Native American's Napoleon: Little Turtle of the Miami Indians

Native American's Napoleon: Little Turtle of the Miami Indians

    The early history of the Miami Indians is veiled in tradition and obscurity and little is known concerning its chiefs or head men prior to July 3, 1748.  On that date a treaty of peace and friendship was concluded at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, between commissioners appointed by the English colonial authorities and the chiefs of the several tribes in the interior.  In that treaty the name of A-gue-nack-gue appears as "principal chief of the Miamis," and it is said that he then lived at Turtle Village, a few miles northeast of the present city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Two other chiefs from Wabash country also signed the treaty, which lasted until after the Government of the United States was established.

    This chief Augenackgue married a Mohican woman, according to the Indian custom, and one of their sons wa Me-she-ke-no-quah, or Little Turtle, who became the chief leader of the Miami Nation upon the death of his father.  Little Turtle was born at Turtle Village about 1747 and at the time he succeeded to the chieftainship, his tribe was regarded as the leading one in all the great West.

    Little Turtle was not lacking in any of the essential qualifications of a great chief.  He has been described as "short in stature, well built, with symmetrical form, prominent forehead, heavy eyebrows, keen, black eyes and a large chin."  From his mother he inherited many of the finer qualities of the Mohicans.  Agile and athletic, his physical ability was not to be questioned for a moment.  As a youth his influence was made manifest on more than one occasion, even the older warriors listening with respect when he resented his views in council.  After he became chief, not only of his own tribe, but also other tribes of the Miami confederacy, he was acknowledged by all as their great leader and they followed him without the slightest jealousy or envy.  Wise in council, he was equally brave in battle.  No military academy taught him in the art of war, yet in the management of an army he showed the skill and strategy of a Napoleon.  His prowess as a commander is seen in the masterly manner in which he handled his warriors in the defeat of General St. Clari, November 4, 1791.  Not until he met Gen. Anthony Wayne, whom he designated as "the man who never sleeps" did the chief Little Turtle acknowledge defeat.

    As a statesman, Little Turtle was a conspicuous figure in the negotiations of the several treaties with the United States.  Having once affixed his signature to a treaty, his honor would not permit him to violate any of its provisions, and in this way he won the confidence and esteem of all the whites, though he incurred the displeasure of many of his tribe, who referred to him as "an Indian with a white man's heart."  Gen. George Washington, while President of the United States, resented him with a medal and a handsome sword as tokens of regard.  His last years were spent at Little Turtle Village.  A few months before his death, afflicted with gout, he went to Fort Wayne to consult a surgeon and died at his abode in the "Old Orchard," not far from the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Mary's rivers on July 14, 1812.


    Brice in his "History of Fort Wayne" says of Little Turtle

    "His body was borne to the grave with the highest honors by his great enemy, the white man.  The muffled drum, the solemn march, the funeral salute, announced that a great soldier had fallen, and that even his enemies paid tribute to his memory."

    Deposited in the grave with him were the sword and medal presented to him by Washington, together with the Indian ornaments and implements of war, according to the custom of his tribe.  A monument was afterward erected over his last resting place, and it has been said of him "He never offered nor received a bribe."  
Robert M. Waddell, History of northeast Indiana: LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1920, Noble County,

Birthplace of the Famous Miami Chief Little Turtle

    Little Turtle was born in 1752 was located on the north tributary of Eel river, twenty miles northwest of Fort Wayne, Whitley County, Indiana, on lands now owned by William Anderson, in Section 9, Smith Township. This north tributary is known today as the Blue river branch near its junction at the Blue River Lake, to which it furnishes an outlet only a short distance away. The village stood on the west side of the river on a high, sandy point of land, surrounded An Indian trail led from this village northwest to the Elkhart river; another, southeast to the Miami villages, at the head of the Maumee (now Fort Wayne) ; a third, southwest down Eel river and the Wabash, and still another almost due west to Tippecanoe Lake and the Kankakee river. Blue River Lake is only a short distance and in plain view to the southeast. No doubt Little Turtle as a child and youth spent many happy hours about this enchanted spot. On this account the reader will pardon us if we make a slight digression.

     
." Blue River Lake lies two miles northwest of Cherubusco, and is in Sections 9, 10, 15 and 16, Smith Township of Whitley County. Indiana. It is oblong in shape, narrow at the eastern end, is about one and one-quarter miles long by one-half mile in average width. It has an area of about 420 to 500 acres, and a very uniform depth of 40 to 60 feet. The area of shallow water  of medium width, rather broad on the east, south and west sides, and narrower on the north. The shores at most points are rather abrupt, the surrounding country being of a rolling type. Blue river heads in Green township, Noble county, from a chain of small lakes that range across the north side of the township, including Sand. Long. Dock and Bowen Lakes. It finally empties into Blue River Lake for a few rods only on the .west end, and then takes a southwest course by Columbia City, and a few miles below empties into Eel river. This lake thus receives its waters from the upper Blue river and from springs along its sides and bottom. It is well stocked with food fishes.

                                           57 gruesome stories of Indian capture and torture

    

Discovering Miami Indian Chief, Little Turtle's Grave in Ft. Wayne, Indiana

  We herewith give the account of the finding of the grave as related by Mr. J. M. Stouder, of whom we will have more to say later. The date of the discovery will hereafter be of interest to the citizens of Fort Wayne and Allen County, and indeed, to all persons interested in the early settlement of the Northwest Territory. The Lockner brothers soon found a number of Indian skeletons in digging out the cellar, which was, no doubt, the last burying ground of the Miamis at Fort Wayne. Noticing that whatever was in the graves was appropriated by the laborers, the contractors called off the crew, and with the assistance of Dr. George Gillie proceeded to finish the cellar and to dig the drain for the same. In this cellar drain the grave of Little Turtle was found. The tinders had no idea of the identity of the body. About the neck of the chief was found the string of silver beads and crosses, and in the few remaining tufts of hair on the back of the skull was the string of white shell beads. The hair was also tied with a buckskin thong, and from the description given by the Lockner brothers, was well preserved. The vermilion plaits were beneath the Chieftain's knees, the silver armlets on his arms, and the anklets and the famous sword, guns and remnants of the pistols were at his side. The various other implements had been placed in different parts of the grave and had probably become disarranged in the digging of the drain. On the breast were the silver disks believed to be medals. They were fastened together by means of a buckskin thong and are shown in the collection just as they were found. About a month later Mr. J. M. Stouder had occasion to visit the house of Albert Lockner and asked to see the Indian relics that he knew he had in his possession as he always was interested in such discoveries. He was immediately struck by the apparent wealth and the importance of the find and began an investigation as to the identity of the remains of the person in the grave. Early in his research work he became convinced that Albert and Charles Lockner and Dr. Gillie had discovered the grave of Little Turtle. He says that he was greatly indebted to Miss Eliza Rudisell, Mr. Howard Hanthorn and Mr. Charles Warden for the assistance they gave him in identifying the grave of the greatest chief of his time. The articles taken from the grave are: Eight silver bracelets; two silver anklets; one heavy metal bracelet; three silver medals : four silver brooches ; one pair of silver earrings ; six pendants ; one string of silver beads ; twenty-three silver crosses each one inch long; one sword, which we are certain is that presented to the Chief by General George Washington ; one string of white silver beads; four metal buttons; one small pocket knife; one large clasp knife of very odd design; one drinking cup; one metal spoon ; one pair of shears; one hammer; one gun barrel, from which rotten portions of the stock fell when it was lifted from the grave ; one pair of bullet molds ; one flint lock; the remains of a pistol; three large knives; one pair of steel spurs ; one ax ; one tomahawk ; and copper kettle con taining, when found, beans and corn, which went to a fine powder when exposed to the air. We are satisfied that the grave of no ordinary Indian would have contained this costly and various displays of riches, and that this is undoubtedly an accidental and genuine find of the remains of Little Turtle. W. D. Schiefer, of the Schiefer Shoe Store, says that while he resided on the old Barnett place in 1875 a man named Hedges, who had been present at the burial of Little Turtle, had pointed out to him the exact location of the grave, as well as he could remember, without any suggestions from anyone. Although he had not been in the locality since Spy Run had been laid out, Mr. Schiefer located the spot within one hundred feet of the place where the grave was uncovered. The standing of Mr. J. M. Stouder, a hardware dealer at 122 East Columbia St., Fort Wayne, IND., who identified the grave and its remains, preserved the relics and marked the spot at his own expense for all time, is high. Too much credit cannot be given this man. In justice to historical facts relating to the find and identity of this long-lost grave, it is said, 

"That Mr. The studio is an almost lifelong citizen of Fort Wayne, that he is regarded by his fellow townsmen as a straightforward, upright, enterprising citizen. He is a member of high standing in the Free Mason Lodge, highly esteemed by all who know him." This discovery is regarded as genuine by the people of Fort Wayne and vicinity, as well as by all scientific and historical experts, who have seen fit to investigate this most remarkable and important discovery, historically considered, of recent times.

57 gruesome stories of Indian capture and torture

Little Turtle -The Native Americans Greatest General

Little Turtle -The Native Americans Greatest General

ME-CHE-CUN-NA-QUAH, OK LITTLE TURTLE. 

was the son of Aque-nac-que, the great war chief of the Twightwees [Miamis] 
at the beginning of the eighteenth century, who was also the principal of the 
three Deputies who represented the Twightwee nation at the Treaty of Lancaster. 
Penn., on the 23d day of July, 1748. His mother was of the tribe of the 
Mohegans, and is reputed as having been a superior woman, transmitting many 
of her best qualities to her son. Aquenaeque was of the Turtle branch of the 
Miamis, and lived i„ the Turtle Village on Eel River, some sixteen miles north- 
west of Fort Wayne. 

At this village Little Turtle was born, about the year 1747, and was the 
senior of his sister Algomaqua, wife of Capt. Holmes, by less than two years. He 
became chief at an early age.- not on account of any right by inheritance, because 
the condition of the offspring follows the mother, and not the father, and his 
mother not standing in the line of descent from hereditary chiefs, the child stood 
in the same category, but because of his extraordinary talents and adapted- 
ness for the position, which were noticeable from early boyhood. Upon the death 
of his father, therefore, he became the principal chief of the Miamis, by selec- 
tion. His first eminent services were those of a warrior, in which he distin- 
guished himself above all competitors. His courage and sagacity, in the estima- 
tion of his countrymen, were proverbial, and his example inspired others to 
unwonted achievements in. council and the field. Neighboring consanguineous 
tribes, in their operations against the whites, drew courage from his presence, andachieved successes under his leadership. He was in himself a host on the battle- 
field, and his counsel always commanded respect. 

At the time of St. Clair's expedition against the Wabash Indians, Little 
Turtle was the acknowledged leader, directing the movement of his people, 
which resulted in the defeat of the former, as he had previously done in the 
several actions in the campaign of Gen. Harmar. In comparison with Gen. St. 
Clair, as director of forces at Fort Recovery, his exhibitions of skill and tact inthe management of the assault upon the white troops, were those of the more 
expert tactician. His loss in that engagement was light, while that of Gen. St. 
Clair was heavy. 

" Again, he commanded a body of Indians in November, 1792, who made 
a violent attack on a detachment of Kentucky volunteers under Maj. Adair, under 
the walls of Fort St. Clair, near Eaton, Ohio, but the savages were repulsed with 
loss. He was also at the action of Fort Recovery, in June, 1704. The campaign 
of Gen. Wayne, in August of the same year, proved too successful for the Turtle 
and superior to the combined force. Prior to the battle of Fort Miami, two miles 
below Maumee City, a council was held, when Little Turtle showed his sagacity 
and prudence by refusing to attack the forces of Gen. Wayne." 

Having satisfied himself of the impracticability of further opposition to the 
whites, Little Turtle lent his influence toward the maintenance of peace, and, in 
part consideration for his services in this respect, the American Government 
erected for him, at bis village on Eel River, a comfortable house in which to live. 
■'His habits were those of the whites, and he had black servants to attend to his 
household wants and duties. He was true to the interests of his race, and 
deplored their habits of drunkenness. In 1S02 or 1S03, he went before the Leg- 
islature of Kentucky, and, through his interpreter, made an appeal in person for 
a law preventing the sale of ardent spirits to the Indians. The like mission he 
performed before the Legislature of Ohio, but without success. He described the 
Indian traders to life, viz.: ' They stripped the poor Indian of skins, guns, 
blankets, everything, while his squaws and children, dependent upon him, lay 
starving and shivering in his wigwam.' 

" He was the first to introduce among his savage tribes the practice of vacci- 
nation for 'preventing the small-pox. and did much to prevent human sacrifice." 

From the first appearance of Tecumseh and the Prophet, in their attitude of 
manipulators of opinions directed toward the formation of an Indian confederacy, 
he opposed their movements, and in consequence, through his influence, little was 
accomplished in that direction among his people and others for a long time. 

In a communication dated at Fort Wayne, January 25, 1812, bearing his 
own signature, addressed to Gov. Harrison, be expressed himself as anxious to do 
all in his power to preserve peaceful relations between the white and red people. 
He was destined, however, to take no part in the pending conflict. " He came 
to this city, in 1812, from his residence, to procure medical aid, and was under 
the treatment of the United States Surgeon, and in the family of his brother-in- 
law, Capt. Wells, at the Old Orchard— or rather was cared for by Capt. W.'s family 
at his own tent, a few rods distant, preferring it to the more civilized mode of 
living ' in doors.' His disease was the gout, of which he died in the open air, at 
the place (Old Orchard), above described, July 14, 1812, having the universal 
respect of all who knew him. The Commandant of the fort at that time. Capt. Ray, 
the friend of Little Turtle, buried the remains of the chief with the honors of 
war. A writer says: ' His body was borne to the grave with the highest honors 
by his great enemy, the white man. The muffled drum, the solemn march, the 
funeral salute, announced that a great soldier had fallen, and even enemies paid 
the mournful tribute lo his memory.' " 

To the left of the black square marks the site of Little Turtles Grave. The grave was found while constructing houses in the neighborhood.  His skeletal remains were identified by the sword that was presented to him by George Washington. His bones 

were discarded, his grave goods stolen and the sword is now in the Allen County 

History Center.

The place of his burial is near the center of the " Old Orchard," and his Indian 
ornaments and accouterments of war, a sword presented to him by Gen. Washington 
and a medal with Gen. W.'s likeness thereon, were buried with him. Some years 
ago, Cocsse, a nephew and real chief, since dead, came to Fort Wayne and pro- 
nounced a funeral oration over the remains of his uncle, full of eloquent pathos, 
which was listened to by many of the old citizens of that period. 

A distinguishing trait in the character of this celebrated chief, says Mr. 
Dawson, " was his ardent desire to be informed of all that relates to our institu- 
tions ; and he seems to possess a mind capable of understanding and valuing the 
advantages of civilized life, in a degree far superior to any other Indian of his 
time.