a council-house of their own in order 
that they eould say the treaty was made in "open couneiL" Qiiefs 
were lured to Builklo, were drugged and intoxicated. Their names 
appeared on the treaty. Some were awakened in the night and made 
to sign an unknown paper in the dark. Every sort of force was 
used, forgery, calumny, physical violence and bribeay. It is a 
sickening tale and a horrible demonstration of the moral shallowness 
of civilization. Several times the treaty was sent back. This was 
the result of the remonstrance of the Quakers. The Bev. Asher 
Wright, the Congregational missionary, worked night and day in 
eoUeeting evidence, in carrying the remonstrance and in encouraging 
the people to be brave. 

At length the treaty was ratified. The land was no longer the 
Senecas'. They were to be dispossessed. Some were taken west 
tmder a certain Doctor Hugemboam. The most of these emigrants 
died of malarial diseases. The majority of people, however, 
remained in their old homes. They wished to die in the land of their 
fathers and resolved to cluster about their fathers' graves to be 
shot to death, rather than abandon what was theirs. They asked 
Elder Wright if th^ were not right in this end; he told them to 
embody that statement in a memorial to the President. 



1. See the Quaker document* The Oftee of the Seneca Indiani, Philadelphia. 
1840. 



802 APPENDIX 

In Tain did the Soeiety of FriendB appeal to the eonseienee of 
the President and to the honor of the Senate. In one of their 
memorials a eombined committee of fourteen men representing four 
Yearly Meetings appealed in these words: 

"To contemplate the forcible removal of the Indians and the 
heart-rending scene that must accompany such a removal is shocking 
to every sentiment of justice and humanity. To see a great and 
powerful nation lending its aid to oppress the weak and helpkoa 
must t^nd to loosen the attachment of the people to their government. 
. . . The United States by the peculiar nature of their institutions 
stand conspicuously before the world. . . . May the Buler of the 
Universe in His boundless mercy so direct the delegated authorities 
that they may be directed by the principles of justice and mercy." 

All through the bitter trial it was the Quaker, Philip £. Thomas 
of the Baltimore Meeting and Asher Wright of the American Board 
of Oommissioners of Foreign Missions, who carried the standards. 
Dr. Wright was everywhere. A university man of rare attainments^ 
he had chosen a life in the wilds that his God might be gloriiled. 
He knew the Iroquois language perfectly, more perfectly indeed 
than any native. The Senecas re8X>ected him. His athletic prowess* 
his skill with the rifle and his knowledge of the woods excited their 
admiration. His zeal for their salvation inspired their reverence. 
Lake the Quakers, he was no man to bluster in upon native cere- 
monies and drive out the participants. A rare man for his day, he 
collected their myths and legends, wrote a grammar of their language 
and took down the texts of their rituals. With his devoted wife he 
healed the sick. Neither ship fever nor small-pox frightened him or 
the wife who worked by his side. And his niece, Martha, as a nurse, 
bathed the sick, whatever the disease might be; she held the cup 
when there was bleeding to be done, and stripped the leeches. At 
one time she washed two hundred blankets that came from the set- 
tlement where yellow fever was raging. SmaU wonder that a tall 
sub-chief admired his brave nurse and teacher! He was a descendant 
of Handsome Lake the Prophet, the brother of the head chief of the 
Senecas. He married the nurse. He was Nicholson H. Parker, the 
brother of Ely. With Dr. Wright he translated and printed the 
New Testament into Seneca, and with Dr. Wright he labored for 
the saving of his people's home country. 

Philip Thomas and Dr. Wright succeeded in effecting a settle- 
ment by which only the Buffalo creek and Tonawanda reservations 
were to be released, and by which Cattaraugus and Allegany were 
saved. But the loved Do-show-weh of their ancestral pride, the 
Buffalo creek reservation, was lost. Here were some of their most 



APPENDIX 303 

preeiouB memorialB. It had been a meeting place of the Six Nations, 
It was the home of ICaiy Jemison and of Bed Jacket. Their fathers' 
bones were there. 

The Buffalo Senecas were embittered. Tlieir hearts tamed 
from molten iron to coldest stone. They moved to Oattarangos. 
They went back to the ways of their fathers. They wonld not 
permit missionaries to come and even Dr. Wright was only tolerated 
becanse they believed in his integrity. 

The Buffalo Senecas settlement at Gfeittaraugus was upon an 
unfertile clay hill. That it was so mattered not; their hearts were 
dead. They would have nothing to do with Christianity. Today 
that spot is the stronghold of paganism in the form of Handsome 
Lake's "new religion." 

The people were still agitated. Their educated leaders wished 
a revolution in their native government. Peter Wilson hinted at the 
[dan in his address before the Baltimore Friends in 1848 when he 



"Is there one here whose bosom does not heave or whose heart 
does not beat in unison and sympathy for the oppressed that ar» 
thus struggling to become emancipated f 

"Is there one here whose philanthropic and patriotic spirit is 
not aroused with the thrilling tidings come over the great salt waters 
that millions of human beings are becoming free: that the spirit 
of freedom has crossed from America over the great ocean into the 
old world and there planted the standard of liberty f 

"I am aware that my friends do not approve of war, but I 
know that you are the advocates of liberty. ShaU the Indian then 
be censured because he too' has become infected with the epidemic 
that pervades the political atmosphere in this free America f No, 
I trust not. 

"The political agitation among my people is but the onward 
and upward progress in the scale of civilization and it is hoped that 
before long the people will arrive at the elevated position of your 
people, where the friends of the Indians have long desired to welcome 
them. 

"Permit me therefore to conclude by expressing the hope that 
this committee, and the Society they represent, will continue their 
labors and care toward us until we shall become able to walk alone, 
and we shall have arrived at a maturity that will enable us to 
sustain ourselves and come to enjoy all the relations and privileges 
of American dtiiens." 



904 APPENDIX 

Tbe work of the Qaaken and of the f ftifhfnl Philip E. Thamam 
did not end here. The appeal of the people was too eanert. The 
eonrupt ehief s must be oneted and a better govenunent establiihed. 

Through the adviee and help of Philip E. Thomaa, of Dr. 
Wright, of Dr. Peter Wilson, Nathaniel Strong and Blaris B. 
Pierce^ the last three being educated Indians with eoU^ge training, 
a revolution took plaoe. This was in 1848. The old ehiefs were 
ousted. No longer could they handle mon^ belonging to the tribe. 
The people come into power with a constitutional government and a 
written code of laws. There were not enough adherents to the 
deposed chiefs to cause any trouble. A bloodless revolution had 
been successful. The allies of fraud, the betrayers of the people 
had been overthrown. The people were supreme. Their beet men 
then threw every energy into constructive work. 

The Tonawandias having had no part in any treaty, and being 
dispossessed, were in a precarious position. Without any approval 
on their part, despite their remonstrances, th^ were made a'landleH 
people. But they refused to leave the ground which they owned by 
every moral law. Th^ refused to have a part in the new "BepuUie 
of the Beneca Indians" just as th^ had refused to abide by the 
decision of the ''chiefs'' government. 80 th^ returned to the 
government of their fathers of old and ''raised up" the sachems 
who were ordained by Hiawatha and Dekanawideh with the approval 
of Jikonsasehi the Mother of Nations. 



GENERAL PARKER'S REPLY TO THE CHARGES AGAINST 

HIS ADMINISTRATION 

Mb. CHAreMAw: — In asking you to consider the suggestion sub- 
mitted by my friend and counsel in this investigation, G^eral Chip- 
man, it 18 proper, perhaps, that I should say a word myself. I will not 
attempt to go over the testimony, as that has been done by my frien^ 
nor oould I do so with any satisfaction to myself, or in any wa^ to aid 
your committee, for I have not been able to attend the inveetigatioiL 
during its pro^pm, and am not familiar enough with the facts of record 
to assist you m your examination of it. I do not know, either, that I 
can now add anything to what I have said under oath, in replying to 
questions asked me bv the committee, and which I suppose were in- 
tended to cover the whole ground of the investigation. 

When I entered upon the dischar^ of the duties of mj office, I 
knew how sensitive tiie public were with ref;ard to the admmistralaon 
of our Indian affairs. I Iknew, too. the solicitude with which Congress 
has always regarded that bureau 01 our Government service, and finnly 
resolved that I would administer the office to the best of my ability, 
and in such a manner that no taint of dishonor, at least, should ever 
attach to my conduct. To what extent my ability has proved equal 



APPENDIX SOS 

to the duties derolved upon me, it is not beoomkig for me to sj^eak. 
Enow that I hayeqMured no paina, no aacrifioe of personal oonvemenoe 
and pleasure, to discharge my whole duty faithfully. I do not claim 
that I have made no miiftakeB, for that is more, I think, than can well 
be daimed by any public officer; but, Mr. Chairman. I do say, and I 
speak it in as solemn a manner as I am capable, and to this extent I 
naTe already sworn, that I have never i^onted peouniaiily, or indeed 
otherwise, hv any transaction in my official capacity while T have been 
serving as ComimsBioner of Indian Affairs. I cannot know in advance 
how you wfll regard the various matters which have been made the sub- 
|ect of your investimtion. as they affect mv personal honor and official 
mtegril^; but whether th^ are sufficiently explained by the facts in 
the reom or not, no view which you may take of them can change the 
knowledge within my own breast, that I have never sought to defraud 
the Government out of one penny, or have knowing lent my aid to 
others with that view. There is not to be found anywhere in conneo- 
tion with this trial— if I may speak of it as a trial — a sinp^e transaction 
about which I had at the tune, or until Mr. Welsh published his letter 
of Deoember last, the dightest suspicion that my conduct would be 
inquired into. All of my official acts now before your committee, were 
perfoimed in the usual routine of mv official dufies. I gave them no 
further thought afterwards than sucn as would naturally come up in 
the mind of a public officer in the casual review of his past administra- 
tion. When I was, in January, suddenly called upon to erolain trans- 
actions of my office, ax months previous, I could on^ redv tor erolana- 
tions upon such records as tuoypened to remain in my . office, and upon 
such facts as I could from other sources, bring to the attention of the 
committee. As to the effect of these records and facts, you are to be 
the judges, and I leave them with you in the full belief that jou will 
weigh them well before you condemn my action. If human testimony is 
to be believed, and if my sworn statements, as well as the sworn state- 
ments of others with whom I was suspected of bein^ in complicity, are 
to be credited, I think I may safely leave the question of my personal 
honor in your hands. As to the wisdom of any particular act of mine 
into which 3rou have been examining, of course your judgment and mine 
may differ, and as to this I can omy rest upon the circumstances sur- 
rounding me at the time, and the facts in the record, tending to show 
whether I acted wisely or not. 

You must admit, Mr. Chairman, that the matter is one of great 
moment to me, and while I have no right to ask at your hands any 
report other than that which may be the result of your own convictions, 
I think I have the right to ask thiat at the time you make it to the Hoiise 
of Representatives, you will also state all the material facts upon which 
your conclusions should rest. I do not shrink from any responsibility 
which I have incurred, or its just consequences, and I onlv ask that 
that bodv which ultimately determines upon the result of tnis investi- 
mtion, shall have that full knowledge of my conduct which will enable 
mem to form a correct judgment in a matter of such great importance 
tome. 

£. S. Parker. 

Hon. A. A. Sabobnt, 

Chairman, etc. 



a06 APPENDIX 

Then oame the defenoe of Fkrkar by Gml N. P. Chipmaa. Every 
ebuge was ducusBed in detaO end met with the reoords of the depeit- 
ment. A brief portion of Qen. ChipDkan'B defence is quoted. It con- 
tains several interesting paragraphs and deDionstrates that Gen. Parker 
was absolutely dean in all his dealingw 

"General Parker interpreted the law naturally and honestly, and 
eaeouted it acoordinsly. If he had entertained a suspioion tiiat a dif- 
ferent view was held by the Board of Indian ComnussionerB from his 
own, no one who knows the efforts made by him to m^infaMn the best 
relations with that board would doubt that he would have brou^t it 
to their attention. I cannot help expressing the opinion that if the 
board itself had felt this matter to be one of consequence, and had 
regarded the commissioner as excluding them from any pr(»er partici- 
pation in the affairs of his office, they would have brou|$t it to his 
attention. The gentlemen composing that board are not churls, nor 
are they cowards. They assumed their dutiei, and have performed 
them, at great personal sacrifice. They are men of standing and diar- 
acter. 

''They could afford to eneak frankbr and openly with regard to all 
matteis about which they had cause for complaint. They could not 
afford to conceal anjrthing, and I do not believe they did conceal aw- 
thing. Beyond the conduct of Mr. Colyer and the great interest &e 
has shown in prosecuting this case, there is not to be found a sinsLe 
instance which tends to show the slightest want of confidence on the 
part of the board in the present Commissioner of Indian Affairs. It is 
certainly a little remarkable that the secretary and mouthpiece of the 
board, who is by law charged with the responsibility of performing cer- 
tain duties in connection with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and 
between whom and himself there should be not only confidence, but the 
closest relations, should attend this investigation night after ni^j^t, 
aiding the prosecutor in the accomplishment of a purpose to remove 
the Cx>mmi8sioner of Indian Affairs. I do not believe that Mr. Cdjrer. 
in such a position, indelicate and impjfoper as it must seem to an^ mind 
to be, can be acting under the authority of the Board of CommissioQerB. 

"But this is a divergence, Mr. Chairman, not important, and which 
I must beg pardon for having indulfl»d in. The question here Ib, 
whether the Commissioner of Indian Affairs is to be censured for having 
discharged a duty devolved upon him by law, without consulting the 
board, which he did not at the time believe it was his duty under the 
law to do. You must in this as well as in other points connected with 
this investigation, give some weight to motives: and where the motive 
was not a bad one, and no evil consequences followed from the conduct 
of the officer, it certainly cannot be the duty or province of this com- 
mittee to condemn. 

• 

"It is no unusual thing in private as well as in official life, and in the 
management of private as weU as public affairs, for one man to take 
upon himself the responsibility of performing duties which are made 
incumbent upon two or more. The law which originally created this 
board gave them joint control over all the disbursements of the Indian 
Department, and jret that control was practically taken awav from 
them by the executive order; and I do not suppose that out of the mil- 
lions of dollars disbuned by the Interior Department, under that act, 



APPENDIX 307 

that the Board of GommiBBionen were called upozL or had an oppor- 
tuni^even, of parUdpatm^ in the diebursements of one-fiftieth part of 
it. That law aid not require tiie Secretary, it is true, to consult the 
board, in terms: but how else could thev have joint control without 
consultation? And if he failed to consult them or furnish them the 
opportunity of exercising l^t Joint control, was he less to blame than 
CommisHioner Paricer in the subsequent law which made it his duty to 
consult the board? We haTe nerer heard any investigation contem- 
plated into the conduct of tbe Secretarjr of the Interior or of the Com- 
missioner of the Indian Affairs, under that law, nor have we ever heard 
of complaint bcang made against the President for practically annulling 
that clause whidh gave joint control. 

"Mr. Chairman, if this were tiie first instance where an officer of 
the Qovenunent dared to take responsibilities in the administration of 
official duties^ it might not be remarkable that public attention should 
be drawn to it; but, sir, as I run back over the last decade, and reflect 
upon the perils to our nation's life, which a strong hand has averted 
with pubhc approval, even when tne law had to be borne down and 
set aside. I cannot bcuieve an honest officer, in the honest discharge of 
duty, well performed, will at this day be the first to suffer for his courage 
whore he violated no law. 

"We do not need to bq b^jrond the last two or three yean, or beyond 
the Indian service, to find examples of fearless discharge of duty in 
cases not unlike this. 

"How long is it, Mr. Chairman, since General Sherman, in con- 
nection with the members of the Peace Commission created by Con- 
fess, incurred an expenditure without authority of law, vastly greater 
than was involved in ttk&t portion of Commissioner Parker's purchases, 
which were made under an emergency? 

"How long is it since General Sherman, on a single telegram to the 
Governor of Montana, authorised the raieong of troops^ to be paid bv 
the National Government, involving an expenditure of a milhon dol- 
lars, for tiie payment of wnich Congress has made provision? 

^'Who has Had the temerity to attack General Snerman or the Peace 
Commission? 

"Who has ever sou^t to arraign General Harney for feeding the 
same Indians for whom Commissioner Parker made provision, although 
General Harney, without authority of law, incurred an expenditiue 
vastly beyond that which Commissioner Parker incurred? 

"Who had dared to insinuate that General Sherman was in fraudu- 
lent collusion with contractors because he paid large prices for beef, 
much larger than G^iend Parker paid? Who ever thought of bringing 
General Harney before a committee in Conness for pajring afanost 
three times as much for flour as Commissioner Parker did? The Indian 
office has been arraigned over and over again, and probably more dis- 
cussion has taken place in and out of Consress upon the management 
of Indian affairs than upon any other, ana I have yet to learn of an 
effort having ever been made to convict an Indian Commissioner of 
violation of law for making provision, as Commissioner Parker did. 
The necessity for sometimes resorting to open-market purchases and 
contracts without advertisement, has been recognised by every Ad« 
ministration and I think I may say every Congress. With thisknowl* 
edge, and these precedents to guide him, how monstrous it is to assail 
Coimnissioner Parker upon t^ ground! 



308 APPENDIX 

"If Mr. Welsh desires to keep the Indian Office free from 
riogB and corrupt combinations, heaven help; but if he expects to 
reform our public service by wholesale char^ of corruption that have 
no foundation except in his own fertile bram; if he hopes to reassure 
public confidence by destroying the faith the people have in tiieir public 
servants, through the means of a vexatious and heartless pursuit of 
those in official position : if he hopes to engraft upon our Indian man- 
agement the beni^ innuence of the church through an unchristiaa 
method of attack; if he hopes to elevate the Indian by openly declaring^ 
as he has, that the President has put into the office to whion they IoSkl 
for protection, one who is but a remove from barbarism, thus stig- 
matiiing the whole raoe^ if he believes that the Christian people of 
this land are to join him m a crusade against this representative of the 
Indian by groundless accusations; if in short, he intends to work out 
oertain theories of his own, imder cover of Christian philanthropy, 
without regard to consequences, he will find he has undertaken that 
which will recoil fearfully upon him, and which will awaken an indig- 
nant protest from every honest heart. 

"Mr. Chairman, you and others are not blind to the general results 
of the President's poucy, so ably carried out in its details oy the Indian 
Bureau; you have seen no Indian war desolating our bonier, since its 
inauguration; your committee of appropriations have had no millions 
to provide as heretofore, for large numbers of troops to avenge the 
murders of our frontier citizens, and repress the warlike spirit of the 
Indians; the dollars expended by Commissioner Parker have been units 
to the tens previously eiroended; since Uiis trial b^gan you have pro- 
vided for aaditional of the warlike savages who are coming in to be 
fed and to acquire our habits of life, and you know the general feeling 
which pervades the people along the border is, that we must hold out 
every encouragement in the direction now being taken; you know — 
for you had frequent intercourse with the Commissioner, — ^how ear- 
nestly he has bent his energies to second the wishes of the President and 
Congress in this regard. Is it th»n too much to ask that these things 
be considered? At the worst, this record shows only that the Commis- 
sioner has been too bountiful in his supplies of food, althou|di it does 
not appear that a pound of provisions luts been wasted; at the worsts 
he hais erred in not feeding the Indians from hand to mouth, keeping 
their niinds full of doubt each day as to their subsistence for the next. 
I believe, Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Parker has no regret that he 
chose the course he did. By so doing he has convinced the IndianB that 
the Government is in earnest and t£it it may be trusted. 

"It may well be asked^ what would have been the gravity of Mr. 
Welsh's complaint had a timid policy been pursued at the juncture we 
have considered, and an Indiux outbreak been the result? I doubt not, 
he would have then held the Commissioner responsible for not doing 
the very thing of which he now compluns. 

"But, sir, a subject of this gravity is not to be judged by the cost of 
a few thousand pounds of beef or sacks of flour; or an accidental side of 
bacon, with a rib in it; or a few barrels of sugar made of jnolasses^ or 
the difference between the cost of shipping goods up the Missouri River 
in the spring and fall; or the cent per cent bargaining by which some men 
amass large fortimes in cities like Philadelphia. 

"Gentlemen in public positions, called upon to assume responsibOi- 
ties unknown to urban merchants, learn to take broader views of affairs 



APPENDIX d09 

of state. Hie ezperienoe of your committee^ Mr. Chairman, as public 
men, toniflheB some guaran^ that Commiawoner Ftoker will be judged 
from the standpoint of statesmanship, and not that of a tradesman, 
who, however honest and well-meaning, may be very narrow when he 
oomes to view subjects new to him." 

A review of all the evidence resulted in dealing General Parker of 
any wrongdoing, greatly to the confusion of those who sought to di»- 
him. 



SECRETARY SEWARD'S INTEREST IN THE INDIANS 

(See Chapter U, Page 1Q2) 

Seoretaxy William H. Seward had no personal enmity to Ely S. 
Faiker in rejecting his proffered services as an engineer in the army. 
We have no means of explaining why the Secretary did not seek 
to place him in some position of authority or of usefulness, as 
Parker was weU known in Washington circles. Perhaps Mr. Seward 
only reflected the feeling of the time that the struggle was between 
the whites only. 

In justice to Secretaiy Seward we present the editorial from the 
NeiD York Minor given below. It indicates his very deep friendship 
for the New York Indians. The clipping is from Qeneral Paiicer's 
scnp book— one that he made before he entered the anny. The edi- 
torial follows: 

Tbs Sel Natioiib 

Mr. Seward will receive the thanks of all friends of justice and 
humanity for his successful resistance of the attempt made in the Senf> 
ate on Thursday night to pass a bill removing the remains of the Con- 
federated Iroquois of this State from their ancient seats to new and 
strange abodes in the far West. It was a barbarous proposition, un- 
called for bv any public necessity, and prompted solely by speculative 
avarice. Iiiere have been for many jrears unscrupulous white men 
regarding with greedy ^es the valuable lands of the Indians in Central 
and Western New x oriE, and monstrous frauds have been resorted to, 
without shame or remorse, to displace the renmants of the Six Nations 
from their reservations. These base efforts have hitherto been bafltod. 
Disinterested gentlemen of the legal profession have volunteered their 
services in behalf of the red men, exposing in the courts with signal 
ability and success the vOlainy sought to be practised against them. It 
should be understood that these relics of a once powerful and most 
interesting Confederation are by no means savages. They have com- 
fortable dwellingB, churches, school-houses, mills and cultivated farms. 
Many of them differ little m education, manners or inteUigenoe from 
the majority of their white neighbors. Their leading men are acoom- 
l^iBhed gentlemen. The present Chief ot the Six Nations, Mr. Ely S. 
Pariier, a person of academical education and respectable character, is 
by profession a dvU engineer, employed on the canals of the State. 



310 APPENDIX 

Such are the people whom it has been j^ropoaed to driye aw»r from their 
homes b^jrond tae MieaLwippi. It ia mipoeaible that the Senate ooold 
have mideratood the real nature of the hill. Interested parties had no 
doubt taken pains to misrepresent and deoeive. But Mr. Seward, with 
personal knowledge of the case in all its aspects, came to the rescue in a 
speech which would not be conquered. 

The condition of the Indians in question, although eomf ortable and 
hmnr, is somewhat anomalous, with a creditable degree of general 
intelligence, and subject to the laws of the white communis in the 
midst of which th^ dwelL th^ are neither regarded as dtiaens nor 
recognised as forei^snere. Naturalisation is forbidden them, and thegr 
can be endowed with tiie piiTile|ses of dtiaenship onhr by special 9A 
of the Legislature. But as an o£Set they are not taiea. On the other 
hand^ they are incapacitated to alienate their lands without legislatiye 
permission. It would not be true to claim that, as a whole^th^ eqoal 
their white neighbors in industry, enterprise or progress. Their worst 
foe is the "fire water," to which the red man bias everywhere a fatal 
proclivity, and which unprincipled whites are but too rndv to furnish 
nim. Some years aoo an act was procured to be passed authorising the 
Indian occupants cl a reservation in Erie Ckmnty to sell, provided a 
majority should consent. The speculators who stood ready to pur- 
diase induced the tribe to go to Buffalo for negotiation, where they 
plied the poor Indians with rum until, by hodc or crook, a sufficient 
number were got to agree. This nefarious fraud was not, however, suo- 
cessful, its character beinp exposed, and its purpose defeated, after a 
severe struggle, by the fnends of tne Indians, who refused to remain 
inactive spectators <uf the swindle. 



^A 



EDITORIAL NOTES 



PHILIP KENJOCKETV 

"The last of the Neutrals." Frum a paintinK by Bradiah, 18C2, owDCil by 

Mr Robt. K. Root. Buffalo See Edilorial Notes, Page 313. 






■to k. 



" ^, ^ 



EDITORIAL NOTES 



THS KENJ00KBT78 

On page 14, allotion is made to John Kenjoeketj. The name, 
in one f onn or another, is perhape the oldest designation pertaining 
to tlie region of Buffalo. If, as students of Indian ^\n gn^mti^ 
af&rmy it is of the language of the Neutral nation, then it is a 
BOTTiyal of a tongue spoken hereabouts — around the northern and 
eastern end of Lake Erie— long before it was suoceeded bj the 
Beneea. The word Erie (which the earlj Freneh eartographers 
printed with a final accent, as though it were pronounced "E-ree- 
aye") is also of the Neutral or Eah-kwah tongue; but most of our 
local Indian names are Seneca. 

"Kenjocketj" has now became '^Sci^aquada," and is the name 
of a stream of some consequence to Buffalo. It helps to beauti^ 
Forest Lawn, a resting-place for the dead. It feeds (Ma Water, 
the lake in Delaware Park, which is indeed but an artificial enlarge- 
ment of its old bed. On the banks of this lake stands the home 
of the Buffalo Historical Society. The lower reaches of the stream, 
and its junction with the Niagara, are rich in historic associations. 
The Battle of Black Bock^ in the War of 1812, was fought on its 
banks, and in its waters were fitted out some of the vessels of Perry's 
fleet, that fought and won the Battle of Lake Erie. Surely sueh 
a stream is deserving of a place and name in local annals. 

The name it surely has, somewhat to excess. In an effort to 
discover what should be the spelling of this word, records and maps 
of Buffalo^ of the earliest days of the village, as well as of later 
years of the dty, have been examined, as have also numerous old 
treaties and early printed books. The result of the quest is indi- 
cated by the following list of spellings, all being designations of 
this same stream, now usually written ''Scajaquada:" 



Gajaquada 

Gwojadaqua 

Ouijaquadie 

Oanjoequadies 

Con^oquakuon 

Oon^aeadaqua 

Oon3aequitie8 

Oonjadaqua 

Conjaquada 

Oonjaquadie 

OOnjaquadies 

Conjaquadius 

Conjaquady 

Conjaquda 

Conjoeadas 



Conjockety 

Conjocquada 

Conjocquata 

Conjocquitas 

Gonjoequta 

Gonjoquada 

OonjoquadvB 

Oonjoquoday 

Kaiyoequadies 

Eenjoekety 

Konjockety 

Sca-dhu-queddy 

Scadjaquada 

Scagaquada 

Scaghtjecitors 



Scaicuada 

Scajacquada 

Scajaqada 

Scajaquada 

Seajaquadda 

Scajaquade 

Seajaqnadies 

Scajaquadys 

Scajaquoda 

Scajoquada 

Seajaquaty 

Scajaquodiee 

Scajauquada 

Scajaquady 

Scajoquady 



314 



EDITORIAL NOTES 



Beajuqoadus 

Seajnqnda 

Seajuquoddy 

Sesjuquoddyf 

Seaqneada 

Sesughjuhquattj 

Seaajaewada 

Beayuquoddy 

Sehadaqnatj 

Beha^daqiiaty 

Sehajaokwady 



Behajaequada 

Sehajakwatta 

Schajaqatj 

fichajaquady 

Behajaqoadya 

Schajaqnater 

Sehajaqnaty 

Beajauqnady 

Sehaadaqnaty 

Behangadamui^ 

Seoijoiquoidea 



Seojoekqnody 

Scoy 

Seoy-gn-qnaidea 

Skadoekqnay 

Shendyoogfagwatte 

Skajaqna^ee 

Skendyoughgwatti 

Sken-dynh-gwa-dih 

Bquajaqna^ 



Early Buffalo aettlen called the stream ^'Kenjoekety's ereek,'' 
after an Indian who had his home on its hank eaat of IHagara 
street The Seneeaa called him Sga-dynh'-gwa-dih (aeeording to O. 
H. Marshall), or Sken>dyough-gwat-ti (aeeording to MiKioiiaiy 
Asher Wright), meaning ''beyond the mnltitade." Our modem 
spelling appears to be a modifleation of the Beneea word| rather than 
of the Kah-kwah or Neater langoage. All the speUinga^ obvioa^yf 
are attempts to represent in English the native pronniiciation. 

The earliest Kenjoekety of whom we have elear reeord was 
known to Buffalo's first settlers as John. He claimed, and iba 
Indian neighbors a^nowledged, that he was no 8eneea» but a 
Kah-kwah, hia ancestors since 1600-51 presumably haying lired with 
theur Beneea conquerors. Aeeording to John Eeajockety's son 
Philip, the family, before the American Bevolution, lived on Toiia- 
wanda island in the Niagara. Later, John lived, as above stated, on 
the bank of the stream that now bears his name. BtiU later, his 
cabin was opposite Farmer's Point on Buffalo creek. He was a 
famous hunter and — after the whites came — a famooa dmnkavd. 
Betuming to his cabin, after a fatal visit to Buffalo village, he died 
by the wayside. The date of his burial has been preserved — October 
7, 1808. 

He left at least three sons, Philip, George and Joseph. Phil^t 
who was over 20 years of age when his father died, was a familiar 
figure in early Buffalo, and lived to a great age, his death oeearriag 
April 1, 1866. The Cowrier at that time said of him: 



was more 



The aged Indian Ska-dyoh-gwa-deh, or as he 
familiarly known, Philip Kenjockety, died last Sunday afternoon at 
Newtown on the Oattaraugus Beservation. 

Kenjockety was the oldest resident of this region. He came 
to "Buffalo Greek" with the Benecas soon after the Bevolutionary 
War, when they were driven from their homes in the Genesee Valley 
by the devastating expedition of General Bullivan. His great- 
grandfather was a member of an almost mythological raee^-the 
Kah-kwahs, whose rude wigwama, tradition tells us, were once i^anted 



EDITORIAL NOTES 315 

OB the site of our beoatifal dty. The Kah-kwahs were eztemun- 
ated hj the more powerful and warlike Seneeas about the year 1651, 
and the great-grandfather of Philip, one of the few gurvivors, was 
adopted into that nation. His grandeon, John, acquired great influ- 
enee in the nation, and became a diief . It was through his repre- 
sentation that the Seneeas were induced to settle upon the banks of 
the Niagara when driven from the Genesee. When the whites came, 
here they found him living near the creek that now bears his name. 
He died in 1808. 

Philip Kenjockety was a person of wonderful vigor, and died 
at a very advanced age. It is generally believed that he was from 
120 to 130 years old, bat this estimate is probably incorrect. It is 
impossible to ascertain his exact age, but it is well established that 
he was nearfy 100 years old at the time of his death. His mind was 
dear and his memwy unusually correct, and much information about 
the Indians as connected with the early history of Buifalo has been 
lately gathered from his lips. "Mth him has passed away one of the 
few remaining links between the past and the present. May hia 
spirit find rest In the happy hunting-grounds of his ftithers. 

A few incidents regarding Philip Kenjockety have been pre- 
served. One of them, recorded by WiDiam 0. Bryant, in volume I^ 
Buffalo HIstorieal Society PubUeatiomsi tella how Orlando Allen 
nearly put an end to Philip's career by bleeding him, in the absence 
of Dr. CSiapin, who had been called on for this operation, which was 
popular among the Indians. The mighty hunter nearly died from 
loss of blood, and was laid up in his cabin for three months; but, 
it is reeorded, he cherished no resentment against Mr. Allen. 

In June, 1866, Philip Kenjockety was called as a witness in a 
suit before the Gircuit Court in Buffalo, concerning the title to lands 
on Buffalo Greek. His testimony as reported in the Buffalo Com- 
Meroiol of June 20th was picturesque and of some historical vahie* 
He gave his age as 101 years and said that he was bom near Tona- 
wanda ''and lived there till — using his own language— 'he was 

so high' raising his hand about three feet from the floor. The first 

war of which he had any recollection was a battle between the 
Oberokees and Seneeas near the banks of the Ohio river when he was 
about eight years old. 

"From his home in Tonawanda he went to Fort George (^po- 
sits Fort Niagara and during the Bevohition was engaged with the 
British and Seneeas against the Americans. The f onner were 
driven before the Americans, and Gonjockety (as the CommtfMl 
then spelled it) came up and settled at this place below the Salt Lick 
on the Buffalo Greek. He was in the engagement at Little Beards- 
town in 1779, when General Sullivan, after a desperate struggle, 
repulsed the S^tish and Indians. He was also present at the treaty 



316 EDITORIAL NOTES 

of Fort Stanwiz on the Mohawk in October, 1784, for the ncgotU- 
tion of peace. At this treaty were alao present Bed Jacket and 
Lafayette; the former etrenaooalj oppoeed borying the hatehet." 
After an allnaion to Philip's roceeee as a hunter in the AIlegiMoy 
region of Western Pennsylrania the CofnmerokH writer adds: 

"This relic of antiqtdty has been living for a number of yetra 
on the Oattaraogns Beservation. and is today hale and hearty. IBQa 
^esight is good, his Toiee strong and dear for one so dd, his f oim 
bat little bent. A few days since he was invited to go into Oida- 
man's Gallery to look at the ezeeUent portrait of Tommy Jimmy, 
the celebrated chief of the Benecas, now dead. After looking at the 
pietue for a momentt he turned away with the expression, 'IJghl 
gone vp\' and left." 

It soffioes merely to call attention to an obvions error in tiie 
above statement: There was no "Fort George opposite Fort 
Niagara" during the Revolution; neither were there any "Ameri- 
cans" who contended with the British on the Niagara, as is here 
made to appear. There is confusion here with incidents of the 
War of 1812. 

For further statements regarding Kenjockety, the philology of 
the name, etc., the reader is referred to O. H. Marshall's paper, 
"The Niagara Frontier," Vol. II., Buffalo Historical Society 
Publications. 

A writer whose identity is concealed rather than revealed by the 
signature "C," in the Commeroiai Advertiser of March 23, 1861, 
relates that among the customers of Alexander Douglas, Senior, a 
well-known trader of early days who lived at the village of F6rt Erie, 
were the family "Skandauchguaty, now ordinarily written Coai' 
jaquady." "That the Skandauchguatys," he says, *'were not only 
of one of the first families of Buffalo, but people of good repute, 
seems manifest from their ability to contract monetary obligations, 
the date of which proves my first proposition." He then submits 
copies of several "notes of hand/' written in duplicate; that is, by 
the merchant, Alexander Douglas, in plain English, also in Indian 
cypher. "In the signature both united, the merchant by writing the 
name of the payee, the Skandauchguaty by making his mark between 
the Christian and the surname (if the reader will permit me to sup- 
pose an unbaptised aborigine had a Christian name)." 

In illustration the following notes were shown: 

Good to Alex. Douglas or order for Twenty-four Dollars and a 
half, for value received. 

his 
Jack X Skandauohottatt. 
Bertie, April 18, 1808. mark 



EDITORIAL NOTES 317 

Good to AleoET. Dooglas or order for Three DoUan and a halfi 
for Talue reeeived. 

bia 
JOBXPH X Skakdavohgvatt. 
Oet. Slaty 1807. mark 



Oood to Alezr. Douglas or order for Ten Dollars and a half, for 
Talue received. 

his 
GlOBOX X Skanaauohgitatt. 
mark 
Bertie, July 8th, 1807. 

Good to Aleocr. Douglas or order for Twentj-three Dollars Six 
Shillings and Six Pence New York curreney, for yalne received. 

his 
Philip Z Skandauohguatt. 
mark 
Oetober 17th, 1807. 



An odd featue of these notes is that each was marked with a 
drele, like the letter <<0,'' for each dollar, with a straight Une for 
eaeh shilling and a shorter line for each sixpoioe; when partial 
payment was made— not on the abore notes, but on similar notes 1^ 
other Indians-^endorsement was made by drawing a line throa|^ 
the dollar, shilling or sixpence symbol on the face of the note. The 
facetious author of the article here summarised adds: 

''I carefully scmtinized the above evidences of debt, hoping to 
discover that forgetting to pay was not one of the early customs 
of the First Families of Buifalo, but no endorsement appears. On 
the other hand, by a memorandum upon one of them I discover Philip 
was in soiBeiently good repute, as late as 1809, to obtain additional 
credit for 'six shillings' worth of cloth, one shilling's worth of 
tobacco, and twenty-seven shillings' worth of blanket' and then tried 
the experiment of repudiation; thus Pennsylvania and Mississippi 
are only imitators of a custom established by one of our First 
FamiHes." 

WAS THE SLOOUM OAPTIVE A PABE3» ANCEBTOBf 

(Chapter II, page 21.) 

The problem of the blood ancestry of the Parker family is 
rendered difficult in the face of the tradition of I^raaees Sloeum, 
a Quaker girl carried into captivity by Indians in 1778. In the 
family traditions there is reference to the mother of William, who 



318 EDITORIAL NOTES 

it is uid .was the dftoghter of the eaptive Sioenin woduul The 
memben of the f amilj aie hj no means agreed upon this, howefer, 
for William's mother is also referred to as an Indian woman who 
had lived at Allegany and who with her boys followed Handsome 
Lake in his flight to Tonawanda. 

General Parker nnder date of September 5thy 1891, left a 
memorandnm eonoeming the tradition of the Sloeom woman as 
follows: 

"Samuel and William Parker with their mother came with 
Handsome Lake, when Oomplanter drove him away from Anegaay, 
to Tonawanda, from which pc^t he eontinned to disseminate the 
moral eode he was reeeiTing from the agents of the Great l^ilrit. 
(It is also said that there was another Parker brother, making three 
who eame to Tonawanda, who was accidentally killed by the falling 
of a tree upon him.) The mother was the daughter of a captive 
woman whoee family name was Sloeiim, and which family resided 
somewhere in Pennsylvania. The Parkers' mother was sabseqnently 
returned to her family in Pennsylvania by a Quaker named Jaeobs, 
who was in some way connected with the Quaker Indian school 
establiflihed »t an early day on or adjoining the Allegany Indian 
Beservation. The Parkers' mother was the ofhpring of the Sloeom 
woman and a French oi&cer at Fort Niagara where her Indian 
relatives had taken her on some of their trading expeditions. The 
Slocum woman did not want to leave her French husband when the 
Indians were ready to leave but her Indian relatives compelled 
her to return with them to Allegany and there the Parker 
mother was born. This child the mother took with hw when she 
escaped down the Allegheny river from the Indians with Jacobs, but 
her two Indian uncles pursued her in their canoe and overtook them 
ere nightf alL They took the child back with them but permitted 
the Slocum woman to return to her white relatives. The child grew 
up among the Indians and became the Parkers' mother. She died 
at Tonawanda somewhere between 1820 and 1825. Her issue was 
three sons and two daughters, all of whom are now dead. ^V^Iliam 
Parker my father, died in April, 1864 (when I was at Golpeper 
Court House with Grant during the war of the Bebellion). I judge 
that his age must have been about 75. He was in the War of 181S 
and was wounded in the Battle of Chippewa near Niagarar FaUs. 
His brother Samuel died in 1879 or 1880 and was aged about 90 

years. " 

If this account is true and the chUd of the Slocum captive 

was indeed the grandmother of Ely S. Parker, he then was three 

quarters Seneca and one quarter French and English. This fact 



EDITORIAL NOTES 319 

would have made William and Samod Parker ineligible to hold 
■aefaemahips in the tribal organintion, einee deeeent ie through the 
mother and the aaehemehips descend throngh the mother. How- 
ever, we find that in spite of this or perhaps beeanse there was no 
maternal wiiite aneestor, Samnel Parker did become a sachem and 
a tribal chief of the Tonawaada band. 

Odonel Parker's diaappearaaee on the eve of his marriage 
ooessioned many fsntastic tales in the press. A Washington corre- 
spondent of the New York Tribune gave wide current to the fietion 
that Ctolonel Parker dodged the proposed marriage becaose he alxeadj 
had an Indian wife and children. This bmng reprinted in the Boifalo 
Commerckd of Bee. 19, 1867, drew forth an indignant denial by 
"W. K.," whose letter, printed in the C<nMmeroUU of Dec 26, 1867, 
quoted the Bey. Asher Wright: ''I have been acquainted with 
Colonel Parker from his boyhood, and the singular persistent with 
which he has avoided evexy implication of matrimony among his 
own people, has won my unqualified admiration. • . . His 
'Indian family' is a pure invention." The same writer undertook to 
trace Ck>L Paper's ancestry, as follows: 

The family of Golonel Parker had its origin in the connection 
of a French ofllcer who was stationed at Fort DuQuesne [ !] when that 
poet was occupied by the French, with a Seneca woman. The 
offspring of this connection was a daughter. On the withdrawal 
of the officer from that post, he wanted to take the child with him; 
of course this was strenuously objected to by the mother, and by the 
advice and through the assistance of her friends and family, she 
started with her child for the home of her parents, which was then 
on the Ohio river. The officer becoming aware of the flight of the 
mother with her child, sent a squad of soldiers in pursuit. They 
followed with such vigor, that the fear of being overtaken prompted 
the mother to commit the ehUd to an Indian runner, who with the 
child bound to his back, took the direction through the unbroken 
forest to the principal town of the Seneoas, then at Chen-is-se-o 
(Genesee river). He arrived in safety with the child, where in due 
time it was joined by the mother. The child grew to be a very 
beautiful girl. She was eHher the grandmother, or great-grand- 
mother of Col. Parker. 

In regarding Frances Slocum "and a French officer at Fort 
Niagara" as his possible ancestors, General Parker was obviously 
repeating an utterly impossible story, since there were no Freneh 
oflteers at Fort Niagara after 1769, or Fort DuQuesne either, and 
Frances Slocum was not bom until April, 1774. She was four years 
and seven months old when carried off from her Wyoming>valley home 
by Delaware Indians, November, 1778. But on these and other points 
bearing on our subject, tee Buffalo Historical Society Publications, 



320 EDITORIAL NOTES 

VoL EEt pp. 291-2d8; aUm>, ' ' Fianeea Slocum* tiM lost aistw of Wyon- 
ing," by her grmnd-nieoe Martha Bennett Phelpe. (N. 7. 1M6.) 
It may be noted here that General Parker's Antoblogr^hy (Pnb- 
licationa, Bof. Hiat Soc'y, VoL VIII, p. 628) eaje he " waa bom 
of poor but honest Indian parents." 



"A PBOPHBCT PULPILLBD." 
(Ghapter IV, page 48.) 

The prophecy referred to in the text> page 48, was written down 
by Harriet Maxwell Converse, who had the facts from Tonawanda. 
Indians. In sabstance it is as follows: 

About four months previons to the birth of her son Bly, Mrs. 
Parker entered the Ctouneil House near Indian Falls, then on the 
Tonawanda Beservatlon near Batavia, and plaeed herself before the 
national prophet as a candidate for a mystwy interpretation. Bhe 
related that a strange vision had been shown to her in a dream. 
Bhe was in Buffalo near the Granger farm in the winter, and a 
heavy snow was falling. Suddenly the sky opened, the clouds were 
swept back by an invisible hand and she beheld a rainbow that 
reached f rcmi the Beservatlon to the Granger farm, when it was 
suddenly broken in tiie middle of the sky. From the lower side of 
the rainbow were strange pictures, which she recognised as resembling 
the signs over the little shops in Buffalo. Of course she could not 
read, but she noticed the characteristics of the English alphabet. 
The dream troubled her, and she was restless until she had eon- 
suited the prophet, who said to her: "A son will be bom to you 
who will be distinguished among his nation as a peace-maker; he 
will become a white man as well as an Indian, with great learning; 
he will be a warrior for the pale-faces; he will be a wise white man, 
but will never desert his Indian people nor lay down his horns 
(his title as saehem) as a great Iroquois chief; his name will reach 
from the east to the west, the north to the south, as great among 
his Indian family and the pale-faces. His sun will rise on Indian 
land and set on the white man's land. Yet the ancient land of his 
ancestors will fold him in death." 



GENERAL PARKER'S NAME 

• Mrs. Morton M. Wifaier of Buffalo, a great-granddaughter of Rev. 
Ely Stone, some years since made inquiry of General Parker regarding 
his name. He sent to her the following reply: 



9 



*• ■*: 



> . r^fSj 



► "^ 



* • 

• e ^ 

' e 



• <• 












EDITORIAL NOTES 321 

New Yobk, May 28, 1895. 

Mbb. Edith L. Wilnxb, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Dbab Madam: — I take pleasure in acknowledging yours of the 0th 
inst. Yes, I remember the Rev. £3y Stone very well as a Baptist eler^- 
man connected with the Indian Mission School once in operation adjom* 
ing the Tonawanda Indian Reseryation. I was veiy 3roun|[ when placed 
at thia school, and it was said that I was named after thia dergyman. 
My father's name being "Parker," I subsequently added Sat of 
'Talker" to my name, and have borne it through life. 

I am with respect, 

Your Obdt. Serv't, 

Ely S. Pabkbr. 

THE MOUNTPLEASANTS 

The Mountpleasant family has long been prominent in Western 
New York; indeed, no name among the Tuscaroras is more distinguished. 

The earliest of whom we have inf onnation was John Mountpleasant, 
not an Indian but an EngliHhman, a captain in the British army during 
the Revolutionary War. He married an Oneida woman and was sta- 
tioned at Fort Mackinac when his son was bom in 1779. In 1781, the 
family came to the Niagara frontier, where Captain John is said to have 
been in command for a time at Fort Niagara. No official record of 
thia is found. Later he was ordered to Montreal, and never returned 
to the Niagara. He is supposed to have been killed. 

His son, John Mountpleasant 2d, also known as captain, served in 
the War of 1812 — ^it is said he was with the British at Queenston Heights 
— ^married Sally Jack, a Tuscarora woman, and died in 1854. 

His son, John Mountpleasant 3d, whose portrait we publish, was 
bom in 1810 on the Tuscarora reservation. In 1827 he was elected 
a chief. In 1831 he married Jane Green, a daughter of his tribe. She 
dying, he took for second wife in 18M, the Seneca girl, Caroline G. 
Parker, sister of Ely S. Parker. Chief Mountpleasant, though of mixed 
ancestry, was repreeentative of the best qualities of the English and 
the Indian. Thrifty, energetic and upright, he was held in high respect* 
He became a trustee of the Thomas Indian Orphan Asylum, and was 
a member of the Buffalo Historical Society. He owned a laige farm, 
was noted for his hospitality and did much to elevate the standard of 
living among the Tuscaroras. He died May 6, 1887. 

Caroline Parker Mountpleasant, who survived him, was the only 
girl in a family of eight children. Our author's narrative has delight- 
fully pictured the home conditions of this remarkable family. Caroline 
was educated at the Normal Academy at Albany, and after her mar- 
riage with Chief Mountpleasant removed to his home on the Tuscarora 
reservation, where she continued to reside until her death, March 19, 



822 EDITORIAL NOTES 

1882. In a aketoh written shortly after her death by her friend, Mrs. 
Hairiet Maxwell Converoe, we read: 

"The late Mib. Moim^easent, often called 'the Queen of the Tus- 
eeioru' — a title which she amiably imoted-— was a woman of com- 
manding presence and markedly typed as an Indian, rather inclined 
to their mnerent haughtiness, which, though repellent to the impertinent 
intrusions of strangers, softened down to true hospitali^ and affec- 
tionate iri«rfnflMQ to those who were her proven friends. With the self- 
sustained dignity which harmonised with the loftiness of her character, 
there was an underoorrent of the very simplicity of ^oitieness in her 
friendship, the rarity of which only those whose pnvilege it was to 
know her well, could understand. 

"She was gifted with a keenness of intuition that rendered her an 
invaluable aid to her husband in his national affairs, and though she 
never interfered with the politics or ffovenmiental authority of the 
TuscAToras save by a contmual and mm opposition to severalty <rf 
lands, which she feared would be unjustly divided, her influence was 
more widely felt and powerful by reason of her moral example and 
diutfitablelosralty to her people. . . As a hostess her demeanor was the 
same whether entertaining 'peer or commoner,' by reason of a gentle 
courtesy 'to the manner bom.' Flatteiy nor fulsome adulation could 
disturb the steady poise of her mind nor degenerate it into f orgetf ulness 
of her birth-pride oi station as a representative of the American Indians. 
... It has been said that Mrs. Mountpleasant was the most re- 
markable woman of the Iroquois Indians.' No loftier praise could be 
rendered her and no kinder eulogy pronounced to her memoiy." 

In September, 1801, while visiting her former home in the Tona- 
wanda reservation, she was stricken with paralysis, and here, after a 
long illness, she died. And now comes in an interesting reminder off 
andent tribal customs. At her death a delegation of leading men off 
the Tuscaroras visited the Tonawandas (who are Senecas) and requested 
the honor of her remains, that they might convey them to their own 
reservation; but as by the law of the Tuscaroras, who still hold the 
tribal rule, the dans are not pennitted to be separated even by burial, 
she could not lie by the side of her late husband, who was a member of 
the Bear dan of the Tuscaroras. Her relatives of the Wolf dan of the 
Senecas dedded it was the wisest and kindest course that she should 
test by the side of her father and mother, and so it was. 

The present editor may be pennitted a brief allusion to his own 
slight acquaintance with this remarkable woman. On the occasion of 
his own adoption into the Seneca nation, as a member of the Snipe dan, 
Mrs. Mountpleasant shared in the ceremony, and at its dose pinned 
upon his coat the andent silver brooch which was a qrmbol of his new 
relationship. 

Three ways of speUing the family name occur with perhaps equal 
frequency: Mt. Pleasant, Mount Pleasant and Mountpleasant. The 
last is praf erred. 



EDITORIAL NOTES 323 

M9S. HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE 

Our readers may weloome some further introduction to Mrs. Harriet 
Maxwell Converse, with ^om General Parker maintained an inter- 
esting correspondence for some years, as set forth in Chapter 15 of Mr. 
Parker's narrative. 

People who casually met Mrs. Converse and knew of her devotion 
to the welfare of the Lidians, often asked if she were not in part of 
Lidian blood. There was little or nothing in her personal appearance 
to warrant the question, but there was some warrant for it in the 
peculiar relations of her family to the Lidians of Western New York for 
three generations. Her great-grandfather, Guy Maxwell, came from 
Scotland in 1768 and settled at Martinsburg, Va.; her grandfather, of 
the same name, came from Virginia into Western New York in 1792. 
He was an Indian trader and so won the friendship of the Indians that 
they adopted him. His son, Thomas Maxwell, also an Indian trader, 
was in turn adopted by the Senecas. Thomas was the father of Har- 
riet, whose mother died early, and Harriet went to live with an aunt 
at Milan, Ohio, where she attended for a time at the same school as did 
Thomas Edison. In 1861, she married FrankUn Converse of Westfield, 
Mass., a muaidan. 

Mrs. Converse inherited from her father a considerable fortune and 
for some years Mr. and Mrs. Converse traveled widely in this country 
and abroad, and Mrs. Converse devoted herself largely to literary work. 
Of a poetic temperament, she wrote and published a volume or two of 
verse and was a welcome contributor to numerous periodicals. Her 
qnnpathetio interest becoming aroused in the welfare of the Indians, 
to whom she had naturally been a friend by reason of the peculiar rela- 
tions of her father and grandfather, she devoted most of her time and 
energy in later life to studying the condition of the Reservation Indians, 
in working in their behalf, and in writing. She was especially active 
in opposition to the Whipple bill, the enactment of which was urged in 
1801. This measure contemplated the bestowal of full dtisenship on 
the Indians, which in the judgment of many friends of the Indians 
meant the abandonment of the reservation system, thus placing the 
unsophisticated Indian at the mercy of the land sharks and others who 
ever stood ready to despoil them regardless of justice. The Whipple 
bill was defeated and in recognition of her work and of her genuine 
friendship, she was adopted a member of the Seneca Nation. The fol- 
lowing year she received the unique honor of being made a chief. This 
occurred at a ceremony known as the Condolence, held on the Tona- 
wanda Reservation, S^tember, 1801. From that time till her death, 
she was recognised by the Senecas and by the other tribes of the Six 
Nations as a f uUy qualified chief, authorised to look after the welfare 



324 EDITORIAL NOTES 

of her adopted people. She was given the name of Gaiiwanoh, "The 
Watcher." 

She was early led into an intimate acquaintance with General 
Parker, and it waa in recognition of her published writings in behalf of 
his people that he sent her the following letter, the original of which 
is owned by the Buffalo Historical Society: 

Faibfibld, Conn., Jan'y 18, 1805. 

. . I have enjoyed reading these articles very much, because the^ 
are written bv one who has been much amon^ them, knows their politi- 
cal and social organisations, understands their civil polity and reugious 
bdiefs and customs and can give correct dates of events. Havins also 
been adopted and honored as chief by the people she writes about, 
and having been initiated by them into some of their ancient and mjrs- 
terious ceremonies, enables her to give authority to her statements 
which no other writer can do. I am delighted that this talented person 
has the spirit, inclination and wiUingnees to give her information to 
the general public, who I hope will appreciate her praiseworthy efforts. 

Ely S. Pabksb, 

To "Tbe Snipe," N. Y. IrogwM Sachan. 

Mrs. Converse improved her opportunities both in Western New 
York and among the Grand River Indians in Canada, to collect wam- 
pum belts and other artidee, now for the most part rare, illustrative of 
Indian life. Ultimately most of her collections, including the very valu- 
able wampum, became the property of the State and are preserved in the 
State Museum at Albany. 

When the Vreeland bill, which was so drawn as to force the Senecas 
to pay $3,000,000 for the extinguishment of the daim of the Ogden 
Land Company to their lands, was pending in Congress, Mrs. Converse 
wrote many able letters in opposition. These appeared in leading 
newspapers and were in some degree influential in the final defeat of 
thebiU. 

Mrs. Converse died at her home in New York City, Novanber 18, 
1903, a few weeks after the death of her husband. Her woric entitles 
her memory to be preserved with that of two other American women 
noted for their interest in the Indian and devotion to his welfare. One 
of these, Mrs. Erminie A. Smith of Jersey City, noted for her researches 
in Indian languages, in the service of the United States Bureau of Eth- 
nology, was adopted a member of the Tuscarora Nation. Mrs. Helen 
Hunt Jackson, whose tale of ''Ramona" and whose historical work "A 
Century of Dishonor," made her famous the world over, is the third of 
tlus trio of American women, whom history will remember for their 
devotion to the cause of the Indian. 



EDITORIAL NOTES 326 



ttr 



THE TRIAL OF RED JACKET" 

AUudon has been made in the foregoing narrative to the so-called 
trial of Red Jacket. The incident took place in 1802, on the banks of 
Buffalo Creek, the site, altered bejrond any possible recognition, having 
been long included within the city limits of Buffalo. Fortunately, the 
scene has been perpetuated by a painting of great historical value, the 
work of James M. Stanley. This artist, bom in Canandaigua, Jan. 17, 
1814, spent his boyhood in Buffalo, and knew Red Jacket and the vicin- 
ity of Buffalo Creek when it still retained a primeval character. Stanley 
early devoted himself to art, for at twenty-one he was painting portraits 
in Detroit, having removed to Michigan in 1834. In 1837 he made 
Chicago his home, then removed to Galena, Bl., and in the years that 
followed roamed far and wide, devoting himself chiefly to his chosen 
subject of Indian portraiture. We find him at Fort SneUing, Minn., at 
that time a resort for many Western tribes. After a period during which 
he followed his profession in New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
Troy and perhaps other eastern cities, he set out in 1842 on a long tour 
of the wild regions beyond the Mississippi. At Fort Gibson, Arkansas, 
in Texas and New Mexico, he painted portraits of chiefs and warriors in 
full costume. He was attached to the Kearney and Emory expeditions 
across the Rocky Mountains, and after doing much important work for 
the Government, especially in California, visited Oregon, sketching 
native types and sceneiy, especially in the region of the upper Columbia. 
After a year in the Sandwich Islands, he returned to Washington, where 
he resided and worked from 1851 to 1803, after which he made Detroit 
his pennanent home. 

During his Washington residence he completed one hundred and 
fifty-two portraits, many of them life size, of the leading men of forty- 
two tribes. By travel and residence among them he had made himself 
b^ond question a high authority on Indian life and character. This 
splendid collection, of inestimable value, was placed in the Smithsonian 
Institution, where, in 1865, it was totally destroyed by fire. 

Mr. Stanley had collected for the Government a large quantity of 
relics and curiosities, articles illustrating aboriginal life, but the greater 
part of them were lost in transportation at sea. 

In his later years he painted portraits of many prominent men, and 
was one of the founders of a gallery of paintings which was later ac- 
quired by the city of Detroit. He died in that dty of heart disease, 
April 10, 1872. 

The most important example of his work now in existence is his 
'Trial of Red Jacket". It is owned by his family, which, it is reported, 
has valued it at $30,000. For some yean it has hung in the Historical 



326 EDITORIAL NOTES 

Building at Buffalo. The canvas, five feet ten inches high by nine 
fe^t two inches wide, contains the portraits of seventy-two Indians, 
with the costumes and ornaments of their time, shown in the various 
attitudes which characterise Indians in council. Among the figures 
towards the rear of the group appeals a white man, said to be the 
missionary, Samuel Kirkland. In the background, under great base* 
woods, winds the placid Buffalo Creek. 

A reproduction of this picture, fairly satisfactory, considering the 
great reduction in size, is herewith presented. Modem artists seldom 
paint in the minute, studied manner of this canvas, a chief value of 
which IB the almost photographic record which it presents of Seneca 
oostume, ornament and physiognomy. 

The historical incident upon which the artist has founded his pic- 
ture, is as follows: Complanter, the Chief of the Six Nations, had 
become jealous of the rising popularity of Red Jacket, and determined 
to destroy him. For this purpose he consulted with his brother. The 
Prophet, and the two fabricated charges of sorcery — a deadly sin with 
the Indians — against Red Jacket. The scene represented by the artist 
is the trial of the great chief upon those charges. Complanter is 
the principal figure seated at the right. Handsome Lake stands at thc) 
extreme left. Red Jacket is r^resented as standing in the midst of the 
oouncilv in the act of delivering his great speech of three hours in his 
own defence. The artist paints him as turning towards Handsome Lake, 
with an expression of scorn and contempt, accusing him of aiming a 
blow at him in the dark, when he had not the manhood to meet him 
face to faoe. 

The defence was so full and complete that the council at onoe dis- 
missed the charges, repudiated Complanter's claims, and restored Red 
Jacket to his wonted position' as a pinetree chief of the Six Nations. 

THE RED JACKET MEDAL 

Ely S. Parker was the last grand sachem of the Iroquois to own 
the so-called Red Jacket medal. It was owned successively by Red 
Jacket, who received it from President Washington in 1792; by James 
Johnson, Red Jacket's nephew, "whose Seneca name was Sosawah; and 
after his death, by Ely S. Parker. After General Parker's death the 
Buffalo Historical Society bought the medal from his widow, and now 
holds it. Its actual ownership has been claimed by the Seneca nation» 
but at the time of purchase that people formally expressed the wish 
that the medal should be kept by the Buffalo Historical Society. 

It is one of the earliest American historical medals, and, for its 
history, one of the most valuable. Other medals resembling it are in 



a 8 

Si 






• • • •• fc 

>. »> *. • ^4»* 






««> 



EDITORIAL NOTES 827 

ezistenoe, and their poflsessors have from time to time claimed to have 
the original Red Jadcet medal. These claims would not have been so 
strenuously asserted, in countless newspaper letters, had the writers 
been in possession of the facts, a summary of which follows. 

Several medals of similar type were made at the United States 
Mint, under the direction of Dr. David Rittenhouse, from 1792 to 1795. 
One of them, doeely resembling the Red Jacket medal, is dated 1793. 
As these medals were not struck, but engraved — and much of the 
engraving is light scratching, on thin silver — even a casual examination 
disoovers individual differences. 

The obverse (pictured herewith), shows Washington in uniform, 
bareheaded, facing to the right, presenting a pipe to an Indian chief, 
who smokes it; the Indian is standing and has a large medal suspended 
from his neck. On the left is a pine tree, at its foot a tomahawk; in 
the background a farmer plowing. Below ia engraved: George Wcuhr 
ingUm, PreeiderU, 179B, The reverse shows the arms and crest of the 
United States on the breast of an eagle, which holds an olive branch in 
its right talon, a sheaf of airows in its left, and in its beak a ribbon with 
the motto, E Pluribus Union; above, a glory breaking through clouds 
surrounded by thirteen stars. The medal is oval, six and three fourths 
by five inches, with raised rim and ring at top. 

At the Greenville treaty of 1795, between the United States and 
representatives of the Hurons, Delawares and other tribes, medals 
were given to the Indian signers which are facsimiles of the Red Jacket 
medal, with the date changed to 1795. 

For an account of the conference in Philadelphia, March-April, 
1792, at which the medal was presented to Red Jacket, the reader is 
referred to Stone's "Life and Times of Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, or Red Jacket," 
chapter four. Several other medals like it were presented, it is under- 
stood, to other Indians in 1792 and 1793. 

It would be interesting to leam their present whereabouts. The 
Historical Society of Pennsylvania has two— the Washington, 1793, and 
the Greenville, Aug. 2, 1795. Another is owned by tiie Red Jacket 
Club of Canandaigua. The late George H. Harris of Rochester, in a 
letter to Hon. George S. Conover of Geneva, Januaiy 11, 1893, under- 
took to trace the history of that medal, and stated in substance that 
after the death of the original Indian owner — ^whose name is not given — 
the medal came into the keeping of Jasper Panish, interpreter and 
government agent. He is said to have received it from Red Jacket, to 
whom it was delivered, after the death of the original owner, with a 
request that it be returned to the United States Government. In pass- 
ing it on to Jasper Parrish, who was a representative of the government, 
Bed Jacket very likely beUeved he was fulfilling the request. This is 
supposed to be the medal now in the keeping of the Red Jacket Club. 



328 EDITORIAL NOTES 

Soon after that club acquired it, when its histoiy was under discuasion 
General Parker addreBsed the foUowing letter to his friend, Mr. Con- 
over, widely known for his researches in New York State history. 

Nbw York, March 0, '91. 
Oao. S. CoNOVKB, Esq., 

Geneva, N. Y. 

Dbab Sm: — ^Permit me to thank you sincerely and heartily for 3rour 
able circular and letter, dated February, 1801, on the Washington Red 
Jacket Medal. 

It seems that your article was written in consequence of a medal 
purporting to ha¥e belonged to the famous Indian orator havins been 
presented to the Red Jacket Club at Canandaigua by Mrs. Thomas 
Francis Meagher, a grand-daughter of Capt. Jasper Parrish of Canan- 
daigua, whilom interpreter for the Seneca Indians. 

I saw this medal during its exhibition a short time ago at TifiFany ft 
Co.'s jewelry store on Union Square in this city. It viras labelled 'The 
Red Jacket Medal." I took pams to assure Tinanjr's people that it was 
not a Red Jacket Medal, nor the one he wore throushout his life, and 
at the same time showed them the genuine medal which is in mypos- 
session. I also took an early opportunity of writing to the Hon. Tlios. 
Howell of Canandaigua about it, and ga¥e it as my firm conviction 
that Red Jacket never wore, or owned, this medal. It is, however, a 
genuine Washington Indian medal, shaped and inscribed on both sioes 
like mine, with same date, viz. : 1792. Its longest diameter is about five 
inches, mine is seven inches. I suggested to Mr. Howell that it would 
be well to advise the Club of the preceding facts. Whetiier he has 
done so or not, I am unable to say. 

Perhaps it would be well for nistory if this medal question should 
now be definitely settled. But how can this be done? It is almost a 
century since these medals were given, and I believe nearly all of the 
present possessors of the Washington Indian medals have began to 
trace their ownership back to Red Jacket. Besides mine and this one 
at Canandaigua, I near of one being in some cdlection at Albany, 
another in the collection of the Pennsylvania Historical Society at 
Philadelphia, and still another in Texas. 

At Red Jacket's death, in accordance with Indian custom, my 
medal was given by his relations, in the distribution of his perBonia 
effects, to one James Johnson, a favorite nephew of his, and at that 
time a young and jpromiaing cnief . Johnson retained it about twenty 
years, and at my installation as leading Sachem of the Iroquois Con- 
federacy in 1851, 1 was fonnally invested with it by the master of cere- 
speaker remarking the fact that 
my tribal relative, Red Jacket, 
as evidence of the bond of per- 
petual peace and friendship established and entered into between the 
people of the United States and the Six Nations of Indians at the time 
of its presentation. There were scores of chiefs and other Indians 
present at this ceremony who personally had known Red Jacket and 
were familiar with the medal, and it is not probable or supposable that 
ihef aU would have been deceived as to its genuineness, or countenanced 
an imposition by having a bogus medal placed about my neck on so 
important an occasion. 




THE RED JACKET MEDAL 
Presented by Washington to Red Jacket, 1792. Passed to his nephew, 
SoH-a-wah (James Johnson), and from him to Do-ne-ho-ga-wa (ElyS. Parker). 
Purchased from Gen. Parker's widow by the Buffalo HiB'orical Society. See 
Editorial Notes, Pai^ 326. 






• • •> • ^ • • 

• • • •» • • 



••• 
.• .r !•!••• "•• 



EDITORIAL NOTES 820 

I have ainoe met many old settlen of Buffalo and Tioiiiity, among 
whom I win only mention Hon. O. H. ManhalL Orlando Allen, H. B. 
Pottcff, John Ganaon. Benj. Dole, Mr. Sibl^, Mr. Turner (author of 
the '^Holland Land Porchaae/') who have aaked me to ahow them the 
medal, and thoy have inatantly and invariably reoogniied it aa the one 
thfl^ had 80 often aeen worn by Bed Jacket^ and alao the bead atring by 
which it ia auapended. 

Tlie Waahington medals are all inaoribed alike upon both aidea, vail- 
ing only in aiae and date. Mine ia a large one and dated 1792 — ^haa thuv 
teen atara; the eagle holding thirteen arrowa in one elaw and an olive 
branch in the other. 

Reapectfully youra, etc., 

£lt S. Pabkbb, 

or DiHW-h<hgiP^wa, Iroquoia Sachmn, 

Red Jacket'a own medal ia aaid — ^we know not with what trutib— 
to have been more than once put in pawn, or pledge, by him, for drink; 
but at any rate, ita whereabouta waa not loat eight of, and ainoe the 
great orator'a death ita ownerahip haa been aa above atated. 

The Cayuga chief, O-ja-geht-ti or FLsh Carrier, received a aimilar 
medal from Pteaident Waahington. Some thirty yeara or more ago, a 
number of Cayugaa living in Canada employed a Buffalo attorney to 
urge a claim in their behalf for a portion of the annuity granted by the 
United States Government to Cayugaa living in the United Statea. At 
thia time they exhibited Fish Carrier'a medal. Ita preeent whereabouta 
have not been inquired into, but it ia not unlikely that it is preaerved 
on the Grand River reservation in Canada. 

In 1002 the Sona of the Revolution had a reduced reproduction of 
the Red Jacket medal struck in silver. It is oval, four by three inchea, 
with raiaed figurea and inscription. The obverse approximates that of 
the original, with the added statement that it waa made from the medal 
owned by the Buffalo Hiatorical Society by "S. of R. 1002"— Sona of the 
Revolution. The reverae is blank. 

IROQUOIS ADOPTION 

An alluaion on page 83 to the Indian ceremony of adoption reealla 
a cuatom which haa exiated among the Iroquoia from the earlieat daya, 
and which atill exiata. There aro nuiny referenoea in 17th and 18th 
Century recorda to the adoption of captivea; but thia waa a genuine 
adoption, and aignified permanent induaion in the tribe and family. 
But even in remote daya the complimentary adoption waa practiced. 
Notable inatanoea of thia, in Weatem New York history, aro the caaea 
of the aona of Louia Thomaa de Joncairo, an adopted captive; but hia 
aona, never captivea, were alao adopted; ao, under the French regime, 
were Chauvignerie, Longueuil, and others. Sir William Johnaon waa an 
adopted aon of the Mohawka, and waa raiaed to a chief tainahip. 



330 EDITORIAL NOTES 

In the early days of Buffalo, more than one of her dtisens Teodved 
this complimentary expression of confidence and esteem. Among the 
Senecas, it has ever been a proof of friendship and trust extended only 
to those whites whose good-will and help th^y felt could be counted on. 
Such friends of the Indian as Orlando Allen and Orsamus EL Marshall, 
prominent in the earlier history of Buffalo, were no doubt adopted 
Senecas, though no record of their adoption has been noted. William 
Clement Bryant, a former prominent attorney of Buffalo, and president 
of the Buffalo Historical Society, was so interested in the Indians and 
devoted to their welfare, that he was twice adopted, once by the Senecas, 
and again by the Mohawks. 

Among Buffalonians past and present who have been thus com- 
plimented, note can be made of the following: 

Bbtant, William Clbmsnt — ^Adopted by the Senecas, who gave him 
the name Dargis-ta-ga-na, ''The Burning Fire." The Mohawks 
also adopted him and named him Ky-o-wil-la — ^its meaning is 
lost. 

Buck, Rev. William D. — October 16, 1862. Name bestowed, Ski- 
y-uck-di, "Beyond the Skies." At this time Mr. Buck was 
pastor of a Seneca mission church on the Cattaraugus Reser- 
vation. 

Buck, Emma A., daughter of Rev. Wm. D. Buck, now Mrs. Emma A. 
Rice of Buffalo. She was adopted, same date as her father, by 
a Seneca family which had lost a daughter, and was named 
Go-wah-dox-a, "She has departed." 

DoBBiNB, Chableb W. — ^Datc and name not ascertained. 

Kbnball, Mbb. Ada Davbnpobt. — ^At VersaiUes, 1913. Wolf dan. 
Name: GosH9oh-noh*yah, "Resting in the Infinite." 

Mabshall, Chablbs D. — ^Data lacking. 

PoBTBB, (Gen.) Pbtbb Bxtbl. — ^Was for many years a chief of the 
Senecas by adoption. 

Root, (Gen.) Adbian R. — Data lacking. 

Sbvebance, Fbank H. — Cattaraugus reservation, June 16, 1890. Snipe 
dan. Name: Dah-di-oh-gwat-hah, "The spreader of news," in 
allusion to his newspaper work. 

Staples, Gbobge K. — June 22, 1918, at Thomas Orphan Asylum. 
Turtle dan. Name: Ho-don-jai-ey, "He lifts the earth." 

TucKEB, Gbobob L. — June 22, 1918, at Thomas Orphan Asylum. 
Bear dan. Name: Huhnsque-sohn, "Hatchet-carrier." 

WnaoN, Chablbs R. — 1885; Beaver clan. Name: "Gah-we-sah." 

WiusoN, Robbbt p. — ^Data lacking. 



EDITORIAL NOTES d31 

Walkbh, (Rt. Rby.) WnjJAif D. — (Bishop of Westeni New York.) 
About 1900. Beaver dan. Name: Hor«iii-iHsas/'A hunter for 
names," alhiding to his services among the Senecas, the en- 
rolknent of names for oonfinnation, etc. 
Walkbb, (Mbb.) Wxluam D. — 1906, at Brant, on the Cattaraugus 
Beservation. Deer dan. Name: Weh-ooh-gwas, "One who 
gathers flowers from the waters." 

There are perhaps other residents of Buffalo, who have received 
Indian adoption; but th^ are not numerous, for the Senecas have 
never cheapened the honor by bestowing it indiscriminatdy, and many 
years sometimes elapse without the peif ormance of the adoption rites. 

Three persons are always adopted at a time. Sometimes, in com- 
pliment, an Indian name is bestowed; but this is not adoption. The 
ceremony is explained to the writer by a Seneca friend as follows: 

"An Indian friend allows his name to be given to the white. This 
admits to his dan. This part is executed by the mothers of the dan. 
The assemblage is informed of the agreement, whereupon two aged 
Indians take the candidate by the hand and walk with him, followed 
by his dan. The other dans rise and bow in reverence to the Creator, 
with the left hand uplifted, the right hand over the heart. The mothers 
dap hands in cadence with the chant simg by the old men as they lead 
the candidate around the coundl-fire, the assemblage responding, Ua$j 
Aod." This brings out the whoUy serious and reverential character of 
the andent ceremony. As now peiformed, the details vary according 
to circumstances, but always certain essentials are observed. There is 
alwajTB an address given, on the Cattaraugus reservation, ia Seneca, 
stating the reasons for adoption in the particular case, the clans and 
persons adopting, and the name to be given; second, the wdcome in 
which the candidate is escorted up and down the council-house, or 
before the assemblage, by two chiefs, the chiefs chanting and the people 
responding. A general greeting and exchange of gifts follow. 

In June, 1018, when Messrs. Staples and Tucker, members of the 
Buffalo Historical Society interested in Indian welfare, were adopted, 
the day being rainy, the ceremony was staged in the assembly room at 
the Thomas Indian School; literally "staged," for under the fertile 
guidance of Mr. Arthur C. Parker, with the assistance of Mr. Clifford 
Shongo, his sister Mrs. Ray Hurd, and others, something of a mdo- 
drama was evolved, the Indians appearing in costume and the candi- 
dates narrowly escaping being scalped or burnt at the stake, perils 
which made their ultimate reception all the more cordial. 

Of one phase of the ceremony at her adoption in 1906 Mrs. William 
D. Walker writes to the editor of this volume: "After having my 
virtues, accomplishments and qualifications duly extolled by a venerable 
Seneca, in the presence of many Indians and palefaces, an Indian youth 



8a2 EDITORIAL NOTES 

and maiden dnssed in complete and traditioQal Seneca gaib, most 
gracefully and ceremoniouBly bestowed upon me two baskets ol their 
own workmanship, very tastefully filled with flowers. The aforesaid 
orator then welcomed me into the Deer dan, giving me the name of 
Weh-ooh-gwaSy meaning, 'One who gathers flowers from the watecs.' 
Husband and wife n^y not belong to the same dan, tradition and 
morals forbid. Hence ^e Bishop belonged to the Beaver dan and I to 
the dan of the Deer." 

In June, 1890, Mr. F. B. Converse, husband of Harriet Maxwell 
Ck>nver8e, who was then a Seneca chief by adoption, Mr. James Edward 
Kdly, a sculptor at the time engaged on a monument to Red Jacket, 
and the writer, were made adoptive Senecas, at a ceremony hdd in the 
open air, under the trees of William Jones's orchard. Here benches were 
set in a great quadrangle, in the midst of which smoked a council-fire. 
At the upper end were musicians and beyond them another fire, over 
which a great kettle of succotash — ^beans and Tuscarora white com — 
.was boiling. The Indians took seats by dans, the Snipe, the Heron, 
Bear, Deer, etc., by themsdves. A great throng of the younger people 
surrounded the central group, and the roadside was filled with wagons 
and carriages. There were several hundred visitors, Indians and whites 
together. 

Among the older Senecas who shared in the exercises were Moees 
Stevenson of Red Jacket's family; Lester Bishop, a leader among the 
Christians; David Stevens and Truman Halftown, and aged Mrs. 
Hemlock, from Newtown, the so-called Pagan settlement; these old 
people hdd to the andent religion of their fathers, and spoke only 
Seneca. 

It was a privilege to meet, and is now a pleasure to recall, these 
"old heads," survivors of the olden time. One feeble, wrinkled woman 
had known Red Jacket. So had David Stevens, with whom the writer 
spoke, Nicholson Parker acting as interpreter. Stevens was very old in 
1890, the oldest living member of the Wolf clan, which is the head dan 
of the Senecas. In 1848, when these people adopted the republican 
form of government, Stevens "lost his horns," that is, his chieftainship, 
was deprived of authority, but he retained to the last the dignity of his 
hereditary office. For many years he had been the "pagan" preacher 
of the tribe, a leader of the non-Christian faction and a sturdy upholder 
even as Red Jacket was, of the tribal traditions and customs; in short a 
fine, ujuright old conservative. He survived imtil December, 1899. 

Andrew John, Jr., then President of the Seneca Nation, had come 
from CanoUton on the Allegany reservation. He was one of the most 
successful of Seneca politicians. Of more interest to the writer was 
Nicholson H. Parker, brother of General Ely S. Parkor, and his sister 



EDITORIAL NOTES 333 

Mn. Moun^easaat; the fonner aeted as inteipreter; and it was the 
latter who, at the eloae of the ceremonies^ fixst greeted the writer in 
kinship, and pinned to the lapel of his coat the ancient silver brooch 
which he has cherished nigh 30 years. 

There was music, and an introduction of the candidates by William 
Jones, principal host for the occasion. David Stevens made tiie speech 
of adoption and bestowed the names of each in turn. Mr. Converse 
became Ha-nai-ne, "The Song-maker;*' Mr. KeUy, Gah-noe-qua, '^The 
stone giant," and the writer Dah-di-oh-gwat-hah, "Spreader of News." 
There was the usual marching up and down; and speeches, songs and 
the exchange of gifts ended only when the succotash was ready and the 
feast began. 

A yet more notable adoption on the Cattaraugus reservation was 
that of June 15, 1885, when a grand council was held, and Mrs. Harriet 
Maxwell Converse, Hon. Frederick H. Furmss of Waterloo, N. Y., and 
George S. Conover of Geneva, N. Y., were received in adoption. Mrs* 
Converse was an author whose father and grandfather had been adopted 
by the Indians; and all were prominent as students of Western New 
York history and friends of the Indian. Mr. Conover has left a graphic 
account of this occasion in his pamphlet entitled: "Geo. S. Conover, 
Genealogical-Biographical," printed at Geneva in 1885. 

On the general subject of Indian adoption the reader is referred to 
the "Handbook of American Indians," Bureau of American Ethnol- 
ogy, Bulletin 30, Part I; also, Seaver's "Life of Mary Jamison," 20th 
ed., N. Y., 1918, pp. 331-330; and Stone's "Life and Times of Sir 
William Johnson," vol. I, appendix 1. 

MR. ARTHUR C. PARKER'S WRITINGS 

Mr. Arthur C. Parker is the author of the following volumes issued 
by the New York State Museum: 

Excavations in an Indian village and burial site at Ripl^, Chau- 
tauqua Co., N. Y.—BvlMn 117, 1007. 

Iroquois uses of maise and other food plants. — BvMin 144, 1910. 

The code of Handsome Lake, the Seneca prophet. — BvSkitin 163, 
1912. 

The constitution of the Five Nations.— BuOetin 184, 1916. 

The archaeological history of New York, 1919. 

Mr. Parker edited and annotated Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse's 
"Myths and Legends of the New York State Iroquois," in New York 
suae Mweum BulieUn 125, 1908. 

Notes on the bannerstone, with some inquiries as to its purpose, 
Rep. Director of the State Museum, 1918. 



334 EDITORIAL NOTES 

GhampLain's aasault on the fortified town of the OneiclaSy 1616. 
Bep. Director of the State Museum, 1919. 

The following list, though incomplete, contains the principal con- 
tributions of Mr. Parker to periodicals and publications of societies: 

Seneca medicine societies. — Am. ArUhnp. Apr.-June, 1909. 

The Seneca game of snow-snake. — Am. AnUirop. Apr.-June, 1909, 

Iroquois silveramithing. — Am. ArUkrop. July-Sept., 1909. 

The Iroquois wampums. — Proe. N. Y. State Hist. Asm. Vol. VIII. 
1909. 

Iroquois influence on the archaeology of the Wyoming Valley, Pa. — 
Proe, Wyoming Hiat. and Geolog. Soc., 1910. 

Additional notes on Iroquois silversmithing. — Am, Anthrop. Apr.- 
June, 1911. 

The league of peace. — Southern Workman, Oct., 1911. 

The progress of the American Indian. — Southern Workman, Nov., 
1912. 

Certain Iroquois tree myths and qrmbols. — Am. ArUkrop., Oct.- 
Dec, 1912. 

Iroquois sun myths and ceremonies. — Am, Foik Lore Jowr., 1912. 

Squalde hill and the Senecas. — Proe, lAoingaion Co. Hist. Soe., 1912- 
13. 

The Seneca Indians in the War of 1812.— iV. Y. State Hist. Ass'n 
Rept., 1914. 

The social elements of the Indian Problem. — Am. Jour, Sodaiogyf 
Sept., 1916. 

The origin of the Iroquois as suggested by their archaeology. — Am. 
Anthrop,, Oct.-Dec., 1916. 

The tragedy of the red race.— Quor. Joitr. S, A. /., Vol. I, No. 4. 

The legal status of the American Indian. — Ibid., Vol. II, No. 3. 

The awakened American Indian. — Ibid., Vol. U, No. 4. 

The elements of the Indian problem. — Ibid., Vol. Ill, No. 1. 

The penistenoe of barbarism in civilised society. — Ibid., Vol. Ill, 
No. 2. 

Industrial and vocational training in Indian schools. — Ibid., Vol. Ill, 
No. 2. 

Indian progress as shown by the Thirteenth Census. — Ibid., Vol. 
Ill, No. 2. 

Making Democracy safe for the Indians. — Ibid., Vol. VI, No. 1. 

The Indian, the country and the government. — Am. Ind. Mag., 
Jan.-Mar., 1916. 

Problems of race assimilation in America. — Am, Ind. Mag., Oct.- 
Dec., 1916. 

How flint arrowheads are made. — Am. Ind. Mag,, July-Sept., 1917. 

The American Indians' part in the world war. — Ibid. 

Americans in the Stone Age.^iStato Service, Oct., 1917. 



EDITORIAL NOTES 335 

A pre-hiBtorio Lroqaoiaii site on the Baed faim, Richmond BlflLi, 
Ontario Co., N. Y.— JKcMoreto and Tram,, N. Y. 8. Arch. Aam., Mor- 
fui Chapter, Bochetter, N. Y., 1018. 

Habitat groiqw in wax and plaster, an addien before the Am. Aasn. 
MoBemns.— If UMUifi Work, Vol I, No. 3, 1918. 

Hie New York Indiana in the worid war.^iStale Smriee, Apr., 1919. 

A contact period Seneca rita, at Factory Hollow, Ontario Co., 
N. Y. — BsBearthtB and TroM. N. Y. 8. Arch. Ann., Morgan Chapter, 
Bocheeter, N. Y., 1019. 

The life of Qcai. Ely S. Parker, last grand sachem of the IroqaoiB. — 
Pvb$. Bvf, Hitl. Soe^y, Vol. XXUI, 1919. 

MEMORANDA 

For an acoomit of the re-burial of General Ely S. Parker, by the 
Buffalo Historical Society, together with several of his letters and an 
autobiographical memoir, the reader is referred to the Publications of 
the Buffalo Historical Society, Vol. VUI, pp. 511-636. 

For General Parker's address at the Bed Jacket commemorative 
eaercises, Music Hall, Buffalo, Oct. 9, 1884, see Buffalo Historical 
Society TransactioDS^ Vol. HI, pp. 41-44. This volume of Transactions 
is entitled "Bed Jacket," and is listed as Vol. Ill of the Publications 
«. 

Ebrata. p. 96, for "Miner's Lodge" read "Miners Lodge." 
P. 106, line 14, for "Then came to me" read "There came to me." 
P. 126, line 19, for "Custer in" read "Custer on." 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Akm. ei; todca al iiMmmt, M, 105. 

Albuy. 100. 

AllNuqr Jtomtl Sdiool, »3. 

Albuy But* NcvmaJ Babool, 80, 9Z, 

i»a. 

Alkamiv, (M AO^fmu). 

ilk^my. 18. 93,S>3. 

Allui. Orludo. sis, S3S; xlaDtiaii of, 

S». 
AmeliB Court Bouh. 13S. 
Amerioui Boud, Minhn of, M, 
Aii«*l ud RiM. kttcnwT*, TS. 
ApfxiniMttoi. 117:iiTB. llB.iaO.lZS, 

IM, 133. 
Annr of Sortbtm Tir^nla, IM; 

brokm, 13B, IW. lU. 
ArtlUtTy. Fooith N. Y., 113; Foortli 



lABOOCK. Col. O. E.. 13S, 139. 
laobtldCR. Mn. LodIh, latta from, 



iI.AiUun,lia, 
Hanrr, loo. 



Batatw. Ursn thu Buffalo i 
'0: L«l««. M. lOB. 

Uh of aSTVar,' It 



Big Fin. muidand. ^. 

BicTiw, tnatyof. is. 

Black Hawk, 8. 

Blaok Rook. S3. S4, 1906. 

BIaokaDiltik(Joiui).Tcinawanda«hi<fi 



DaoM, 36. H. 



Bfown, Arthur, 291. 

" -rOUam CIbul . .... , 

> E. 8. Parinr. 90*. 307; 



CudI 

Captina, 30. . 
CutaayiUm. 31S. 
Canrdl. Hairirt, 00, 30 

CattaiaucB* oaak, 193. 



tomahawk nuutd 



d40 



INDEX 



CMl War, 7. M. 106; bi&ttl«t of. 185. 
dark. Sttiator Ondlle, 10. 
CHntoii, QoT. Georie, 14. 
OoChincworn by Iroquois, 88. 
aotttoTChM., »8. 
Coe.Cipi.E. L.,228. 
Cold, Omt. 82. 
CoUes, G«i. C. T., 324. 
Colonua Wan. 8odety of, 236. 
Comanohe Jade, 146. 
Commitrionw of lodiao Affaira, 160, 

164, 160, 168. 
Comatoek, 111. 

Confederataa, 130. 1S«, 127, 128. 
Conorer, Goona 8., 8Si7, 8M. 
CoBTaiaa, F. B., 833. 
Convcna, Harriet MaacwaD, (Naw 

York ntaraiy womaa), latter to; 

raeorda. dream of Parker'a Mother, 

48; PaAor lalatea ineident to, 184; 

lattefv to from Parker, 164-180; a 

friend of Parker'a, 162; papeia of, 

228. 822: Biography of, mT 
Copway, George. 206. 
Complanter, Chief, (Qyaatwaka), 

apeeeh to Waahisaton, 27, 80; 

tomahawk, 80; petitiooa Quakaia, 

207. 818, 826. 
Coraplaiiter, Edward, rehitea legend, 

Complanter. Henry, 207. 
Con^tlanter'a Town, (Dsro^no-aaHla- 

ga, — ^Bumt Houaea), 18. 
Complanter, Young, 82. 
Corpa,army: iizthri23; fifth, 128, 125. 
Coatume, of Iroquoia, 38, not changed, 

56. 
Council of Confederacy, Grand, 261. 
CounoilB of the new Confederacy of 

the Iroquoia. founded by Morgan 

and Parker, 80; (see Grand Order of 

the Iroquda). 
Creation myth, 18. 
Coltiyatoia. Nation of, (The Neutrala 

or Attiwandaronka), war with, 46. 
Cumminn, Uriah, 63, 66. 
Curtlea, Gen. Jamea E., 226. 
Coaick, David, (a Tuacarom annalist). 

46. 
Cuatoma, birth, 55; burial, 50. 

DANCES. 82; Indian, 278-286. 
Darling, Thomaa. adopted, 82, 88. 
Dartmouth College, 70. 
De>ka-n*-wi-da, (Iroquda culture 

hero), 10; wampum codes, 11; lawa 

of, 71. 
Dekaneaora, 8, 265. 
Delawares, 71. 182. , 

Diaappeanng Smoke, (Gai-yen-gwa- 

toh. aee Old Smoke); celebrated 

chief, 31; raid on Wyoming. 31. 
Distingiiished men, met by Parker, 77. 
Dobbina,C. W.. 880. 
Doctor, Isaac, 180, 336. 331. 
Doctor, Laura, (daumter of Leri 

Parker).Tiii; 180, ^47326,231.232. 
Dolph, John, 61. 
Do-ne-ho-ga-wa, 3, 10, 01, 03, 07, 106; 

name atgned to letters, 170-170, 

222,225. 



Douglaa, Alexander, a merefaaat, 810. 
Drake, 76. 
Dutch. 207. 

EDITORIAL NOTES. 811. 

Elisabeth, grand-dautfiter of Sos^ie- 
o-wa, (see Efisabeth Parker), de- 
scendant of Neutral CaptiTe, 81; 
grand-daujditerof Sos-he-o-wa, 41; 
married William Parker, 41; an- 
oeatry of. 42, 100. 

Elmira,162. 

Elskawata, the 8hawnee_prophet, 25 



Ely, Christian name of eTs. Parker, 

how given, 320. 
En^iah colonists, 208. 
Eries, (part of Huron-Iroquois stock), 

12; destraotion of. 17. 
Essays^ Parker boya, 76, 86. 
Explorers, 54. 
Extermination, with Iroquoia meant 

tribal disruption, 13, 14. 

FACE POWDER, 58. 

Farmer's Brother, Col., ehsracter 

of, 81, 321, ineklent of in War of 

1812. 34; mentioned. 260. 
Farwell. undertaker, 206. 
Fearey, Capt. T. H., 226. 
Feast, SeneiBa, 84. 
Feather, as a head decoration, 58. 
Fire water. 810. 
Fiah Carrier, 320. 
Flaher, Rev. J. Emoty, 227. 
Five Forks, 122, 124. 
Forest Lawn Cemetery, 218, 285, 

227. 
Fort George, battle of. 82, 84, 315. 
Fort Niagara, 24; battle of, 34, 815. 
Fort Stanwix tieaty, 27, 811. 
JVauduIent treaty, 301: defeated. 810. 
Fk-eemasonry. (see Masonry) ;Parker^a 

career in, 06. 

GANEODAIC, (see Handsome Laka) 

Ga-nio-dai-u, (a Seneca sachem ana 

prophet, see Handsome Lake), 18. 

Garo-no-geh, 16. 
G»-ont-gwut-twua, (name of Mrs. 

William Paricer), 20; of a noble 

family. 20. 
Garangula,8. 
Ga^wsreo-warneh, 18. 
Genesee country, sale of, 18, 87; a 

garden spot, M. 
Genesee Valley, 40. 
Genera Historical Society. 218. 
Gettyaburg, speech of Parker at, 181; 

battle of. 185. 
Gocdian Knot, and Order, 80. 
Gorget. 57. 

Government achoola, 75. 
Grand Army of the Republic, (ase 

also Reno Post), 177, m. 
Grand Island, 15; British oeenpy, 28; 

Senecas had intereat in defenas of, 

80; legend of, 238. 
Grand Lodge of lUinois. 06. 
Grand Order of the Iroquois, 81. 



Onwcn Jamta Vl.. ^. 

OnnaB, J^* BnMiu, plMda with 

Qiut, Fi^ b.. 148; PaAa"! Mnd- 



Onm Bur, tCMt, 397. 
(htmat, &. JolaqpliC., 
OnwiTiU* tiMty. 337. 
Gnn ud aib-~ ~— 
Oiiiwald,0«D 
Qrannd, Buiji 



the Amariisn CadaiiUi 



Huwatha, M. 



rX 841 

fiUU. Abnm, (u Indiu), 334. 
HotohkiH. WbMhvTloa. 
Hoo^ton, Fndariak. (tM^ar utd 

•TsbHtoaiM), diHorand N*utnl 

riM, 10. 
Hort. Mirtha Ellad, nuiM Ntohol- 

MD H. PiAw. Tii, M, 101. 
Hort, Srtta.fbrotha ol Martha), 300. 
Bodm. P. T.. (Aid»-d»<:uDpf. 13S. 
Hunttac, 64,318. 

Hnrd. Mn.B«r(HMdSbocr>). S31. 
HuraD-Iraqua^ U lincntalic (took), 

HoroB*. 13, 13. 
Buvlar. Mn. M« 

B«d Juket fun 



INDIAN AITAIRS, 110; 



__t TiSt oooSIm ot, IBS, 310. 

bdlan CommlHiaaBL Baud ot, u- 
poinMd, IM; Ftdw'i letter to, 151 i 
mantioiied. 307. 
Indiui Daocca, influenee of, 370. 
Iikdiui D^mitmaat, Tha iw^tmw, 
, 164. 307. 



Indian Fall*, 51, 31S. 



and aold, 60; women, 66: tdaoatad, 
76; arateful, 86; (irindlMl, ISt: 
lOOtatiM. 103; reoaivad wbiUa, 183; 
behavior of, 316; ofaanolei, 307; 
eodditioD asomaloua, 810. 

latarior Dapartmant, 300. 

Imguoii Anieultunil Boeieti', IM. 

Iraquata,a]LMOf Britkh, ll:onatloD 
mrth, 13; anail Nautnl*, 13; inake 
oaapou, 31 ; in War of 1813,30, 37; 
ootiunM, 88; army of.SB; (a 1a 
Canada, 73; Grand Order oT, I 
maxim of , ieO-161 : aanith of pow 
300; Leacuo of, 314. mxial sad 



Jemiion. Mary, (the white ftvitiva). 



JACKSON. Helen H 
Jamee, Armr of the, 
Jemiion, Alfred, 230. 
■ ■ in, Mary, (the 
: home of, 302. 



Jt-<oo ei eehi (ae* Ji-koa-aa leh). 
Faiiier dMoendant of, 10, 44, 45: 
eaptw«d, 40, 50; mentiotied, 304. 

Jlmmr, Tommy. (Saneoaahief). 311. 

Jo Daviem Chapter, 90. 

Joim. Andrew, 234. 

Johnaon, F. L.. 234. 

Johnson. Jemmy (gt Jimmy, or Jamea. 
Bee aloo Soe-he-o-wa), preparaa to 
aucce«dHaad*[Uaat.ake,41;adopt' 
ed L. H. Monan, 81; addnee of. 
S3; fount D( kcowledce, 87 ; pnauh- 
m. 2S9, 201. 

JiduiBoa, Sir William, 23; adopted 



342 



INDEX 



Jonaura, ThomM de, Mloptioii. 830. 
Jo-no-««-«to-wft, (Dncon Fly) , Seneoa 
nanM (rf WiUiAiin Parker. 6. 

KAH-OWA-ONOH, (Kah-kwM. the 
Neutna Nation), the Neutrals, 42, 
Kah-kwah. 12; 300. 

Kanaiwlfesga, (Ga-nun-da-ea-^a), the 
■ite <rf Geneva, 22. 

Kansas, lands of Senecas, 144. 

Kelly, James E., (New York seulptor) 
inter v iew e d Parker, 9-0; notes on 
Lee*s surrender, 131, 136, 187; 
adopted, 332. 

Kendall, Mrs. A. D., 330. 

Kenjoekety, the name of, 318; famOy 
of. 314; philology of. 314. 

Keniockety oreek. 14. 313. 314, 

Kenjoeke^, John, (see Ski^^-dyuh- 
cwa-dih), story of, 14; death, 14; 
Est editor. 314. 

Kenjoekety. Philip, 313; incident of, 
315. 

Kennedy, Captain John, 32. 

Kieuneka, (Ga-o-no-geh) . Neutral cap- 
ital. 16. 

Kilts, worn by the Senecas, 66. 

Kinc Hendriok. 8. 

Kins, term wrongly used, 217. 

KirUand, Rev. Samuel, 14; defended 
by Old Smoke. 22; visite Spirit 
Lake, 60; at trial of Red Jacket. 326. 

Knights Templar. 06. 

LA FORT, Abraham, an Onondaga, 
280. 

La Fort, Daniel, 224. 

Lake Erie, Battle of. 318. 

Lay, Chester, (Seneca sachem), 224. 

Lsjogdon, Andrew, (President of the 
Buffalo Hiitoriosi Society), 226, 
226. 

Law. difficult to enforce. 168. 

League <rf the Iroquois, (or the Five 
Ii^tions, of IroQuois Confederacy 
or The Long House, or the Six 
Nations, etc.); lustorians of, 11, 20; 
sachems of, 52; re-estabUshed, 71; 
fame of, 00. 

Leamie of the Iroquois, t^hookhyL.H. 
Morgan. 81; produced, 88; men- 
tioned by Parker. 214. 

Lee. Gen. Robert E., 110.118; plan to 
trap, 120, 122; hopes of. 126: trap- 
ped. 125; distress of, 126; illomcal 
stand of. 126; displayed white flag. 
126: message to Grant, 127; at 
McLean house. 120; surrender of, 
120; Grant's letter to. 132; reply 
of Grant. 133. 

Legal status of Indians. 151; 153. 

Legend of Grand Island, 238. 

Leggings, style <rf, 56. 

Letehworth Park, 100. 

Letchworth, William Pryor, dedicated 
Council House. 37. 



Letters of Ely 8. Parker, to brother's 
children. 147; to Indian Commis- 
sioners. 151; to Mrs. H. M. Con- 
vene, 164-170; to Wm. C. Bryant. 
204, 214; to his father. 285; to his 
people, 287; to hie sister, 202. 



litUe Beaid, John. 258. 

Little Beard's Town, 316. 

Little Billy, addrass of. 20. 82. 

little Smoke, ancestor of Parkeis, 21 ; 
fled to Fort Niagara. 28; character 
of. 23. 

LitUe Turtle, a Miami chief. 25. 

Lincoln. Abraham, 106. 110. 120. 186; 
assassination of. 142. 

Lloyd, Herbert M., edition of Mor- 
gan's Leaguo^ 82; foot note, 82. 

Lodcwood, J. T., (a veteran on 
Parker), 113. 

Logan, 81 ; monument to, 220, 266. 

Logan. Saul. 83. 

Longueuil. 320. 

Looko u t Mou ntain. 100. 110. 208. 

Long House, (symfaidic name of Iro- 
quois League), guard of, 3; extend- 
ed to Lake Erie. 17. 71, 207. 

Loyal Legion. 176. 224, 226. 226. 

Lundy's Lane; incident in battle, 84, 
86. 



MARCUS, H. H., 226. 
Marcus. Maj. L., 226. 
Married women, (Indian). 57. 
MaishaU. Charles D.. 380. 
ManhaU. Col., 120. 130. 132. 
ManhaU. Orsamus H.. 814, 320, 890. 
Martindale, a lawyer, 287; wisdom of. 



Masonic banquet, 07. 

Maaonie Chronidt, quoted. 06. 

Masonic Order. Morgan excitement, 
80. 

Masons. 80. 

Massachusetts, claim on N. Y.,206. 

Maxwell, Hon. Thomas, 162, 323. 

MoLean house, scene of Lee's sur- 
render, 120: scene at, 137. 

Meade, Gen., Ill, 118. 123, attacks 
Confederates, 127, 128; letter from 
Parker, 135. 

Medal. Red Jacket's. 211. 326: his- 
tory of. 826-327; letter from E. 8. 
Parker, on. 328. 

Medina, 60. 

Mtnial Blemtor, a missionaiy publi- 
cation in SeiMca, 80. 

Miners Lodge, 06. 

Missionaiy viewpoint, 86, 86. 

Missionuy Ridge, battle of. 100. 

Mission House at Cattaraugus, 102. 

Mississaga, duppewas, 71. 

Moccasins, of Senecas, 38. 

Mohawks, (see Iroquois). 

Morcan. Lewis Heniy. (the anthro- 
pologist), vi; born at Aurora, 76; 
Parker's acquaintance with. 80; 
began study of Iroquois. 80; adopt- 
ed. 81; wntea "The League of the 
Iroquoie,** 81; called the champion 
of the Iroquois. 81; adoption. 82; 
given wanipum belt. 82; read paper 
before N. Y. Historical Sodety. 86; 
letters on the Iroquois, 86; activi- 
ties for the SUte Museum. 86; 
Esthers collection, 87; produces 
ook, 88, 237; witnessed dance, 280. 



Uotlur ol NMIOM, 4S: Cm JHiob- 



NABHVtLLE, 110. 

NeuUn. (M> Nsatnd Nitian). 43- 

NwUnl-Eih* mn, 14. 

N«ubal Natioo, damalD of, 12: u- 
Miled by Iroqada. 13: taka <>'. 1>: 
Tillua of, IS; dwMuUnt* intw 
«Med In Orud Uud, SO; otor- 
miutsd, lei. 

Niw York Hutmlcal Boeietr, Mor^n 
rcAda PHMT beTcRVt 80. 

NImxib. »■ 40. 

Niacum Rinr. IS, 3S; titi* to bed,87. 

NraTOui- Jamei w., 101. 

O'BAIL. Maif Bmrr. Iwln in m 

of 1B13, SI. 
Old«n, D«Tl<13M. 
oSiS. LudCUm. 70, SI. SS. SS4. 
Odnn I«nd Comiaiir, 30B. loe, 3M: 



On«w*h-i>-w«h, ] 
tfi«nidT«.13ii 

OBOBduu. dar'- 
Britalii,». a 



I. H. Parlur, MS, 370. 



Ootario Couutr, 13. 

Ord. Obb, E. 0. C, Ua maioli, 127. 

Oaborn. Kate. 38. 

OKmiilM,a. 

PAOANIBM, SS. 

FaAv. orialn of name, 21. 

Paika, Albnt Hanry, (aoD of Niehol- 

aoa),ie2 
Paikar. Arthur CaawaU, vii, 

MtMtiaa o(, =- -'-' ' "- 

aoaiaLakc,» 

nitiui of. 8L.. 
Paikv boyi, raaiinc SS; achool « 

n«r 74: apiioctiiiidtiaa, 7a: boot 



Albaiiy. iS; beadwork, kt: >urroiiDd- 
inSicf. IBOi ^mth of. SSS. 337; lat- 
lar ham Ely, 392; nunad, 39S. 
Farfcar, EUaatatk, (Mia. WUUam 
Paikar), aoaaatry. 42; beauty of. 
47: tUoo of. 48; olaD of. 48; diaaa 
of. SS; daaoribad OH daja, 87; 
daaeribad, 333; draaa of, 235. 



Paikar, ^ Baonial. (DtMw-bo-ta- 
wa), bomood naiBe,4; expaiaiiH. 
4; ori^ ol Chiiatiaa uma, 
unique dumctar, 7; ■aobcm. 
rOH to lamb 8: Piodaaty 
10; lattOT toH. M. ConTima. 
dsaOBDdut of Jl-kon-aa-adi, 
anoaatry of, 11; modHT'i vtiian. 
48; birth of, SO; umad, 60; aarhr 
taaahiriBi of. S8; oradle board i4, 



ndUtary aaaratary, lli; 
lor Grant, tlS; («nmlwu~vu <.«- 
anal, llfl; pUrad UlHarda, 117; at 
haaiiqiiart«, IIB; talki with 
Llnecdn, 130: dupatohei of, tZl, 
122, 123, 12t;ln Appomattoi aaoi- 
palsn, IZS; at MoLaan booaa. 13B: 
dnJt* tatna of Laa'i mnaodar, 



■ionad Briaadiei denani U. S. V.. 
1 43 ; nurda Orant , 1 43 ; naitn* f rom 
War DapartBiant, 143; b<ittlaa ha 
fou^t in, 143: toon irilh Orant. 
144; aa<rta Tonawanda Indiana, 

d^kf, 146; attada Indian eouncdk, 
148; appoiDtad CommiaaiDnH' of 
Indian AOaita, ISO; policy of aa 
CommiHionar, lGO:lsttBtoBoud. 
IGl; aaw naada (^ lodUna, 1S3; 
annual ropnt of. ISS; hubsat loal 
of, IM: plou u*'i>*t' 11^ a«uaad, 
1S6; trial ol, IK; found without 



Pukar, Sbmnu Qmnt. '(mm ol 
NiDkoboa), ina. 

OH of tluM bntbn, Ifi; btmnm 
B Baptkt. ao,' ■ iMjd wurkw, M: 
knew hit pei^ile, 31; •oroOad, 81; 
ntuinad btaa Ww of ISlt, 40; 
owumI mw mill, 40; tt Qtm iWl* 
Cbo, Ml t huntar, 47; mdod M 

Mor^ngSTiMtuutaofaiaatTiaO; 
hu obildim, 180; ■ chM. EM; 
doath of, axt; ouMT, 188; Umilr ot 

Puker, WiUiui, (wn of SponoK). 

Parala, i«iwd to Coafedontoi, 1S»- 

Po«o«' poUcT, M7, ISO. 

Pwobioka. Cuvline tod KldmlooB 

Pvktr fttlend (ohool it. 74. 
Pembcrton. Oen, lobii C., ISA 
Pun. WiDiuD, 3B8. 
Pequola, Z7«. 
7«t«nbun. 118. 132, 



mMtiiia plooe, si ; birthpUoa 'of • 

•aieiioe, 89; TinUd by Rod Jukat. 

21«: sutfaor'a visit to, 231. 232. 

Puk«. Ihsc NtittoDi io anoy. UX), 



Puker, Maud, (daughter o 



NieholHo), 
Paikar, Nichobon Haorr, (brothar of 
Ely S.J, viii. 38; oamad Uiu-e-wah- 
■o-«l, S8 ; HttcDda gchool. 74 : book* 
written in luiiDe of. 89 ; lecturad, 00; 
at acbool, 92; returned to Tons- 
wanda. 92; manied Martha Hoyt, 
M; eoDfidant of brother Ely. 117: 
oharacter of. 191; hit farm and 

194; SeDBoa name < 

leotual Datura of. IC. . 

198, 270, 27S, 301; love 

197; aotiviCin of. 198; maaoar ol. 

190; honaa of, 200; death of. 201: 

aoB of WiUiaiD, 237; iixneb of. 

283; nam« of, 270; apcMh of, 270; 



i; leoturaa oj 



.15,130. 

Hid, 80: 

,v.;«d,330. 



Poudiy, Mn. 
Powhatan, 8. 
Propfaeoy fulGllgd, 320. 
Prophet, The, '-- " 



QUAKERS G^t a 1 
29S; defend Seneoaa. tvi; meat m 
Buffalo Creek. 2S9; work of, 304, 

Quaker BDhoql. 300. 

QuMtioDB reiative to 



Graoser, 27-28; viait* Parker homa, 
SI, 302; not popular. 302; Parker'l 
eatimate of. 302; reinterment 203; 



BACHEUB, pm nun. 03; ntoad. 71j 
ol tbt Iraiiuoto. 91; dnm powar. 
Mi cwmot mta balfls, 100; how 



I UMd, 317; 
iDvmi 334: eleatad. 2 

lutt, MiDnl*, an(*aw 



iPwkar' 

iflklo Cnek, 310. 
il«d, 38;bui]k>kia, 38, 
M lo^u i^l, A3. 
■ KiDJwksty), S13. 



1, leH. 



Banen Cuatla. 18. 

Btateta. lelt lowDt of oonquand tribv. 
14; nnlan dafntad Nautnli, IS; 
bad Tillaae at mouth gf the Ton*- 
wuiil*, 16; traditiona of Orand 
lalasd, IT; louoht tor tsnitaiy. 17; 
rMDOVo, IS; abudoa old horns, 34 ; 
oppoae Teounaeh, 20; doclm try 



3a;agrieulturi 



xived, 



of. S2; critical gUge, 53; 



\rfj daon 

indivilWiir, _. ._. .. 
In Civil war. 300; daln. 
r70l>iDiedby,3I8;c 



,194; 
203; 

SIST burial pta«^ 'siO; Toyalty to 

UniMd etolM, 21fi; ntMat. 34fl; 

lundinat.2S7;ofCat- 

dafiaoded, 301. 
Srttlara, f haracter of, S3. 
Seraraaoc. Fraok H.. 32S; ii 

326; nota by. 313;adopta 
Snard. WiUiam H.. 102; ii 

Indiana, 300. 



Shftnlca, Tmman, 196. 

Bhawnaaa, 3S. 

Sbalton houM. 114. 

ahttidw, PhlBp E., 110; odw* of, 
131, 13S; attailsd br Lea. 137; 
IMnd tnacbary, 137; ntttna 
' -'- 'itlar. 138; doubta Laa. 130. 



Bhongo. Q«ie. 300. 
fibonao, MotM. 33T. 
ShoDco, W, Oiffonl, ualaU is mitv- 

UoD. 331. 
Silrer, bawl band, SO; braoohM. M; 

naaol. SO. 
eUrerhMb. 33. 

Slmeoa-Ran, Col., a Mohawk, 37. 
SU Nationa, (aaa Itoquoia), Morsao'a 



I, JB^on 
D KBr^Dok 

IT Clinton. I 



SoaMg ol Chnnn Holdcn. 80. 
Somety of Colonial Wan, 33S, 
8oa»ir of Fileoda, (*m Qualun], 

Social iT»d«a ol tha Iroquoia. 31 S. 

Born oTthe RcTolution. 329. 
Soa-ba-o-ir*. (■« Jsmmy Johnaon), 



army). llB;routsd. 134. 



h, Q«n. J. CM. 



lie. 



f, 136. 



t Lika, (DiTcm Lakej.fiO; letaod 

HI; 136. 
_ 16 

B«kie Hill, 33. 
Htanley. JaniM M.. an ailiat. 33S. 
St^ea, GeoTEa Kelly, ndopled. 330; 



Squaw laUnci 



belt in 



arduUin.31;\ 



ate Library, a 

eteveti>Dii| Ruth. 206. ' 

Stone, Rev, Ely; Ely Parka d 

for, 330. 
Street. Alfmd, 81. 
Stion«. Nathaniel. 303. 
Suftar buabcfl. 333- 



346 



INDEX 



i 



Samvan's campaLm. 212, 219. 
SulliTan, Major Gen. John, raid of. 

23. 24, 207, 316. 
Surrender of Lee, 129; loene of. 129; 

ineidenta of. 130, 132. 
Suaquahanna VaUoy, 14. 
Sweat bath, 55. 

TAFT, PreBident, William H., into^ 

view with author, 158. 
Tammany, a Delaware ehiaf, 182; 

lineato, 188. 
Teoumseh, (a Shawnee ohief) , anoea* 

Sf not known, 8; plan for Leacue, 
, 26. 76. 
Terma or Surrender, 130, 181 ; Orant'a 

letter on, 132. 
Thacher, 76. 

Th<Hnae Indian School, 192. 881. 
Thomas, Philip, 193; hdped Indiana, 

d02 3(M 
Timber in *W. New Yorlc, 17. 
Tippecanoe. 106. 
Tompkina, Governor, 267. 
Tonawanda Creek, 15; aettlementa 

alone, 16; vaUay of, 17; falla, 20. 

86. 61. 
Tonawanda Falla, 41. 
Tonawanda Tndiane, 47; aituation, 

92, 93; in fear of ajeetment, 98; 

landa aaved, 144; buy landa, 145; 

letter to, 286 ; no partin treaty. 808. 
Tonawanda Reservation, aet aaide in 

1797, 18; lose a portion of, 20, 73, 

92, 99, 145. 189, 222, 323. 
Tonawanda Valley, 17. 
Town Destroyer, (Indian name for 

Waahington). 27. 
Townaend. E. D.. 116. 
Traita of Indian Character, a speech 

by N. H. Parker, 270. 
Treaty of 1838, 92; fraudulent. 301. 
Tkee buriala. 59. 
Tkee eaters. 43. 
Tribes, brorai, 71. 
Trippe. M. F., 170. 
Tudrar, George L., adopted, 330. 
Tusoarora B eaM v a tion.,321, 
Tuaoaroraa, 71. 
Tuteloa, 71. 
Two Guna, Daniel, 205. 
Two Guna, Noah, 197. 

UNION ARMY, 120, 122. 128, 185; 
closes on Lee, 127. 

VALLEY LODGE, 96. 

Van Buren, Preaident Martin, 92. 

Van Deventer, Peter, 61. 



l^cksburg, 107. 106; Grant at, 185. 
Vredaad bUl, 824. 

WALBRIIXIE, CoL C. E^226. 

Walker, Bishop and Mrs. William D.. 
331. 

Wampum, in State Museum, 8; 
meaning of. 3; Waahington treaty. 
28; given L. H. Morgan, 82; on 
Parker's coffin, 225. 2317824. 

Wampum Keeper, 224. 

War of 1812, Seneoaa in, 26. 32; 
Onaidaa in, 82; women in. 83; cap- 
tivea of Iroquoia help in. 84; in- 
eidenta of 34; Iroquois were aOiea 
in. 36; estrangement of Iroquoia. 87; 
left Senecaa loyal to U. S., 89, 209; 
216. 

Waahington, (city). 77, 79. 102, 145. 

Waahington, George. Iroquoia .grate- 
ful to. 27; treaty belt. 28; 2077209. 
219; medals of, to Indiana. 326. 

Welah, William, accused Parker. 156; 
libeled Indian race, 155; aceoaation 
of againat Parker, 305, 306. 

Wenroea, 12. 

Weat Point, 118, 183; Grant visits, 
144. 

White Oak road, 122. 

Wilderness, Campaign in. 111, 113. 

Wild Roae, (A-weh-hah), story of, 
66. 68 ; tragedy of, 69. 

Wilner, Mrs. Merton W., 820. 

Wilson, C. R., 330. 

Wilson. Dr. Peter, 70; interpreter, 93; 
becomes army surgeon, 108; apeeeh 
of, 803. 

Wilson. Robert P., 330. 

Williams, Eliaa. 224. 

Williama. Seth. peeted by Lee. 133. 

Women in war, 23; costumes of, 57; 
head omamenta, 58. 

Worth, Capt.. 35. 

Wright. Mrs. Laura M., 191, 198, 206. 

Wright. Rev. Aaher, (missionaiy to 
the Senmsaa). 191; death of, 192, 
206; hdbed Seneoaa, 302, 309, 314. 

Wrii^t. W. W., interviews with Par^ 
ker, 100. 

Wyandota, 26. 

YATES Academy, 74; mentioned. 

262. 
Ye-ffo-wa-neh. (the Great Woman, sea 

Mother of Nationa or Ji-kon-sa- 

seh), 45. 
Young King. 21. 
Youngstown, 34. 



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