Between the years 1821-1833 Cobmoosa became more wealthy simply because he moved freely and was welcome in all Grand River valley Indian villages. He could bed down just about anywhere and found much favor in the eyes of his father-in-law Chief Wobwindigo within his Flat River villages. He invested in settler pursuits, too, such as fur trading, provisional goods, banking and steamboat building for river and Great Lakes travel. As such he didn't have to scrounge for visible means of support for his growing family; three wives, the daughters of Chief Wobwindigo. He never panhandled incoming settlers, but greeted them as friends. He knew the value of money was as shrewd as President Andrew Jackson.
Cobmoosa, from age 53-92 walked to Grand Rapids from Lowell or Ionia to pick up his annual annuity payments. He was punctual and he frequently told the Black Skins living in the Greenville area and Plainfield's Chief Neogamah to show up in person for payment, but they refused and blamed others for their misfortunes. Wabasis was a scapegoat. The missionaries in frequent letters to President Jackson complained that no what they tried to teach; farming there were those Indians that were lazy who preferred to harass incoming settlers. Pres. Jackson refused to pay those who were naughty and threatened bloodshed.
After the signing of the 1821 treaty Cobmoosa was aware of those who were angry with Washington. He reiterated at council meetings that the constant turmoil by renegades must stop, but Plainfield's Chief Neogamah along with Max Sauba refused to go get their annuity payments and began blaming Wabasis. They were convinced that Wabasis was stealing their proxy money and demanded that Wabasis be sanctioned for death. This wasn't approved by council chiefs. Cobmoosa's breath was wasted on deaf ears. They refused to listen and so Wabasis was banished to his agricultural plot at Wabasis Lake.
With so many of Noon Days tribe leaving for reservations in southern Michigan and Missouri, Cobmoosa dissolved into tribes north of the Grand River. From 1821-1836 he didn't want to leave the land of his forefathers and it became apparent after the 1836 treaty signing he stayed in the Flat River country protecting and paying yearly homage to those buried in Indian Cemeteries. He had heard of the atrocities of those incoming settlers who were guilty of ransacking Indian burial grounds. Each November 2nd he visited the graves of his ancestors; family and friends. He guarded them until the time came for him to leave for the Pentwater Reservation in 1860 after signing the Treaty of 1855 that forced him to leave before the close of 1860.
Cobmoosa over the years would trade and barter for Indian type goods in exchange for what he wanted; apples, squash and vegetables. He even traded furs for a shotgun from Mrs. Sessions, east of Ionia, Muir and Portage so he could hunt game. Old age was already claiming his arms and his strength for pulling back a bow string was getting more difficult with the passing of time.
After returning from signing the Treaty of 1836 Chief Wobwindigo and Cobmoosa arrived in their village to find that two-thirds of Wobwindigo's people had died of small pox in their absence. Two of Wobwindigo's sons and families had died and nowhere to be found was his last living son Sohnago. His remaining people were sick with small pox. Evidently Sohnago was starving and so terrified of the disease he abandoned the village and fled to Gull Prairie.
Since Wobwindigo himself was so badly afflicted with small pox Cobmoosa took command and led a hunting party north up the Flat River and brought back food to feed his adopted Ottawa people. Cobmoosa was immune to the disease. His hunting party returned by canoe while he walked back to Wobwindigo's village.
Wobwindigo died from complications associated with small pox in early 1837, but before he passed on Chief Wobwindigo made Cobmoosa, the Potawatomi half-breed son-in-law, the last Ottawa chief of the Grand River and Flat River region. Cobmoosa, once the second in command of Noon Days "rapid village" in Grand Rapids on the shore of the Grand River became an Ottawa chief, the last by inheritance.
Cobmoosa remembered that in the early days traders could not sell whiskey or any liquored firewater to Indians. That was forbidden under government oversight, but there came the day when any settler could sell it on "credit" if they had it and this infuriated President Jackson. He and Indian women knew the dangers facing me who drank liquor in excess and had guns in their possession. Drinking parties ended in death to someone they didn't agree with like those who plied firewater with Chief Kewaycooshcum, then murdered him near the confluence of Coldbrook Creek and Grand River. His body buried beneath the bluffs of the Plainfield village so his spirit could look down at what he sold (south of the Grand River in 1821). (continued)
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Legends of Chief Cobmoosa & Pres. A. J. - 16
President Andrew Jackson was a shrewd military man. Before he became President he availed himself to dealing with Indians, both friendly and hostile. He knew from his earliest days that taking Indian lands by force led to much bloodshed and he would later in life like to avoid that travesty.
Under the direction of President James Monroe he with his detachment of military men struck out for Florida to stop the Seminole raids on US territory in 1817 and was named provisional governor of Florida in 1821. At the time President Monroe was engaged in the Treaty of 1821 for lands south of the Grand River. The primary chiefs would receive upwards of $1000.00 each, while their people only received a little more than 10 cents per year and the Indians could receive annuity payments by proxies.
The Indian proxies were stealing money from each other and tribal feuds were festering. Indians were fighting each other and so when Jackson became President he gave the Twenty-Third Congress an ultimatum to change how Indians would be paid. Congress in 1834 made it illegal for any one individual Indian to be a proxy for others, but many Indians knew nothing about this change. Indians had to show up in person to claim their own annuity after the Treaty of was signed. What chiefs and family members were paid was what Congress agreed to pay. Educated half-breeds were paid exclusively by Presidents - sometimes depending on their services to Washington.
President Andrew Jackson has been the only president to clear the national debt and he paid that last installment in 1835
It was not uncommon to pay a half-breeds higher each year as opposed to chiefs that received less. Under the newly signed 1836 Treaty the educated half-breeds could get $5000.00 a year as deemed applicable by missionary reports. Six weeks after the treaty was signed President Andrew Jackson being frustrated how easy it was to fleece the Indians issued a 'specie circular' ordering that all Federal lands be purchased in gold and silver.
Some historians for years stated America didn't have gold and silver to pay them, but whoever said the gold and silver was mined in America. President Andrew Jackson purchased that minted gold and silver coins from Spain and Italy and it was shipped to Washington exclusively for Indian payment. Mining of gold and silver wasn't a happening thing until the 1847 California gold rush.
Under the 1836 treaty the chiefs got about got less, because in the old days since they were proxies they had to share it the tribe. Under this treaty tribal members received $1.25 plus one blanket. Since chiefs were no longer proxies they got less. The President paid the half-breeds upwards of $5000.00 and Congress had no part in dictating how half-breeds like Cobmoosa, Boshaw and Wabasis, born of French Traders were paid.
The differences between the 1821 and 1836 treaty is quite simple. Under the 1821 Treaty they were paid 10 cent and 1836 paid $1.25. Under the 1821 treaty it covered a much broader territory than the 1836 treaty. Thousands more Indians lived south of the Grand River.
Prior to 1836 the Federal government estimated more than 17,000 lived in the western half of the lower Michigan and 4000 lived along the Grand River. But with the influx of settlers came a wave of small pox epidemics that decreased the population by two-third. As the disease spread thru villages many died and the shares of those who died were passed on to the living. Those who left the area out of fear left no forwarding addresses so payments were greater to.
What Indian half-breeds and chiefs were paid was also determined by 'spy reports' sent from missionaries within the Indian tribal villages to President Jackson. They would report on who were considered friendly and those who the renegades. Missionaries would write how they found the Indians and if they accepted religion - Baptist or Catholic.
President Jackson knew that to be successful during America's expansion period he had to pursue peaceful negotiations with the Indians. He knew he couldn't steamroll them with broken promises. He had to get them engaged in religion and farming. (continued)
Under the direction of President James Monroe he with his detachment of military men struck out for Florida to stop the Seminole raids on US territory in 1817 and was named provisional governor of Florida in 1821. At the time President Monroe was engaged in the Treaty of 1821 for lands south of the Grand River. The primary chiefs would receive upwards of $1000.00 each, while their people only received a little more than 10 cents per year and the Indians could receive annuity payments by proxies.
The Indian proxies were stealing money from each other and tribal feuds were festering. Indians were fighting each other and so when Jackson became President he gave the Twenty-Third Congress an ultimatum to change how Indians would be paid. Congress in 1834 made it illegal for any one individual Indian to be a proxy for others, but many Indians knew nothing about this change. Indians had to show up in person to claim their own annuity after the Treaty of was signed. What chiefs and family members were paid was what Congress agreed to pay. Educated half-breeds were paid exclusively by Presidents - sometimes depending on their services to Washington.
President Andrew Jackson has been the only president to clear the national debt and he paid that last installment in 1835
It was not uncommon to pay a half-breeds higher each year as opposed to chiefs that received less. Under the newly signed 1836 Treaty the educated half-breeds could get $5000.00 a year as deemed applicable by missionary reports. Six weeks after the treaty was signed President Andrew Jackson being frustrated how easy it was to fleece the Indians issued a 'specie circular' ordering that all Federal lands be purchased in gold and silver.
Some historians for years stated America didn't have gold and silver to pay them, but whoever said the gold and silver was mined in America. President Andrew Jackson purchased that minted gold and silver coins from Spain and Italy and it was shipped to Washington exclusively for Indian payment. Mining of gold and silver wasn't a happening thing until the 1847 California gold rush.
Under the 1836 treaty the chiefs got about got less, because in the old days since they were proxies they had to share it the tribe. Under this treaty tribal members received $1.25 plus one blanket. Since chiefs were no longer proxies they got less. The President paid the half-breeds upwards of $5000.00 and Congress had no part in dictating how half-breeds like Cobmoosa, Boshaw and Wabasis, born of French Traders were paid.
The differences between the 1821 and 1836 treaty is quite simple. Under the 1821 Treaty they were paid 10 cent and 1836 paid $1.25. Under the 1821 treaty it covered a much broader territory than the 1836 treaty. Thousands more Indians lived south of the Grand River.
Prior to 1836 the Federal government estimated more than 17,000 lived in the western half of the lower Michigan and 4000 lived along the Grand River. But with the influx of settlers came a wave of small pox epidemics that decreased the population by two-third. As the disease spread thru villages many died and the shares of those who died were passed on to the living. Those who left the area out of fear left no forwarding addresses so payments were greater to.
What Indian half-breeds and chiefs were paid was also determined by 'spy reports' sent from missionaries within the Indian tribal villages to President Jackson. They would report on who were considered friendly and those who the renegades. Missionaries would write how they found the Indians and if they accepted religion - Baptist or Catholic.
President Jackson knew that to be successful during America's expansion period he had to pursue peaceful negotiations with the Indians. He knew he couldn't steamroll them with broken promises. He had to get them engaged in religion and farming. (continued)
Legends of Chief Cobmoosa & Pres. A.J. -15
About the time of Indian uprisings in 1835, the Grand River valley Indians heard of another battle taking place between settler Rix Robinson, Esq. and Norman Smith, as Ada Township's first supervisor. No blood shed, but heated words between two men vying for the same job. Robinson would lose by one vote (31) to Smith's 32 votes, which gives you the density of settlers in the wilderness south of the Grand River living in a wilderness area still teaming with Indians - a few hostile ones. One hundred percent of the voters cast their ballot.
Although well known as a good friend of the Indians and tribes still living along the Grand River at Ada Robinson still lost. He had operated an Indian fur trading post at Ada for several years and was the first white man to live among the savages. Earlier upon his arrival he paddled his own canoe laden with provisions up and down the wilderness rivers (trails) and traded his goods for wolf, bear, deer, beaver and muskrat pelts as did many Indians he met in his journeys. Wild turkeys were plentiful until the early 1860's. All kept many early settlers and Indians from starving to death.
Shortly before election day Robinson married the sister of the great Indian Chief named Ma-oh-bin-na-kiz-hich, known as Chief Hazy Cloud of Ada. Remember we time travel so "Zap" we arrive in the 1980's - 150 years into the future. One evening I received a telephone call from a board member of the Green Ridge Country Club on Alpine Avenue between I-96 and Four Mile Road in Walker, Michigan. They had just purchased a large parcel in Ada Township for a new golf course, but were stumped for a name.
A director wanted an Indian name, but since the Indian name (Maohbinnakizhich) wouldn't roll off the tip of your tongue or cause your brain to remember I advised them to name it Egypt Valley Country Club, because Egypt Valley Creek meanders thru the property. This area was known for its hills of wheat - high country all the way to Ionia. And so my legend goes that since nobody would remember that Indian name I labeled it Egypt Valley Country Club, which was majority voted as Egypt Valley Country Club.
This picturesque name sticks in your head. Egypt Valley Creek and the Egypt River in Egypt both have opposite deltas. The creek starts from delta like conditions and the river under the same name ends in a dense delta. That's what make Egypt Valley Country Club so unique.
Zap! Back to 1835. Chief Hazy Cloud's stature was small, but he had great influence upon his tribal village with the help of his own educated half-breed Indian known as Boshaw. Like Cobmoosa and Wabasis, Hazy Cloud and Boshaw, all spearheaded the drive between other Algonquin nation chiefs, considered the most powerful tribes in Michigan in the Grand River Valley prior to signing the 1836 treaty. Rix Robinson took Chief Hazy Cloud just as Noonday took Cobmoosa to Washington to sign that treaty. Boshaw took command of Chief Hazy Cloud's village in his absence, but neither Boshaw, Cobmoosa or Wabasis sign the treaty. These three were half-breed Indians, but paid with higher funds as dictated by Presidents and not Congress under the treaties.
The chief Algonquin tribes upon signing the treaty were comprised of mixed groups of Miami (MI), Sauk (SA), Mascoutin (MA), Menominee (ME), Ojibwa (OJ), Ottawa (OT), Potawatomi (PO). Small groups of Huron (HU), Wyandots (WY) represented the Iroquois north of the Grand River. Cobmoosa, Boshaw and Wabasis were widely respected among all these tribes and the population of all was about 17,000 prior to the small pox epidemics between 1831-1837. (continued)
Although well known as a good friend of the Indians and tribes still living along the Grand River at Ada Robinson still lost. He had operated an Indian fur trading post at Ada for several years and was the first white man to live among the savages. Earlier upon his arrival he paddled his own canoe laden with provisions up and down the wilderness rivers (trails) and traded his goods for wolf, bear, deer, beaver and muskrat pelts as did many Indians he met in his journeys. Wild turkeys were plentiful until the early 1860's. All kept many early settlers and Indians from starving to death.
Shortly before election day Robinson married the sister of the great Indian Chief named Ma-oh-bin-na-kiz-hich, known as Chief Hazy Cloud of Ada. Remember we time travel so "Zap" we arrive in the 1980's - 150 years into the future. One evening I received a telephone call from a board member of the Green Ridge Country Club on Alpine Avenue between I-96 and Four Mile Road in Walker, Michigan. They had just purchased a large parcel in Ada Township for a new golf course, but were stumped for a name.
A director wanted an Indian name, but since the Indian name (Maohbinnakizhich) wouldn't roll off the tip of your tongue or cause your brain to remember I advised them to name it Egypt Valley Country Club, because Egypt Valley Creek meanders thru the property. This area was known for its hills of wheat - high country all the way to Ionia. And so my legend goes that since nobody would remember that Indian name I labeled it Egypt Valley Country Club, which was majority voted as Egypt Valley Country Club.
This picturesque name sticks in your head. Egypt Valley Creek and the Egypt River in Egypt both have opposite deltas. The creek starts from delta like conditions and the river under the same name ends in a dense delta. That's what make Egypt Valley Country Club so unique.
Zap! Back to 1835. Chief Hazy Cloud's stature was small, but he had great influence upon his tribal village with the help of his own educated half-breed Indian known as Boshaw. Like Cobmoosa and Wabasis, Hazy Cloud and Boshaw, all spearheaded the drive between other Algonquin nation chiefs, considered the most powerful tribes in Michigan in the Grand River Valley prior to signing the 1836 treaty. Rix Robinson took Chief Hazy Cloud just as Noonday took Cobmoosa to Washington to sign that treaty. Boshaw took command of Chief Hazy Cloud's village in his absence, but neither Boshaw, Cobmoosa or Wabasis sign the treaty. These three were half-breed Indians, but paid with higher funds as dictated by Presidents and not Congress under the treaties.
The chief Algonquin tribes upon signing the treaty were comprised of mixed groups of Miami (MI), Sauk (SA), Mascoutin (MA), Menominee (ME), Ojibwa (OJ), Ottawa (OT), Potawatomi (PO). Small groups of Huron (HU), Wyandots (WY) represented the Iroquois north of the Grand River. Cobmoosa, Boshaw and Wabasis were widely respected among all these tribes and the population of all was about 17,000 prior to the small pox epidemics between 1831-1837. (continued)
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Legends of Chief Cobmoosa & Pres. A.J. - 14
Cobmoosa and Meccissininni were quite different in how they approached the customs of Washington. Cobmoosa when visiting made no bones about the fact he would always be Indian and dress like an Indian and be nothing less than Indian.
Meccissininni was just the opposite.
He always tried dressing like the pale faces and went so far to hide his skin. On the brightest hot summer days it was a strange scene to see an Indian chief walking in Grand Rapids shielding his facial skin from the sun with a raised umbrella. Tanning skin further he did not like. You could say he wasn't comfortable in his own skin.
Meccissininni, the young chief was accompanied to Washington by Rev. Slater, Louis Campau and Rix Robinson, while Cobmoosa helped Chief Wobwindigo. They all traveled together as did many other chiefs from the whole treaty region. Tribes in the far north weren't infected with the small pox epidemics, but it sure was running rampant in the Grand River valley and Wobwindigo was suffering from it. Some Indian statistics say upwards of 4000 had died from 1831-1837.
Young Chief Mecissininni was about 45 years old, but he knew enough about the white settlers to travel like the white brethren and dress like a pale face. Gen. Jackson was not impressed with Mecissininni upon their first contact and yet to humor Mecissininni the President had his tailors make him a good suit of clothes and insisted that Mecissininni tell him what kind he would prefer.
Since "General Jackson was Chief of his people and he was Chief of the red men" it would be he thought appropriate if he had a suit like the General. It was a black frock coat, black satin vest, black pantaloons, silk stockings, and pumps; but the best was what Gen. Jackson wore at the time. A white bell-crowned hat with a weed on it. What Mecissininni didn't understand was Jackson was in mourning after the death of his wife. The weed was a badge of mourning and Meccissininni placed one on his hat which Gen. Jackson and his entire Cabinet were not amused.
Meccissininni wore his outfit home and wherever he went he was delighted with the warm receptions he received in different cities on his return home. Jackson held his tongue and the initial Treaty of 1836 was signed. Gen. Jackson had made plans for the event the Chiefs did not sign in Washington - they'd be arrested taken by military escort to the reservations. Those who didn't sign would never return to their villages to stir up trouble with settlers.
When Meccissininni returned home to his village, the Indian council met to hear the specifics of the treaty where this new eloquent orator gave his assessment of the treaty. Washington purchased the land and they were to remove west of the Mississippi River what he thought would be a certain amount of years; (Congress forgot to add a removal date on the treaty) where new land would be given to them on reservations. Several other Chiefs balked and didn't like this arrangement and were opposed to leaving the lands of their fathers. Meccissininni then delivered his most eloquent speech in support of it as did Cobmoosa, Wabasis and Chief Wobwindigo.
In his remarks Meccissininni said he would rather like to remain here and be buried where his forefathers were buried. His people would fair better if he went west of the Mississippi with them so they wouldn't become treated poorly because of association with pale faces.
In 1841 Mecissininni was invited to a Fourth of July celebration and after an oration he was called upon to toast the day and said, "The pale faces and the red men - the former a great nation, and the latter the remnants of a great people; may they ever meet in unity together, and celebrate this great day as a band of brothers."
A time later Meccissininni bartered for some goods at a provisional store on the west side of the Grand River near where the old ferry crossed. He asked for credit and would pay at the next annuity payment. After the next payment time the Chief stopped to settle his bill. He told the grocer he must put up a paper, send it to his home, and he would pay it. He wanted to do business like white people.
The grocer made out his bill and appeared at the Chief's house. He was ushered in with all politeness imaginable and the bill was paid, but he told the grocer he want a receipt. The grocer showed him his presents and while doing so Mecissininni donned his suit which Gen. Jackson had presented him, then brushed his hair back and began imitating the walk of Gen. Jackson and took long strides back and forth across the room. He then stepped short and quick to imitate Vice-President Martin Van Buren. After watching this for an hour he pleasantly left and Meccissininni gave him a polite invitation to call again. The President and Washington's atmosphere had impressed the Chief. (continued).
Meccissininni was just the opposite.
He always tried dressing like the pale faces and went so far to hide his skin. On the brightest hot summer days it was a strange scene to see an Indian chief walking in Grand Rapids shielding his facial skin from the sun with a raised umbrella. Tanning skin further he did not like. You could say he wasn't comfortable in his own skin.
Meccissininni, the young chief was accompanied to Washington by Rev. Slater, Louis Campau and Rix Robinson, while Cobmoosa helped Chief Wobwindigo. They all traveled together as did many other chiefs from the whole treaty region. Tribes in the far north weren't infected with the small pox epidemics, but it sure was running rampant in the Grand River valley and Wobwindigo was suffering from it. Some Indian statistics say upwards of 4000 had died from 1831-1837.
Young Chief Mecissininni was about 45 years old, but he knew enough about the white settlers to travel like the white brethren and dress like a pale face. Gen. Jackson was not impressed with Mecissininni upon their first contact and yet to humor Mecissininni the President had his tailors make him a good suit of clothes and insisted that Mecissininni tell him what kind he would prefer.
Since "General Jackson was Chief of his people and he was Chief of the red men" it would be he thought appropriate if he had a suit like the General. It was a black frock coat, black satin vest, black pantaloons, silk stockings, and pumps; but the best was what Gen. Jackson wore at the time. A white bell-crowned hat with a weed on it. What Mecissininni didn't understand was Jackson was in mourning after the death of his wife. The weed was a badge of mourning and Meccissininni placed one on his hat which Gen. Jackson and his entire Cabinet were not amused.
Meccissininni wore his outfit home and wherever he went he was delighted with the warm receptions he received in different cities on his return home. Jackson held his tongue and the initial Treaty of 1836 was signed. Gen. Jackson had made plans for the event the Chiefs did not sign in Washington - they'd be arrested taken by military escort to the reservations. Those who didn't sign would never return to their villages to stir up trouble with settlers.
When Meccissininni returned home to his village, the Indian council met to hear the specifics of the treaty where this new eloquent orator gave his assessment of the treaty. Washington purchased the land and they were to remove west of the Mississippi River what he thought would be a certain amount of years; (Congress forgot to add a removal date on the treaty) where new land would be given to them on reservations. Several other Chiefs balked and didn't like this arrangement and were opposed to leaving the lands of their fathers. Meccissininni then delivered his most eloquent speech in support of it as did Cobmoosa, Wabasis and Chief Wobwindigo.
In his remarks Meccissininni said he would rather like to remain here and be buried where his forefathers were buried. His people would fair better if he went west of the Mississippi with them so they wouldn't become treated poorly because of association with pale faces.
In 1841 Mecissininni was invited to a Fourth of July celebration and after an oration he was called upon to toast the day and said, "The pale faces and the red men - the former a great nation, and the latter the remnants of a great people; may they ever meet in unity together, and celebrate this great day as a band of brothers."
A time later Meccissininni bartered for some goods at a provisional store on the west side of the Grand River near where the old ferry crossed. He asked for credit and would pay at the next annuity payment. After the next payment time the Chief stopped to settle his bill. He told the grocer he must put up a paper, send it to his home, and he would pay it. He wanted to do business like white people.
The grocer made out his bill and appeared at the Chief's house. He was ushered in with all politeness imaginable and the bill was paid, but he told the grocer he want a receipt. The grocer showed him his presents and while doing so Mecissininni donned his suit which Gen. Jackson had presented him, then brushed his hair back and began imitating the walk of Gen. Jackson and took long strides back and forth across the room. He then stepped short and quick to imitate Vice-President Martin Van Buren. After watching this for an hour he pleasantly left and Meccissininni gave him a polite invitation to call again. The President and Washington's atmosphere had impressed the Chief. (continued).
Monday, April 20, 2015
Legends of Chief Cobmoosa & Pres. A.J.
Sohnago was the last son of Chief Wobwindigo. While the older Chief Wobwindigo was on a journey to Washington with Cobmoosa and Wabasis, Rix Robinson and Chief Meccessininni nearly two-thirds of Wobwindigo's village died of small pox.
Wobwindigo was stricken with fever earlier from small pox and survived the epidemic in 1834, but was sickened so badly that Cobmoosa was put in charge of tending to the sick and dying. He made Cobmoosa third in command of his village.
Wobwindigo's health improved and it was getting close for them to leave for the initial signing in Washington on March 28, 1836. Cobmoosa and Wabasis were traveling guests. They never signed this Treaty of 1836. Their real task was to prevent hostilities between Indians and settlers leading up to signing.
Sohnago feared the sickness that had claimed his two brothers lives along with other family members and would strike him. Afraid he took off into the bush heading for Gull Prairie to escape death by small pox. He drank in excess to forget his cowardice and misery. He was no longer welcome in other small villages for fear he could already be infected and cause the deaths of many other Indians with whom he had contact with.
Sohnago's desire was to leave the village before Wobwindigo returned. He refused to take care of his people. When Wobwindigo returned he felt betrayed that his last remaining son had refused to become chief and so Cobmoosa became Wobwindigo's second in command. Shortly after returning Wobwindigo started getting weaker, the sickness had returned, but he still traveled to Mackinaw for the formal signing at Mackinaw on May 28, 1836 and after the formal signing of the treaty at Mackinaw returned to his village only to learn that his son Sohnago never returned. He was devastated.
Cobmoosa's heart as a was pure gold. When they returned to Wobwindigo's village Cobmoosa accepted the challenge to take care of his father-in-law and provide for the tribe's needs.
Cobmoosa was a Potwatomie living in Wobwindigo's Ottawa village. That wasn't important. What was most important was that Cobmoosa became the village caregiver. Wobwindigo's health was declining and death was getting near so Wobwindigo with all his strength and waning voice turned over his Ottawa village to Cobmoosa and made him the last remaining Chief of the Ottawas in the Grand River valley.
Cobmoosa was the life saver of Wobwindigo's village. In the absence of Sohnago he led fishing and hunting parties up the Flat River to acquire furs for bartering for goods and food for surviving tribal members. It was thought that Sohnago was fleeing south, but somewhere he found some firewater and in a drunken stupor barged in on Mrs. Thomson.
Lots of other stories about the legend of Cobmoosa and the plight of the Indians in the Grand River Valley continues until next time. Several other renegades will surface to challenge Cobmoosa and Wabasis including a fascinating story about Chief Meccessininni and President Andrew Jackson. (continued)
Wobwindigo was stricken with fever earlier from small pox and survived the epidemic in 1834, but was sickened so badly that Cobmoosa was put in charge of tending to the sick and dying. He made Cobmoosa third in command of his village.
Wobwindigo's health improved and it was getting close for them to leave for the initial signing in Washington on March 28, 1836. Cobmoosa and Wabasis were traveling guests. They never signed this Treaty of 1836. Their real task was to prevent hostilities between Indians and settlers leading up to signing.
Sohnago feared the sickness that had claimed his two brothers lives along with other family members and would strike him. Afraid he took off into the bush heading for Gull Prairie to escape death by small pox. He drank in excess to forget his cowardice and misery. He was no longer welcome in other small villages for fear he could already be infected and cause the deaths of many other Indians with whom he had contact with.
Sohnago's desire was to leave the village before Wobwindigo returned. He refused to take care of his people. When Wobwindigo returned he felt betrayed that his last remaining son had refused to become chief and so Cobmoosa became Wobwindigo's second in command. Shortly after returning Wobwindigo started getting weaker, the sickness had returned, but he still traveled to Mackinaw for the formal signing at Mackinaw on May 28, 1836 and after the formal signing of the treaty at Mackinaw returned to his village only to learn that his son Sohnago never returned. He was devastated.
Cobmoosa's heart as a was pure gold. When they returned to Wobwindigo's village Cobmoosa accepted the challenge to take care of his father-in-law and provide for the tribe's needs.
Cobmoosa was a Potwatomie living in Wobwindigo's Ottawa village. That wasn't important. What was most important was that Cobmoosa became the village caregiver. Wobwindigo's health was declining and death was getting near so Wobwindigo with all his strength and waning voice turned over his Ottawa village to Cobmoosa and made him the last remaining Chief of the Ottawas in the Grand River valley.
Cobmoosa was the life saver of Wobwindigo's village. In the absence of Sohnago he led fishing and hunting parties up the Flat River to acquire furs for bartering for goods and food for surviving tribal members. It was thought that Sohnago was fleeing south, but somewhere he found some firewater and in a drunken stupor barged in on Mrs. Thomson.
Lots of other stories about the legend of Cobmoosa and the plight of the Indians in the Grand River Valley continues until next time. Several other renegades will surface to challenge Cobmoosa and Wabasis including a fascinating story about Chief Meccessininni and President Andrew Jackson. (continued)
Legends of Chief Cobmoosa & Pres. A.J. - 13
Chief Cobmoosa, Noonday & Kewaycooshcum were three Indians who never left for Indian Reservations from 1821-1833. They remained until they heard there was the possibility that Washington wanted another treaty for the western half of territory between the north shore of the Grand River to Mackinaw.
The settlers were already pushing against the south shore of the Grand River and so was born two equally dangerous renegades named Negake and Max Sauba who vowed a rein of terror against all they met. Arriving settlers to the northern edge of the 1821 treaty were being verbally abused with death threats and these two could become a problem within the tribes. They were constantly badgering settlers and in fact tensions were rising and when Cobmoosa heard rumblings in villages across the Grand River it was he who dampened the fires of the renegades.
Any settler who engaged Negake and Max Sauba would reap a world of intimidation and receive death threats if settlers violated Indian Territory north of the Grand River. Luther Lincoln was the exception. Negake was not a Grand River Indian, but was accepted in Potawatomi villages until they left for reservations. He was from an Eastern war-like tribe and for that reason was not welcome in Chippewa or Ottawa villages. He was constantly spewing his hatred for non-Indians and the missionaries knew he would be trouble for Washington.
The mixed tribal villages feared retribution from Washington if renegades began terrorizing the northern frontier of the 1821 treaty. Cobmoosa knew that Washington fathers took a dim view of any Indian aggression seriously. Non-aggression Indians would get the lion's share of the blame if hostilities broke out no matter what Indian; good or bad was at fault. Cobmoosa sprang to action and quelled the threats in the villages. He countered that Indians couldn't win against Washington - to do otherwise would be futile.
When the villages disbanded at the rapids villages Negake lived at Plainfield Village for a time and one day while out walking he came upon a Federal government surveyor who had accidentally gone across the river. Negake confronted the trespassing surveyor and in a brawl killed him near the 43rd parallel. Tribes within the Grand River valley were enraged and not impressed with Negake's actions and sanctioned him for death under Indian law. Cobmoosa didn't like what he heard about the grizzly murder of the government surveyor. He felt it was a senseless killing that could bring harm to those tribes who were friendly and trying to adopt to the farming ways of settlers.
Two bad Indians, the interlopers from a distant tribe was all that was needed to turn the Grand River running red. The renegades drifted back and forth between tribes spewing their hatred for settlers and constantly trying to spur on the tribes for war, but Cobmoosa and young Wabasis would show up to counter any gains they had made. This infuriated the renegades and the hatred for Wabasis.
One dark night the renegades on ponies began nightly rituals of threatening the homesteaders in the Thornapple and Coldwater River area in the mid 1830's. Mrs. Thomson of Bowne Township got a frightening surprise. A drunken ex-Indian chief named Soh-na-go burst inside her crude cabin. He sat down in her rocking chair drinking some rot-gut firewater.
Nearly out of his head and finding her chair to his liking, he rocked it so hard he threw himself right out and into the fireplace. Horrified Mrs. Thomson made a grab for him to pull him out, but he became belligerent and threatened to stab her with his knife. She fearing for her life grabbed the fireplace axe and threatened to kill him if he advanced towards her.
Sohnago sprang from the fire running past her. He stood in the doorway yelling that within many moons there was going to be a great Indian battle against white settlers - to kill her and drive others from Indian lands. Under the Treaty of 1821 any Indian still residing in the area was an illegal squatter and gave up the right to own land south of the Grand River. He was resisting Washington's directives to leave. Moving south Sohnago in his drunken stupor yelled his battle threats to other settlers, too, and they were afraid.
News of an Indian uprising spread quickly by canoe down the Thornapple River and Grand River to all settlements within the Treaty of 1821 to beware of loudmouth renegade Indians. Just the threats of an Indian attack at Lowell was enough to stop settlers and farmers from proceeding further towards Indian territory until the initial Treaty of 1836 was signed on March 28, 1836.
Still the threats made by renegades was enough for President Andrew Jackson to dispatch a military detachment with 2 cannons in tow into the Michigan wilderness from Detroit. Jackson wanted to make sure no hostilities broke out after the treaty was signed. Settlers needed assurances the government would act to protect them.
Cobmoosa sprang to action and sent runners to Wabasis and both proceeded quickly to council meetings where the renegades were demanding that the tribes go to war. Wabasis would arrive first by canoe while Cobmoosa walked. War drums beat louder each night, the sky ablaze with the bonfire light and towering smoke plumes in the north territory and again Cobmoosa and Wabasis with eloquence quelled the disturbances by renegade Indians.
So who was Sohnago and what was his relationship with Cobmoosa? (continued)
The settlers were already pushing against the south shore of the Grand River and so was born two equally dangerous renegades named Negake and Max Sauba who vowed a rein of terror against all they met. Arriving settlers to the northern edge of the 1821 treaty were being verbally abused with death threats and these two could become a problem within the tribes. They were constantly badgering settlers and in fact tensions were rising and when Cobmoosa heard rumblings in villages across the Grand River it was he who dampened the fires of the renegades.
Any settler who engaged Negake and Max Sauba would reap a world of intimidation and receive death threats if settlers violated Indian Territory north of the Grand River. Luther Lincoln was the exception. Negake was not a Grand River Indian, but was accepted in Potawatomi villages until they left for reservations. He was from an Eastern war-like tribe and for that reason was not welcome in Chippewa or Ottawa villages. He was constantly spewing his hatred for non-Indians and the missionaries knew he would be trouble for Washington.
The mixed tribal villages feared retribution from Washington if renegades began terrorizing the northern frontier of the 1821 treaty. Cobmoosa knew that Washington fathers took a dim view of any Indian aggression seriously. Non-aggression Indians would get the lion's share of the blame if hostilities broke out no matter what Indian; good or bad was at fault. Cobmoosa sprang to action and quelled the threats in the villages. He countered that Indians couldn't win against Washington - to do otherwise would be futile.
When the villages disbanded at the rapids villages Negake lived at Plainfield Village for a time and one day while out walking he came upon a Federal government surveyor who had accidentally gone across the river. Negake confronted the trespassing surveyor and in a brawl killed him near the 43rd parallel. Tribes within the Grand River valley were enraged and not impressed with Negake's actions and sanctioned him for death under Indian law. Cobmoosa didn't like what he heard about the grizzly murder of the government surveyor. He felt it was a senseless killing that could bring harm to those tribes who were friendly and trying to adopt to the farming ways of settlers.
Two bad Indians, the interlopers from a distant tribe was all that was needed to turn the Grand River running red. The renegades drifted back and forth between tribes spewing their hatred for settlers and constantly trying to spur on the tribes for war, but Cobmoosa and young Wabasis would show up to counter any gains they had made. This infuriated the renegades and the hatred for Wabasis.
One dark night the renegades on ponies began nightly rituals of threatening the homesteaders in the Thornapple and Coldwater River area in the mid 1830's. Mrs. Thomson of Bowne Township got a frightening surprise. A drunken ex-Indian chief named Soh-na-go burst inside her crude cabin. He sat down in her rocking chair drinking some rot-gut firewater.
Nearly out of his head and finding her chair to his liking, he rocked it so hard he threw himself right out and into the fireplace. Horrified Mrs. Thomson made a grab for him to pull him out, but he became belligerent and threatened to stab her with his knife. She fearing for her life grabbed the fireplace axe and threatened to kill him if he advanced towards her.
Sohnago sprang from the fire running past her. He stood in the doorway yelling that within many moons there was going to be a great Indian battle against white settlers - to kill her and drive others from Indian lands. Under the Treaty of 1821 any Indian still residing in the area was an illegal squatter and gave up the right to own land south of the Grand River. He was resisting Washington's directives to leave. Moving south Sohnago in his drunken stupor yelled his battle threats to other settlers, too, and they were afraid.
News of an Indian uprising spread quickly by canoe down the Thornapple River and Grand River to all settlements within the Treaty of 1821 to beware of loudmouth renegade Indians. Just the threats of an Indian attack at Lowell was enough to stop settlers and farmers from proceeding further towards Indian territory until the initial Treaty of 1836 was signed on March 28, 1836.
Still the threats made by renegades was enough for President Andrew Jackson to dispatch a military detachment with 2 cannons in tow into the Michigan wilderness from Detroit. Jackson wanted to make sure no hostilities broke out after the treaty was signed. Settlers needed assurances the government would act to protect them.
Cobmoosa sprang to action and sent runners to Wabasis and both proceeded quickly to council meetings where the renegades were demanding that the tribes go to war. Wabasis would arrive first by canoe while Cobmoosa walked. War drums beat louder each night, the sky ablaze with the bonfire light and towering smoke plumes in the north territory and again Cobmoosa and Wabasis with eloquence quelled the disturbances by renegade Indians.
So who was Sohnago and what was his relationship with Cobmoosa? (continued)
Legends of Chief Cobmoosa & Pres. A.J. - 12
Cobmoosa was a friend to whoever came ashore at the "rapids" village. Didn't matter whether white or red. If someone asked a question this Indian historian could provide in the answer. Cobmoosa and wives were just leaving the old rapids village bound for Chief Kewaycooshcum's permanent village on the north side of the Grand River near the mouth of Flat River.
Cobmoosa was surprised when a white man named Luther Lincoln stepped off his large raft and came onshore in 1831. Cobmoosa, age 54 slowly walked down and welcomed Lincoln with a firm handshake and struck up a friendship. Lincoln arrived several months in advance of the Dexter Party. His rafts carried huge provisions of household goods and livestock. Lincoln asked Cobmoosa if he could help him find his new parcel of land in Grandville and Cobmoosa agreed to lead the way, but he was going by land and Lincoln by water. Cobmoosa had left during the night walking thru the thick brush along the river. Without his wives he could move swiftly.
By all accounts Lincoln was a friend to all Indians. He was wealthy, a man of means and was well respected wherever he wandered. Cobmoosa found Lincoln's property after a swift days walk in Grandville in 1831). They became good friends. Cobmoosa helped clear a spot for Lincoln's cabin. Lincoln was the first pioneer settler.
In a February 1832 letter to his relative living in New York he told them there wasn't any snow nor did the ground freeze and together with his Indian helpers they were able to cut down trees for a crude cabin and barns and till the ground for planting. He referred to the area as a tropical paradise, but that was short lived when winter returned next season. It was brutal that winter.
For hundreds of years Indians from the Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinaw regions each fall migrated south and stayed in villages within a half-mile of the Grand River and Kalamazoo River, because it was so brutal in winter up north. This was their version of going south for the winter and was dubbed a tropical paradise.
Lincoln reported that the wolves growled from the brush by day, but at dusk the livestock were brought inside the crude cabin with him and his Huron and Wyandot Indian farm laborers. The wolves circled the cabin at night then attacked trying to claw, dig or chew their way inside. Lincoln and his farm helpers would shack up together inside and take turns sitting in his crudely made rocking chair, their backs kitty-corner to the fireplace while guarding the door with their long rifles, knives and axes.
This enabled them to see the eyes and teeth of the wolves before they gained entry. Firing any gun inside the small environment was dangerous and scared livestock. It made human ears deaf for days. Grandville, like the rapids village, was always under siege by wolves, cougars and bears. The Indians always had huge bonfires at night to ward off the wilderness pests.
The Grand River watershed was hostile territory. The mosquitoes, deer and blowflys were relentless. No matter how hot and humid it was nobody took a bath for weeks or months from June- August. To do otherwise made man a magnet for biting insects. It was untamed wilderness north of the Grand River and several years later the quietness of night sounds was broken by the sounds of war drums, which seemingly got louder with each rising moon.
Lincoln, too, was a well-educated wealthy man who preferred living with the Indians. He made friends easily, but when more and more white settlers arrived in Grandville, near the village of Chief Astaquet, he and his helpers thought it was getting too crowded so they packed up and left. They scouted for months up the Flat River and after the Treaty of 1836 was signed they purchased a 100 acres of land on the east side of the Flat River a mile north of the Grand River near Chief Kewaycooshcum's village at Lowell.
Chief Kewaycooshcum was murdered by two drunken Indians at the mouth of Coldbrook Creek in late summer 1836. His body taken upriver and buried near the top of Plainfield Village bluffs so his spirit could look across the Grand River to see what he sold to President James Monroe in 1821.
Several years later Lincoln felt crowded and moved to another chosen spot in the vicinity of Cobmoosa's favorite hunting spot. Lincoln Lake in northeastern Kent County was named in honor of Luther Lincoln.
History doesn't record who brought the Small Pox epidemic that killed upwards of 4000 Indians in the Grand River Valley from 1831-37. Under the treaty approximately 17,000 Indians lived. When the Dexter Party came floating down they stopped for several months above Chief Kewaycooshcums village because they feared that disease, too, in 1832. Another outbreak occurred shortly before the Treaty of 1836 was initially signed in Washington. More about that later. (continued)
Cobmoosa was surprised when a white man named Luther Lincoln stepped off his large raft and came onshore in 1831. Cobmoosa, age 54 slowly walked down and welcomed Lincoln with a firm handshake and struck up a friendship. Lincoln arrived several months in advance of the Dexter Party. His rafts carried huge provisions of household goods and livestock. Lincoln asked Cobmoosa if he could help him find his new parcel of land in Grandville and Cobmoosa agreed to lead the way, but he was going by land and Lincoln by water. Cobmoosa had left during the night walking thru the thick brush along the river. Without his wives he could move swiftly.
By all accounts Lincoln was a friend to all Indians. He was wealthy, a man of means and was well respected wherever he wandered. Cobmoosa found Lincoln's property after a swift days walk in Grandville in 1831). They became good friends. Cobmoosa helped clear a spot for Lincoln's cabin. Lincoln was the first pioneer settler.
In a February 1832 letter to his relative living in New York he told them there wasn't any snow nor did the ground freeze and together with his Indian helpers they were able to cut down trees for a crude cabin and barns and till the ground for planting. He referred to the area as a tropical paradise, but that was short lived when winter returned next season. It was brutal that winter.
For hundreds of years Indians from the Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinaw regions each fall migrated south and stayed in villages within a half-mile of the Grand River and Kalamazoo River, because it was so brutal in winter up north. This was their version of going south for the winter and was dubbed a tropical paradise.
Lincoln reported that the wolves growled from the brush by day, but at dusk the livestock were brought inside the crude cabin with him and his Huron and Wyandot Indian farm laborers. The wolves circled the cabin at night then attacked trying to claw, dig or chew their way inside. Lincoln and his farm helpers would shack up together inside and take turns sitting in his crudely made rocking chair, their backs kitty-corner to the fireplace while guarding the door with their long rifles, knives and axes.
This enabled them to see the eyes and teeth of the wolves before they gained entry. Firing any gun inside the small environment was dangerous and scared livestock. It made human ears deaf for days. Grandville, like the rapids village, was always under siege by wolves, cougars and bears. The Indians always had huge bonfires at night to ward off the wilderness pests.
The Grand River watershed was hostile territory. The mosquitoes, deer and blowflys were relentless. No matter how hot and humid it was nobody took a bath for weeks or months from June- August. To do otherwise made man a magnet for biting insects. It was untamed wilderness north of the Grand River and several years later the quietness of night sounds was broken by the sounds of war drums, which seemingly got louder with each rising moon.
Lincoln, too, was a well-educated wealthy man who preferred living with the Indians. He made friends easily, but when more and more white settlers arrived in Grandville, near the village of Chief Astaquet, he and his helpers thought it was getting too crowded so they packed up and left. They scouted for months up the Flat River and after the Treaty of 1836 was signed they purchased a 100 acres of land on the east side of the Flat River a mile north of the Grand River near Chief Kewaycooshcum's village at Lowell.
Chief Kewaycooshcum was murdered by two drunken Indians at the mouth of Coldbrook Creek in late summer 1836. His body taken upriver and buried near the top of Plainfield Village bluffs so his spirit could look across the Grand River to see what he sold to President James Monroe in 1821.
Several years later Lincoln felt crowded and moved to another chosen spot in the vicinity of Cobmoosa's favorite hunting spot. Lincoln Lake in northeastern Kent County was named in honor of Luther Lincoln.
History doesn't record who brought the Small Pox epidemic that killed upwards of 4000 Indians in the Grand River Valley from 1831-37. Under the treaty approximately 17,000 Indians lived. When the Dexter Party came floating down they stopped for several months above Chief Kewaycooshcums village because they feared that disease, too, in 1832. Another outbreak occurred shortly before the Treaty of 1836 was initially signed in Washington. More about that later. (continued)
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