THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Destruction of the Fox Indians in 1730
Steward, John F. in: Transactions of the Illinois State
Historical Society, 1902, Publ. No. 7 of
the Illinois State Historical
Library, pp. 148-154.
DESTRUCTION OF THE FOX INDIANS IN 1730
BY THE FRENCH AND THEIR ALLIES.
(By John F. Steward.)
As a descent of family names suggests family traditions, so fragments of history may be gleaned from the nomenclature of a region.
In Kendall county, Ill., are two small streams that unite and, within a fraction of a mile, enter the Fox river. The Little Rock creek and Big Rock creek. Why so called, and when so named? Tradition is silent. They are characterized by no rock larger than the boulders in their channels. The early French explorers tell us that in no other equal area was game found so abundant in both variety and quantity. Far greater than elsewhere in numbers, were the buffalo. so abundant were the herds that this beautiful river, heading in and near Pistakee lake, bore the Algonquin name Pestekouy. The lake speaks, as the river once did, the name of the erstwhile pride of our western prairies. We read of the river in Tonti's memoirs. LaSalle and members of his party explored it, and Charlevoix speaks of the richness of the country bordering on it, and the abundance of game. So well did LaSalle become acquainted with this region, that in 1683, upon his return to Canada, he gave to Franquelin the information which enabled him to make his maps of 1684 and 1687. On those maps, along the course of the Pestekouy, are many villages, among which is the "great village of Maramek" (Maramech). Several years of research have convinced me that O'Callaghan, Tailhan and all others have been mistaken in placing the "great village of Maramech" on the Kalamazoo river of Michigan; no town or evidences of great population are there shown on any of the 20 early maps before me. The "Maramech" and "Maramec" of Franquelin's maps of 1684 and 1687 respectively, was the center of the Miami population, and the metropolis; there were the Peanguichias, the Kilaticas, Pepikokias, Weas and others, (all Miamis) while he shows no town or tribe on his Marame and Marameg, now the Kalamazoo.
In 1672 Allouez met the "Machkoutench, Marameg, Kikaboua, Illinoue, Pepikoukia, Kilitika" and others, all later mapped in the so-called "Colonie du Sr. de LaSalle." He says (Relations of 1672), "they were deeper in the woods [from the Mission of St. Francis Xavier], but he errs by saying they were to the "westward" for they were, in fact, on the "Pestekouy River," which heads within a few leagues of the site of his Mission at Green Bay. They were not the Maramegs north of Lake Superior, nor were they people of the river "Maramac" of Michigan, for they were in the very midst of the tribes he mentions, where LaSalle found them. They were of the "great village of Maramek," referred to in the reports of 1695, (N. Y. Col. Docts. vol. 9, p. 621-624) where we read, "Sieur Perrot presented a robe on the part of the Pepicoquis, who also are Miamis of Maramek."
When Perrot was sent by the Governor of New France to ally the western tribes against the Iroquois, he visited the Miamis of Maramech. Among the deputies from these tribes, who met in council with the French, were Micitonga and Nanangonsiata, chiefs of the "great village of Maramek." That it was probably a metropolis is evidenced by the fact that for more than two miles along the river, from beautiful Sylvan spring to the great mounds of Galena limestone, an acre in extent, that rise 35 feet above the water's level, where frowns the "old mill," are evidences of occupation. The plow has turned the soil so many times that the potsherds, never too well burned, have almost disappeared. The overflows have obliterated the mounds where 27 years ago, when began my discoveries, my spade laid bare the bones of ancient dwellers of Maramech. Along the river burnt stones have shown where were the domestic and council fires.
'Neath the sod of the hill that slopes to the sun, lie the later occupants of the great village. In the graves, trinkets of European origin have been found, and in the valley the plow has aided the archaeologists for many years, and bushels of implements tell of long occupation. With time and change the name of the village became modified and on the map of Coronelli (1688)
(page 149) Map of the Area. (illeg. copy)
(page 150) it is given as Maramea, and on that of Sautteri (1710) Maraux. When the buffalo last grazed upon the five prairies that neighbor there is not definitely known, nor when the river lost the name first given, and why. On French maps a score of years later we find the stream well laid down, and the name "Riviere du Rocher" (River of the Rock). It is in fact a river characterized by a rock which is bathed by it, and which has material sufficient to build a village. On maps published late in the Eighteenth century, we find no more the French name but instead Fox river.
About 1640 among the Algonquin tribes, near Lake St. John, in Canada, was one that is known in recent history, as the Foxes. As the shield of Christian Great Britain bears the lion, Christian Russia has its bear, and the seal of the United States of Christian civilization, the eagle, so, upon the shields of this savage tribe, was found its totem, a fox. Hence they were called Watagamies by the other tribes (that word being the Algonquin word for Fox), Renards by the French, and, later, Foxes by the English. A turbulent people they were, from start to finish of their history. So marked was their belligerence, that they were made to flee to the west, with a nation kindred by marriages, by language and by habits, the Sacs. In their westward wanderings the Sacs (Sauks) left the name to the great bay of Lake Huron, Saukenong.
We hear of the Foxes but little until the time of the arrival of Father Allouez, probably for the reason that Chouart and Radisson, Nicolet and other clandestine traders, dared not make records regarding the people they met. When the legitimate traders came, the Jesuits followed, and the leisure and vain-glory of the latter, permitted and prompted them to write volumes regarding their great discoveries and accomplishments in the missionary field. They told of the visits to the Renards, on Green Bay and along the Wisconsin river, where were Hurons, Sacs and other tribes that had been driven westward by the Iroquois. Belligerent though some were, they lived in comparative harmony, the "one touch of nature" being that of defence against the Iroquois. As early as 1664 a portion of the Foxes were known as the Musquakees, that is, people of the red earth. Why this, we are not told; but along the borders of Green Bay are bluffs known as the "Red Banks." Earth works there are still visible. One of the traditions of the bay tells us that these Foxes fortified themselves there and were there besieged: canoes filled with warriors approached the shore, and upon the highlands the enemy infested the fort. Days of hunger passed; at last a spirit appeared in the distracted imagination of a young warrior, and bade him take courage. During the profound sleep of the over-confident besiegers the Foxes escaped. The Watagamies (the Foxes proper) and they became so closely associated that no distinction has been made by other writers than LaPotherie. Perrot was one of the first explorers to win the esteem of the western tribes, and the Foxes, in time of trouble, pleaded with him for aid, as with a father. With him to the council at Montreal in 1670 this nation sent deputies, where the western tribes were urged to join the French against the Iroquois.
The Foxes, more than any other tribe, vacillated between the French and the English, in disposing of their peltries, which gave the French much trouble. By the year 1700, French traders of Canada began to descend the Mississippi and those of Louisiana to pass up the Illinois and Kankakee rivers, thus reaching Lake Michigan by the way of a portage into the St. Joseph river and from the Des Plaines to the lake, at Chicago, or took the Wisconsin route. These portages were absolutely under the control of the Foxes, and, like civilized nations of today, they required toll for the right to pass through their territory. This angered the French to such an extend that their destruction was decided upon, for it was thought that in no other way could communication between Louisiana and Canada be kept open. To this end, it seems, when in 1712 various western tribes were asked by the commandant at Detroit to settle near the fort, the first bloody step was taken. The Foxes came, they claimed, by invitation. Du Buisson, the commandant, sent runners to bring in various friendly tribes, and, without sufficient justification, the latter were permitted to make war on the little band of Foxes. A siege of many days followed. The Foxes threw up earth works, but soon (page 151) found that all efforts must necessarily end in defeat; they asked to hold a council, but all overtures were refused. On a stormy night they escaped and reached a peninsula that thrust itself into Lake St. Clair; there they were soon discovered and forced to surrender at discretion. Their captors in revenge, and often in mere sport, shot them down.
In 1716 Des Lignerie, commandant at Mackinaw, moved against the Foxes located on the Wisconsin river and, at the Buttes des Mortes, wrought whole-sale slaughter. In 1728, he again moved against them, but they had received warning and had fled. Their fields of corn were destroyed and their villages burned. So far as this, my story has been told in part by the early writers, who also inform us that in 1730, somewhere not far from "The Roc," the last attempt to destroy this tribe was made. Where the final defeat took place, heretofore has been unknown. Parkman, in his "Half Century of Conflict," says," The accounts of the affair are obsure and not trustworthy," and Ferland in his "Histoire du Canada" says that it was near the Rock on the Illinois river. The only reason that they have fore saying that it was on or near the Illinois river is that the official reports speak of "The Rock," and refer to the tribe of "Illinois of the Rock." Where they met defeat is, in fact, 30 miles from LaSalle's "Tock," a distance as naught in a country so vast.
From my boyhood days I wandered over the beautiful island-like hill, whereon hangs my tale. Often I sat in the shade of the great trees upon the south end of this hill, and looked over the valley of the river and the two creeks between which the hill so snugly lies. I often wondered why the so-called "Mound Builders" who left heaps of earth along the high bluffs of the river, had not chosen this place for burials. Again casting my eyes over the surface, as I had done many times before, I noticed a semicircular ditch which , with the southern brow of the hill, completed the circle, containing something over two acres of land. Evidently this had been a palisaded defence. Where one part of the ditch reached the brow of the hill, it passed downward and I plainly saw that there had been a covered way to the little creek which, at that time, bathed the foot of the hill, but which, by the hand of man, has been give another course to turn the wheels of industry. The river is a warm stream; the waters of the creek are spring-born, and hence cool in summer. Along the river, that within my memory was so rich in fish and game, ran a trail, and where it crossed the cool stream, I reasoned there must have been a village.
At the margin of a newly plowed field, where a little gully had been cut by recent rains, I found evidences that some dusky Rebecca of Maramech had broken her water-jug. From this beginning, sprang a desire to investigate, and ever since that time my thirst for archaeological knowledge has led me into a long course of investigations. Here, within a stonethrow of the site of "the great village of Maramech," discovered at the same time, on this beautiful hill the Fox nation met what may practically be considered extinction.
Between the years 1720 and 1730 the political relations of the Sacs and Foxes had become somewhat strained. Not that the Sacs loved the Foxes less, but more the privileges of trade with the French. The move against the Foxes in 1728 made such an impression upon the minds of the other savage nations that they persisted in their alliance with the French, and in the war against the Foxes. Some time just previous to 1730 a party of 200 surprised 20 lodges of Foxes, and massacred 80 men and 300 women and children. Later, the principal chief passed to the river St. Joseph and begged the commandant for mercy. The commandant at Mackinaw advised the Governor that the allies begged him to put himself at their head in order to fall upon the Foxes, which he did with 600 savages and 20 Frenchmen. The Governor wrote to all of the commandants to accept no proposition from the Foxes without further orders from him, for he had resolved to keep the allies with him until the Foxes were destroyed, or had fully submitted.
Such was the pressure brought upon this fragment of the once numerous Fox nation, by the French and their allies, that they were driven to seek protection with their erstwhile enemies, the Iroquois, who for so many years had (page 152) been the terror of all the western tribes. The half friendly Wea branch of the Miamis at this time was on the Wabash. There the Foxes hoped to reach an asylum and rest for a time. The most direct route was by the way of the Kishwaukee trail, which took them southeastwardly, one of the many that led to Maramech. Deeply worn, it was apparent long years after the white settler had turned the sod. Between 200 and 300 warriors, with an unusual proportion of women and children, plodded, snail-like, over this highway.
Two years before, Father Guignas, taken prisoner by the Kickapoos and Mascoutins, made such a favorable impression upon his captors as not only to win his freedom and that of his companions, but an alliance between these tribes and the French. To keep the good will of the French, it was necessary for these tribes to turn against the Foxes, on whom, during the weary retreat, they made a running fight, until nearing the fording place of the river that now bears their name, the latter were forced to make a stand. One hundred and eleven shelters were formed by them, by leveling little places and upon them erecting protections for temporary use.
The Kickapoos and Mascoutins gave warning to Saint Ange, commandant at Fort Chartres, to the commandant at Green Bay and to De Villiers, commandant at the River St. Joseph. Early in the summer of 1730, two Mascoutins, arriving at the River St. Joseph, informed De Villiers that there was fighting between the "Rock" and the Weas, and that other tribes had joined the Illinois and fallen upon the Foxes, who found themselves hemmed in, but that the Illinois, at the moment of victory, had fled. Some of the attacking party and many Foxes were killed. The French at Kaskaskia taunted the Illinois warriors, by saying they were women, and did not know how to fight; that as for themselves, they would take their negroes (slaves) and with them defeat the Foxes. Saint Ange had heard that the Foxes were upon a wooded island in temporary shelters, and believed that if they remained there they would be defeated, for De Villiers was expected from the River St. Joseph. The Foxes gave out that they were expecting a large party of Iroquois to offer them refuge. They had fled from their homes in Wisconsin, down the Kishwaukee trail, beyond the ancient site of Maramech, but had been driven back thither, and there built their fort. Saint Ange left Fort Chartres in July, 1730, and when joined by the Illinois, who had first shown weakness, found his command to number 500 men, Kickapoos, Mascoutins and "Illinois of the Rock" (a remnant of the Illinois tribe that had previously been driven form the Illinois river by the Foxes). These nations had taken positions to prevent further progress of the Foxes. Thus threatened, the latter fortified themselves a league from the "Rock." On the 12th of August, Saint Ange's scouts discovered the whereabouts of the Foxes. "On the 17th, 40 hunters were encountered and driven into their fort, which was a little bunch of wood, enclosed with palisades, situated upon a slope, which rose gently in the direction of the west and northwest from a little river."
Standing within this enclosure, and looking south over the brow of the hill and its rifle pits, "the river of the Rock," as known in 1730, is but a quarter of a mile away. To the east, bordering the amphitheatre that rises gradually to the west and northwest, is the Big Creek of the Rock, the "little river" mentioned in the early accounts.
Come with me when, as then, the nuts are ripe on Maramech hill. The haze of Indian summer blends the prairies in all directions into the horizon. About two miles, nearly an old French land league (2 4-10 miles), immediately under the noonday's sun, is the "rock" upon the river. Upon either bank is seen great prairies that extend to the southeast and to the southwest. To the north of us is the prairie that leads far into Wisconsin. To the east of the Big Creek of the Rock is only a prairie, and between Blackberry creek and the river, further to the east, is another.
Warned of the approaching armies by smoke during the day and signal fires at night, the Foxes, foreseeing the necessity for vigorous defense, had constructed upon the southern extremity of the hill a palisaded work. The warriors busied themselves at the chase in their efforts to supply provisions, while the women and the old men were busy with the hatchet and improvised digging tools in raising the fort, which they hoped would prove their safety, (page 153) but which became, in fact, a trap. Within the stockade were a thousand women and children, half starved. The high point at the north end served the Foxes as a watch tower. Looking over and beyond the site of ancient Maramech, northward, upon the prairies, are the watchmen scanning the horizon for signals of De Noyelle's approach. Along the ridge that forms the summit are warriors commanding the slopes to the southeast, and at the same time to the northwest. Saint Ange was approaching from the southwest, under cover of the woods, along the river, and De Villiers was coming from the west(?). De Noyelles was marching over the well worn and later known "Great Rock(?) trail" from Detroit. Saint Ange, encountering some of the hunters, drove them before him. Scouts hastened after. They cautiously approached the river, and looking to the west and northwest, up the gentle slope, they discovered the temporary shelters later deserted by the Foxes. The hunters that fled before Saint Ange told of his nearness, and warned all to the stockade. For two days the advancing army marched under cover of the woods, upon(?) the eastern bank of the river. Saint Ange crossed the river at the "Rock," and took his position upon the east side of the large Creek of the Rock. At Saint Ange's approach, the Kickapoos and Mascoutins, who had long been awaiting his coming, joined their forces with his, and the siege began. Upon the first day two unsuccessful attempts to escape were made by the Foxes. "A trench was opened on the following night, and each worked to fortify himself at the post assigned him. The enemy asked to parley. They offered to give up prisoners, and returned several, in fact, but as it seemed to Saint Ange that they were only attempting to gain time, he renewed the attack."
A few days later, 50 Frenchmen and 500 savages, commanded by DeVilliers, arrived. He crossed the river of the Rock, passed around to the north of the hill, crossed the Big creek of the Rock, planted his "cavalier" (a little fort protecting other forts) across the valley to the west, a rifle shot from the blockade, to protect his rifle pits, the scars of which still remain. To protect the southern semi-circle of the fort, formed by the brow of the hill, the Foxes made rifle pits by leveling away the ground and, it seems, there placing logs. The warriors, thus protected, stood ready to cast upon whomsoever might approach, a shower of arrows and missels of war. The muzle-loading flint-lock(?) rifle was too slow for such work; it was possible for a warrior to keep(?) two arrows in the air at once.
It was but the task of a moment, in the darkness, for the braves of Saint-Ange to cross the Big creek of the Rock, and, protected by its bank, of a man's height, command the slope of the hill, no part of which was beyond rifle shot. Where the second growth timber stands, that now covers the slope, was then an open wood. A rush on the part of DeVilliers up the bluff at(?) the north, in the darkness, enabled him to drive the warriors form the west into the stockade, and to being his trenches.
The Foxes begged for mercy, which tempted DeVilliers, but the Illinois would consent to no terms. The Sacs, however, were only half-hearted and attempted to aid the Foxes by furnishing ammunition and helping them to escape. This discovered, the other savages threatened vengeance upon the Sacs, but Saint Ange advanced with 100 Frenchmen and restored order. DeNoyelle soon arrived with ten Frenchmen and 200 Indian from the Miamis. He brought positive orders that there should be no compromise and all joined for the total destruction of the Foxes. Hunger reigned on both sides. The allies were reduced to eating their raw-hide shields. Two hundred Illinois deserted, September 7. The Foxes were pressed harder every day. Saint-Ange completed a small fort two pistol shot away, which was intended to cut off communication with the water, but it proved of no value, for the Foxes had found subterranean means for getting a supply. Certain starvation became apparent, and it seemed that time must, in the end win the victory. A parley was asked, but the French and allies feared treachery, and would accept no terms.
On the 8th of September a violent storm arose, and a dark cold night followed. The watchfulness on the part of the allies was relaxed, and the Foxes escaped. The cry of a child coupled with the information received (page 154) from a Sac woman, gave notice of the escape. Upon the approach of day the savages most fresh followed. The women, children and old men had been placed in the van of the retreating column, and the warriors took positions in the rear, to cover the retreat. Suddenly their ranks were broken, and they were defeated. The number of dead and prisoners was about 100(?) warriors and 1,000 women and children.
The accounts of this affair have been buried in the archives of France. Ferland (Cours de Histoire du Canada) unearthed a document from which I received my first information of the affair. Since that time I have acquired six documents through the kindness of Prof. Chas. M. Andrist, who undertook the search for me. From these I compile my story.
My purpose now is but to record my discoveries of the true ancient site of the "great village of Maramech," and the locality of the old fort. This stood upon the hill which rises gently tot the west and northwest from the larger creek of the Rock, and which, at the south, is washed by the lesser creek of the Rock. The covered way, up which water was brought, a mere ditch at the time of my discovery, has since washed into a wide gully. Upon the western side of the hill a gravel-spit has within a few years, been carried across the swamp and the long lost battlefield can now be reached dry shod. At the time of the tragedy, the unbroken swamp, which bounded it on the north and west, found an outlet into the two creeks, which fact warranted the statement in one of the military reports that it was practically an island. At the middle of the old enclosure a boulder not rises seven feet, and upon it is this inscription:
"Three hundred warriors, with women and children, were besieged here by thirteen hundred French and allies, August 17th, 1730; escaped Sept. 9th. Captured-Tortured-Killed. French trenches on north end of hill. "The Rock" spoken of by Ferland (Histoire du Canada), two miles south is partly quarried away. The Maramech of Franquelin's map of 1684, was near. Site identified and stone placed by John F. Steward, 1874-1900."
The old fort is now the property of School district No. 9, town of Little Rock, Kendall county. My purpose in purchasing and donating the lot(?) of land to the school, because of its historical interest, was to provide that after Time palsied my hand and bids my tongue be still, it may never be desecrated by the plow or sold for taxes.
To the south a short league is "The Rock." To the north lie the remains of some who doubtless were of the besieging party. Where lie the besieged, we shall not know. The spring floods of the river and creeks, have covered and in turn laid bare their bones, and the elements have wasted all. Peaceful site of Maramech! Charming in they vernal verdure, rich in the ripeness of the year, erstwhile home of the children of the wilderness and place of one of the greatest tragedies of the west, now the romantic region sought by pleasure seekers, by the weary, and by lovers, when my heart ceases to perform its physical functions, then shall my love for thy beauties cease, and not till then.
___
IN MEMORIAM.
MARY NASH STUART.
But one death has occurred in the membership of the Illinois State Historical society since the date of its last annual meeting. In the fullness of years, Mrs. John T. Stuart, an honorary member of this society, after a long, honored, and useful life, passed away to everlasting rest.
Mary Virginia Nash, the only child of Francis Nash and Judith Bland, was born in Prince Edward county, Va., on the 25th day of August, 1816. Her parents were both natives of Virginia and resided on a plantation a short distance from Prince Edward courthouse, at that time one of the centers of culture and refinement of the old Dominion; and their home was marked by the social enjoyments and generous hospitality characteristic of Virginia planters early in the last century.
N.B.: (?) = illegible on copy available for this web page.
Return to
TOC, p. 9
Continue
to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami Collection
Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 6
November 2000
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of
Indiana University