Saturday 9 [January 1773], Mr. William Butlar [Butler], by an accident having got part of his goods
wet, was so retarded in his voyage, that we overtook him, though he set out
several days before us. In company with
his canoes, we passed a place where some rude Indians were, who had behaved
insolently to Mr. Butlar. Our canoe-men, understanding the disposition of
Indians, for their safety, made themselves near half drunk, and as they passed
the Indians made such a horrid bustle, that the Indians were afraid to molest
us, as they said afterwards.
I THOUGHT at first this was only an excuse
for excess, but was afterwards convinced that Indians are extremely afraid of
any person intoxicated; for they look on such as mad, and among themselves in
such a condition are always for killing.
Encamped this night near the crossings of this river, and slept safely,
though not without fear. 1
When I read this account, I immediately
thought of another David many years before who, in attempting to flee King
Saul, feigned madness so they he could dwell safely amongst the Philistines (I
Sam. 21:10-15). The idea in pagan
cultures was that those who exhibit clear manifestations of insanity are
controlled by powerful spirits. The ruse
worked here for Jones’ compatriots as well.
[Sunday] 10 Being the Lord's day, but as none is kept
here, moved up as far as a place called Kufkinkis. It is common here to disload some part of the
canoes, and from hence carry the goods on horses to the towns. The land here is level and good, and it is
said that the place takes its name from an old Indian of the same name, who
used to winter here. This river comes
much nearer to some of the towns, but as it is very crooked, it makes the
distance so great, it is judged expedient to disload part here. Near us were encamped some Indians, which
were going to Pickaweeke [Piqua] an
Indian town near to Deer Creek.
Monday 11, Mr. Butlar and Mr. Nailar
concluded from hence to take part of their goods by land, on horses brought
from the towns for that purpose. Being
very desirous of leaving the canoe, as the season was now cold, requested Mr.
Butlar and Mr. Kelly to intercede for me to obtain a horse from the Indian that
was going to Pickaweeke.
I HAVE reason to esteem these gentlemen for
their assistance on this occasion, for with fair speeches and good treatment, a
horse was granted to me; but it is probable a large reward was viewed by the
Indian, for they are very mercenary.
Set out about 11 o'clock, and came that night
to Paint Creek, which is esteemed about fourteen miles; the last part of the
road is near due north. The Indian name
of this creek is Alamoneetheepeeca, the English of which is Paint Creek. This
creek takes its name from some kind of paint that is found in or about it. It
comes from the west, and empties into Siota [Scioto], near where we encamped. The water
is clear and beautiful, demonstrating that it originates from good springs. On
some branches of this creek are situated some chief towns of the Shawannees, to
be described hereafter.
Tuesday 12, having taken breakfast with Mr.
Butlar and Mr. Nailar, set out for Pickaweeke in company with my Indian friend,
whose name is Cutteway, his wife and some others. It may be well thought that my journey was solitary,
for three words of the Shawannee language were not known by me, and as little
English by my fellow-traveller [sic];
so that we could converse none by the way. The day being cold induced us to ride fast, so
that about two o'clock we came to the town. About one mile from the town my Indian friend
cast off, and hid part of his load, and leaving the women behind, made signs
for me to ride on with him. Perhaps the
reason of his conduct was, lest we should be molested by drunken Indians; for
when they are intoxicated, their abuses are not confined to white people, but
they will even rob Indians. Drawing near the town, many thoughts arose about
the event, for to me it was not known that there was one white man in town; but
all anxiety was removed by seeing Mr. Joseph Nicholas, a former acquaintance when
at Fort Pitt. With kindness he received
and entertained me with such refreshments as the situation afforded. While we were refreshing ourselves Mr. John
Irwine came in, and invited me home with him. Mr. Irwine's chief habitation is in a small
town, situated W. N. W. of Pickaweeke about three miles. By the English it is called Blue Jackets Town,
an Indian of that name re-siding there. Before this is described, it is proper to take
notice of Pickaweeke—it is situated south of a brook that, east of the town,
empties into Deer Creek. It takes its
name from a nation of Indians called Picks, some of them being the first
fettlers—the word signifies "the place of the Picks." Now it consists of about one hundred souls,
being a mixture of Shawannees and other nations, so that it is called a
Shawannee town. It is the most
remarkable town for robbers and villains, yet it pretends to have its chief
men, who are indeed very scoundrels guilty of theft and robbery without any
apology or redress. Some of these took four or five mares from Mr. McMechen on
Ohio, nor was there any prospect of redress. Leaving this, went with Mr. Irwine to his
habitation. This town is situated east
of Deer Creek, and north of a large plain.
This creek is clear and beautiful, appearing useful for mills and healthful
for the inhabitants. The buildings here
are logs, their number about twelve. This is a peaceable town, and in it lives
Kishshinottisthee, who is called a king, and is one of the head men of this
nation. The English of his name is Hardman. 2
In our next
post, Lord willing, we will see what happens to Jones as he visits the
Shawnee.
Christ, not man, is King!
Dale
1)
David Jones, A Journal of Two Visits Made to
Some Nations of Indians on the West Side of the River Ohio in the Years 1772
and 1773 (Burlington, NJ: Isaac Collins, 1774), p. 35.
2)
Ibid., p. 35-8.
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