Читать книгу Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County - William Alexander Taylor - Страница 9

The First Unseen Terror.

This was what was variously designated "ague, ager, fever'n-nager, chills and fever," and now recorded in the books as "malaria" or "malarial fever."

The original, however, could have gotten in its work on the pioneers even if it had been unnamed.

The First Capital Execution.

The first execution in the county, and within the suburbs of the present city, was that of Shateyaronyah, Anglicized into Leather Lips, a celebrated Wyandot chief and philosopher. The account was originally recorded by Otway Curry, the poet and magazine writer of the first half of the nineteenth century, and from which his nephew, Colonel William L. Curry, a valiant cavalry officer in the civil war and present pension commissioner of Ohio, furnishes the following tragically interesting synopsis: The Doomed Wyandot.

"The great northern family of Indian tribes which seems to have been originally embraced in the generic term Iroquois consisted, according to some writers, of two grand divisions—the eastern and western. In the eastern division were included the five nations or Maquas (Mingos), as they were commonly called by the Algonquin tribes, and in the western the Yendots, or Wyandots (nick-named Hurons by the French) and three or four other nations, of whom a large proportion are now entirely extinct. The Yendots, after a long and deadly warfare, were nearly exterminated by the Five Nations about the middle of the seventeenth century. Of the survivors part sought refuge in Canada, where their descendants still remain; a few were incorporated among the different tribes of the conquerors, and the remainder, consisting chiefly of the Tionontates, retired to Lake Superior. In consequence of the disastrous wars in which they afterwards became involved with other powerful nations of the northwestern region, they again repaired to the vicinity of their old hunting grounds. With this remnant of the original Huron or Wyandot nation were united some scattered fragments of other broken-up tribes of the same stock, and though comparatively few in number they continued for a long period to assert successfully the right of sovereignty over the whole extent of country between the Ohio river and the lakes as far west as the territory of the Piankishaws, or Miamis, whose eastern boundary was probably an irregular line drawn through the valley of the Great Miami (Shimeamee) and the Ottawah-se-pee, or Maumee river of Lake Erie. The Shawanees and the Delawares, it is believed, were occupants of a part of the fore-mentioned country merely by sufferance of the Wyandots, whose right of dominion seemed never to have been called in question excepting by the Mingoes or Five Nations. The Shawanees were originally powerful and always warlike. Kentucky received its name from them in the course of their migrations between their former place of residence on the Suanee river, adjacent to the southern sea-coast, and the territory of the Yendots in the North. The name (Kentuckee) is compounded from the Shawanees and signifies a "land or place at the head of a river."

"The chosen residence of the Wyandots was at an early period, as it was later, on the waters of the Saun-dus-tee, or Sandusky. Though greatly reduced in numbers, they have, perhaps, attained a higher degree of civilization than any other tribe in the vicinity of the northwestern lakes. For the following specimen of the Wyandot language and for the greater part of the statements given above we are indebted to the Archaeologia Americana.

The Wyandot Vocabulary.

One, Scat.

Three. Shaight,

Two, Tin-dee.

Four, An-daght.

Six, Wau-shau.

Seven, Soo-tare.

Eight, Aultarai.

Nine, Ain-tru.

Ten, Augh-sagh.

Twenty, Ten-deit-a-waugh-sa.

Thirty, Shaigh-ka-waugh-sa.

Forty, An-daugh-ka-waugh-sa.

Fifty, Wee-ish-a-waugh-sa.

Sixty, Wau-shau-waugh-sa.

Seventy, Soo-tare-waugh-sa.

Eighty, Au-tarai-waugh-sa.

Ninety, Ain-tru-waugh-sa.

One Hundred, Scute-main-gar-we.

God, Ta-main-de-sue.

Devil, Degh-shu-re-noh.

Heaven, Ya-roh-nia.

Good, Ye-waugh-ste.

Bad. Waugh-she.

Hell, Degh-shunt.

Sun, Ya-an-des-hra.

Moon, Waugh-sunt-yu-an-des-ra.

Stars, Tegh-shu.

Sky, Cagh-ro-niate.

Clouds, Oght-se-rah.

Wind, Izu-quas.

It rains, Ina-un-du-se.

Thunder, Heno.

Lightning, Tim-men-di-quas.

Earth, Umaitsagh.

Deer, Ough-scan-oto.

Bear, Anu-e.

Raccoon, Ha-in-te-roh.

Fox, The-na-in-ton-to.

Beaver, Soo-taie.

Mink, So-hoh-main-dia.

Turkey, Daigh-ton-tah.

Squirrel, Ogh-ta-eh.

Otter, Ta-wen-deh.

Dog, Yun-ye-noh.

Cow, Kni-ton-squa-ront.

Horse, Ugh-shut-te.

Goose, Yah-hounk.

Duck, Yu-in-geh.

Man, Ain-ga-hon.

Woman, Uteh-ke.

Girl, Ya-weet-sen-tho.

Boy, Oma-int-sent-e-hah.

Child, Che-ah-hah.

Old Man, Ha-o-tong.

Old Woman, Ut-sin-dag-sa.

My Wife, Uzut-tun-oh-oh.

Corn, Nay-hah.

Beans, Yah-re-sah.

Potatoes, Da-ween-dah.

Melons, Oh-nugh-sa.

Grass, E-ru-tn.

"The foregoing sketch of the history and language of the Wyandots, though certainly not strictly necessary, will, it is hoped, be deemed not altogether inappropriate as an introduction to the following narrative of the circumstances attending the death of a chief of that nation. The particulars have been recently communicated by persons who were eye-witnesses to the execution and may be relied upon as perfectly accurate.

"In the evening of the first day of June, in the year 1810. there came six Wyandot warriors to the house of Mr. Benjamin Sells on the Scioto river, about twelve miles above the spot where now stands the city of Columbus. They were equipped in the most warlike manner and exhibited during their stay an unusual degree of agitation. Having ascertained that an old Wyandot chief, for whom they had been making diligent inquiry, was then encamped at a distance of about two miles farther up on the bank of the river, they expressed a determination to put him to death and immediately went off, in the direction of the lodge.

"These facts were communicated early in the ensuing morning, to Mr. John Sells, who now resides in the city of Dublin on the Scioto about two miles from the place where the doomed Wyandot met his fate. Mr. Sells immediately proceeded up the river on horseback in quest of the Indians. He soon arrived at the lodge, which he found situated in a grove of sugar trees, close to the bend of the river. The six warriors were seated in consultation at a distance of a few rods from the lodge. The old chief was with them, evidently in the character of a prisoner. His arms were confined by a small cord, but he sat with them without any manifestation of uneasiness. A few of the neighboring white men were also there, and a gloomy looking Indian who had been a companion of the chief, but now kept entirely aloof—sitting sullenly in the camp. Mr. Sells approached the Indians and found them earnestly engaged in debate. A charge of 'witchcraft' had been made at a former time against the chief by some of his captors, whose friends had been destroyed, as they believed, by means of his evil powers. This crime, according to the immemorial usage of the tribe involved a forfeiture of life. The chances of a hunter's life had brought the old man to his present location, and his pursuers had sought him out in order that they might execute upon him the sentence of their law.

The Fatal Council.

"The council was of two or three hours duration. The accusing party spoke alternately with much ceremony, but with evident bitterness of feeling.

The prisoner, in his replies, was eloquent, though dispassionate. Occasionally, a smile of scorn would appear, for an instant, on his countenance. At the close of the consultation it was ascertained that they had affirmed the sentence of death which had before been passed upon the chief. Inquiry having been made by some of the white men, with reference to their arrangements, the captain of the six warriors pointed to the sun and signified to them that the execution would take place at one o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Sells went to the captain and asked him what the chief had done. 'Very bad Indian.' he replied, 'make good Indian sick—make horse sick—make die—very bad chief.' Mr. Sells then made an effort to persuade his white friends to rescue the victim of superstition from his impending fate, but to no purpose. They were then in a frontier situation, entirely open to the incursions of the northern tribes and were, consequently unwilling to subject themselves to the displeasure of their savage visitors by any interference with their operations. He then proposed to release the chief by purchase—offering to the captain for that purpose a fine horse of the value of three hundred dollars. 'Let me see him.' said the Indian; the horse was accordingly brought forth, and closely examined; and so much were they staggered by this proposition that they again repaired to their place of consultation and remained in council a considerable length of time before it was finally rejected.

"The conference was again terminated, and five of the Indians began to amuse themselves with running, jumping and other athletic exercise. The captain took no part with them. When again inquired of, as to the time of execution, he pointed to the sun, as before, and indicated the hour of four.

The prisoner then walked slowly to his camp—partook of jerked venison—washed and arrayed himself in his best apparel and afterwards painted his face. His dress was very rich—his hair grey, his whole appearance, graceful and commanding. At his request, the whole company drew round him at the lodge. He then observed the exertions of Mr. Sells in his behalf, and presented to him a written paper, with a request that it might be read to the company.

It was a recommendation signed by Governor Hull and in compliance with the request of the prisoner, it was fixed and left upon the side of a large tree at a short distance from the wigwam.

The Chief's Sublime Stoicism.

"The hour of execution being close at hand, the chief shook hands in silence with the surrounding spectators. On coming to Mr. Sells he appeared much moved—grasped his hands warmly, spoke for a few minutes in the Wyandot language and pointed to the heavens. He then turned from the wigwam, and with a voice of surpassing strength and melody, commenced the chant of the death-song. He was followed closely by the Wyandot warriors, all timing with the slow and measured march, the music of his wild and melancholy dirge. The white men were all, likewise, silent followers in that strange procession. At the distance of seventy or eighty yards from the camp they came to a shallow grave, which, unknown to the white men, had been previously prepared by the Indians. Here the old man knelt down, and in an elevated, but solemn voice, addressed his prayer to the Great Spirit. As soon as he had finished, the captain of the Indians knelt beside him and prayed in a similar manner. Their prayers, of course, were spoken in the Wyandot language. When they arose, the captain was again accosted by Mr. Sells, who insisted that if they were inflexible in their determination to shed blood, they should at least remove their victim beyond the limit of the white settlement.

'No!' said he, very sternly, and with evident displeasure. 'No; good Indian fraid—he no go with this bad man—mouth give fire in the dark night, good Indian fraid—he no go!' 'My friend,' he continued, 'me tell you white man, bad man, white man kill him, Indian say nothing.'

The Final Scene.

"Finding all interference futile, Mr. Sells was at length compelled reluctantly to abandon the old man to his fate. After a few moments delay, he again sank down upon his knees and prayed, as he had done before. When he had ceased praying, he still continued in a kneeling position. All the rifles belonging to the party had been left at the wigwam. There was not a weapon of any kind to be seen at the place of execution, and the spectators were consequently unable to form any conjecture as to the mode of procedure, which the executioners had determined on for the fulfillment of their purpose. Suddenly one of the warriors drew from beneath the skirts of his capote, a keen, bright tomahawk, walked rapidly up behind the chieftain brandishing the weapon on high for a single moment and then struck with his full strength.

The blow descended directly upon the crown of the head and the victim immediately fell prostrate. After he had lain awhile in the agonies of death, the Indian directed the attention of the white men to the drops of sweat which were gathering upon the neck and face; remarking with much apparent exultation that it was conclusive proof of the sufferer's guilt. Again the executioner advanced and with the same weapon inflicted two or three additional and heavy blows.

"As soon as life was entirely extinct, the body was hastily buried with all its apparel and decorations and the assemblage dispersed. The Wyandots returned immediately to their hunting ground and the white men to their homes. The murdered chief was known among the whites by the name of Leather Lips. Around the spot where the bones repose the towering forest has given place to the grain fields and the soil above him has for years been furrowed and refurrowed by the plow-share."

First a County.

The county of Franklin began its political existence, by virtue of a legislative enactment, passed March 30, 1803, and taking effect April 30, 1803.

The metes and bounds of the county as originally fixed were as follows: "Beginning on the western boundary of the twentieth range of townships east of the Scioto river, at the corner of sections Nos. 24 and 25 in the 9th township of the 21st range, surveyed by John Matthews, thence west until it intersects the eastern boundary line of Greene county, thence north with said line until it intersects the State line, thence eastwardly with the said line to the northwest corner of Fairfield county, thence with the western boundary line of Fairfield to the point of beginning." That is, bounded on the east by nearly our present line, south by a line near the middle of what is now Pickaway county, on the west by Greene county, and on the north by Lake Erie. The creation of the county of Delaware in 1808, reduced our northern boundary to its present line; the creation of the county of Pickaway in 1810, reduced our southern boundary to its present limits; the creation of Madison in 1810, and of Union in 1820, reduced our western limits to the boundaries represented by Wheeler's County Map, published in 1842; but subsequently, by an act of the legislature passed the 4th of March, 1845, our western boundary was changed by making Darby creek the line from the northwest corner of Brown to the north line of Pleasant township, as represented by Foote's Map of 1856; and by an act passed the 27th of January, 1857, entitled "An act to annex a part of Licking county to the county of Franklin," there were nine half sections taken from the southwest corner of Licking, and attached to Franklin. This occasions the jog in the eastern line of Truro township, as represented on the maps. Then at the session of 1850-51, a range of sections, being a strip one mile in width and six miles in length, including the town of Winchester, was taken from Fairfield county and attached to the east side of Madison township, in Franklin county, as represented on Foote's Map. The county is now in nearly a square form, and is twenty-two and a half miles in extent north and south, and would probably average a trifle over that from east to west.

First Judges; First Court House; First Jail; First Court Record.

On April 6, 1803, the legislature, sitting at Chillicothe, met in joint session of both bodies, house and senate, and elected the following associate judges of the court of common pleas for Franklin county: John Dill, David Jamison and Joseph Foos. The state was divided into three judicial districts.

Three presiding judges of common pleas, viz.: Calvin Pease for the first, Wyllys Silliman for the second, and Francis Dunlavy for the third were chosen as such. On the same day Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., Samuel Huntington and William Sprigg were elected supreme judges. Associate judges were elected in each of the seventeen counties into which the state was divided, so that the state judiciary in all its branches was established at the same legislative session.

The first court of common pleas for the county, therefore, was Hon. Wyllys Silliman, of Washington county, presiding judge; Hon. John Dill, Hon. David Jamison and Hon. Joseph Foos, associate justices or judges.

The first session of this court was holden May 10, 1803. The following is