Annals of Fort Mackinac:
Q^ .. 0 ^ \ ''^.'y\ '^m' /\ -.IK'' ^^' 0* ^-^^ ^- ' 1^ .S-* > '^^ o • * ' *G x5 0 » o .. v*^\** "<v*^^/ \^^\/ o • * - *G o vO. ;♦ n-j 0^° ... %''^^\r ^°^*^^''^o-' -y "^-..^'^ ♦ ^^0^ :i^^ ♦ ^0 ^^0^ 1^^^^^^^^ iiiimiiiiiiiiinmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinmitniniitiinmniimm hjtnnalsof^ortHackinac-^ null II mill mill tiiiiiiiiiinnn»mn'H"""""""""""" By Lieut. D. H. K ELTON, U.S. ARMf. Saint Cloud Hotel, MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN. ^f ITU ATE D upon beautifully terraced grounds overlooking the Harbor l^ and Straits of Mackinac. Is complete and Modern in all its appointments and furnished in the Queen -Anne Style. The Saint Cloud Hotel oflTers inducements to Tourists and Pleas- ure-Seekers that are unsurpassed. Its corps of colored servants is the best while its Culinary department is under the charge of a "Chef de Cuisine" engaged at great expense. Its elegant broad verandas, its large, airy, well -ventilated rooms, its Operatic Singers, and its ^^^Ci^s FAMOUS STRING BAND s^^ Vo are attractions by which this Hotel has gained "its world-wide reputation and which no one can disregard in the selection of a home-like stopping place while sojourning on this lovely and romantic Isle. WENDELL & Mcdonald, Managers. 1 Jl*" Annals of Fort Mackinac BY DWIGHT H. KELTON^ LIEUTENANT U.-S, ARMY. ; ■ 26 1.., V CHICAGO: ' FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY 1882. (k^ Entered according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1882, by D. H. KELTON, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. / PREFACE To HELP pass the long, dreary evenings of a Mackinac winter, was compiled the following "Annals": Besides information derived from official sources, in- cluding the records on file in the Fort, the old books of the American Fur- Company, the records of the Village and County of Mackinac, and of the churches of Mackinac and St. Ignace; old documents in the hands of private individuals have been also examined and much matter obtained which it is believed has never before been in print. Most of the old records are in the French lang-uac^e, in the translation of which I have been assisted by Lieut. E. H. Plummer and Sergt. F. J. Grant. With some few exceptions, there are records for the years back to 1712. The are none for the years prior to 1695. At the last moment, much matter of a dry, statistical nature, derived from old records, and originally intended to be incorporated in this book, has been omitted, and matter which it is thought will be more acceptable to the general reader substituted. 4 PREFACE. The Legends of " OssEO," and *' Lover's Leap," are from Schoolcraft's " Hiawatha Legends," nearly all of the substituted matter has, however, been taken from that very valuable work, ** Chicago Antiquities," by Henry H. Hurlbut, Esq., of Chicago, by permission in each instance. D. H. KELTON. Fort Mackinac, Mich., April, 1882. MICH I LI MACKINAC, OSSEO ; THE SON OF THE EVENING STAR. There once lived an Indian in the north, who had ten daughters, all of whom grew up to womanhood. They were noted for their beauty, but especially Oweenee, the youngest, who was very independent in her way of think- ing. She was a great admirer of romantic places, and paid very little attention to the numerous young men who came to her father's lodge for the purpose of seeing her. Her elder sisters were all solicited in marriage from their parents, and one after another went off to dwell in the lodges of their husbands, or mothers-in-law, but she would listen to no proposals of the kind. At last she married an old man called Osseo, who was scarcely able to walk, and was too poor to have things like others. They jeered and laughed at her on all sides, but she seemed to be quite happy, and said to them, "It is my choice, and you will see in the end who has acted the wisest." Soon after, the sisters and their husbands and their parents were all invited to a feast, and as they walked along the path, they could not help pitying their young and handsome sister, who had such an unsuitable mate. Osseo often stopped and gazed upward, but they could perceive nothing in the direction he looked, unless it was the faint glimmering of the even- ing star. They heard him muttering to himself as they 6 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. went along, and one of the elder sisters caught the words, "Sho-wain-ne-me-shin nosa."^ ''Poor old man," said she, "he is talking to his father, what a pity it is that he would not fall and break his neck, that our sister might have a handsome young husband." Presently they passed a large hollow log, lying with one end toward the path. The mo- ment Osseo, who was of the turtle totem, came^to it, he stopped short, uttered a loud and peculiar yell, and then dashing into one end of the log, he came out at the other, a most beautiful young man, and springing back to the road, he led off the party with steps as light as the rein- deer. But on turning round to look for his wife, behold, she had been changed into an old, decrepit woman, who was bent almost double, and walked with a cane. The husband, however, treated her very kindly, as she had done him during the time of his enchantment, and constantly addressed her by the term of ne-ne-moosh-a, or my sweet- heart. When they came to the hunter's lodge with whom they were to feast, they found the feast ready prepared, and as soon as their entertainer had finished his harangue (in which he told them his feasting was in honor of the Evening or Woman's Star), they began to partake of the portion dealt out, according to age and character, to each one. The food was very delicious, and they were all happy but Osseo, who looked at his wife and then gazed upward, as if he was looking into the substance of the sky. Sounds were soon heard, as if from far-off voices in the air, and they became plainer and plainer, till he could clearly distinguish some of the words. "My son — my son," said the voice, *T have seen your afflictions and pity your wants. I come to call you away from a scene that is stained with blood and tears. The * Pity me, my father. THE LEGEND OF OSSEO. 7 earth is full of sorrows. Giants and sorcerers, the enemies of mankind, walk abroad in it, and are scattered through- out its length. Every night they are lifting their voices to the Power of Evil, and every day they make themselves busy in casting evil in the hunter's path. You have long been their victim, but shall be their victim no more. The spell you were under is broken. Your evil genius is over- come. I have cast him down by my superior strength, and it is this strength I now exert for your happiness. Ascend, my son — ascend into the skies, and partake of the feast I have prepared for you in the stars, and bring with you those you love. "The food set before you is enchanted and blessed. Fear not to partake of it. It is endowed with magic power to give immortality to mortals, and to change men to spirits. Your bowls and kettles shall be no longer wood and earth. The one shall become silver, and the other wampum. They shall shine like fire, and glisten like the most beautiful scarlet. Every female shall also change her state and looks, and no longer be doomed to laborious tasks. She shall put on the beauty of the starlight, and become a shining bird of the air, clothed with shining feathers. She shall dance and not work — she shall sing and not cry." "My beams," continued the voice, "shine faintly on your lodge, but they have a power to transform it into the light- ness of the skies, and decorate it with the colors of the clouds. Come, Osseo, my son, and dwell no longer on earth. Think strongly on my words, and look steadfastly at my beams. My power is now at its height. Doubt not — delay not. It is the voice of the Spirit of the stars that calls you away to happiness and celestial rest." The words were intelligible to Osseo, but his companions thought them some far-off sounds of music, or birds singing 8 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. in the woods. Very soon the lodge began to shake and tremble, and they felt it rising into the air. It was too late to run out, for they were already as high as the tops of the trees. Osseo looked around him as the lodge passed through the topmost boughs, and behold! their wooden dishes were changed into shells of a scarlet color, the poles of the lodge to glittering wires of silver, and the bark that covered them into the gorgeous wings of insects. A moment more, and his brothers and sisters, and their parents and friends, were transformed into birds of various plumage. Some were jays, some partridges and pigeons, and others gay singing-birds, who hopped about, displaying their glittering feathers, and singing their song. But Owee- nee still kept her earthly garb, and exhibited all the indi- cations of extreme age. He again cast his eyes in the direction of the clouds, and uttered that peculiar yell, which had given him the victory at the hollow log. In a moment the youth and beauty of his wife returned; her dingy garments assumed the shining appearance of green silk, and her cane was changed into a silver feather. The lodge again shook and trembled, for they were now pass- ing through the uppermost clouds, and they immediately after found themselves in the Evening Star, the residence of Osseo's father. "My son," said the old man, "hang that cage of birds, which you have brought along in your hand, at the door,, and I will inform you why you and your wife have been sent for." Osseo obeyed the directions; and then took his seat in the lodge. "Pity was shown to you," resumed the king of the star, "on account of the contempt of your wife's sister, who laughed at her ill fortune, and ridiculed you while you were under the power of that wicked spirit, whom you overcame at the log. That spirit lives in the next lodge, being a small star you see on the left of mine. THE LEGEND OF OSSEO. 9 and he has always felt envious of my family, because we had greater power than he had, and especially on account of our having had the care committed to us of the temale world. He failed in several attempts to destroy youf brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, but succeeded at last in transforming yourself and your wife into decrepit old per- sons. You must be careful and not let the light of his beams fall on you while you are here, for therein is the power of his enchantment ; a ray of light is the bow and arrows he uses." Osseo lived happy and contented in the parental lodge, and in due time his wife presented him with a son, who grew up rapidly, and was the image of his father. He was very quick and ready in learning everything that was done in his grandfather's dominions, but he wished also to learn the art of hunting, for he had heard that this was a favorite pursuit below. To gratify him, his father made him a bow and arrows, and he then let the birds out of the cage that he might practise in shooting. He soon became expert, and the very first day brought down a bird, but when he went to pick it up, to his amazement, it was a beautiful young woman with the arrow sticking in her breast. It was one of his younger aunts. The moment her blood fell upon the surface of that pure and spotless planet, the charm was dissolved. The boy immediately found himself sink- ing, but was partly upheld, by something like wings, till he passed through the lower clouds, and he then suddenly dropped upon a high, romantic island in a large lake. He was pleased on looking up to see all his aunts and uncles following him in the form of birds, and he soon discovered the silver lodge, with his father and mother, descending with its waving barks looking like so many insects' gilded wings. It rested on the highest cliffs of the island, and here they fixed their residence. They all resumed their lO ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. •natural sJiapcs, but were diminished to the s'.ze Q){ fairies; •as a mark of homage to the King of the Evening Star, they •never failed, on every pleasant evening during the summer season, to join hands and dance upon the top of the rocks. These rocks were quickly observed by the Indians to be covered, in moonlight evenings, with a larger sort of Puk Wudj Ininees, or little men, and were called Mish-in-e- mok-in-ok-ong, or turtle spirits, and the island is named from them to this day. Their shining lodge can be seen in the summer evenings when the moon shines strongly on the pinnacles of the rocks, and the fishermen, who go near those high cliffs at night, have even heard the voices of the happy little dancers. EARLY MICHIGAN The first European Settlement within the limits of the State of Michigan, was by the French. In 1641, Father Charles Raymbault and Isaac Jogues visited Sault de Ste. Marie, and established a mission among the Chippewas. In 1668, Father James Marquette reached the Sault, where he was joined by Father Claudius Dablon. The Settlement of Michigan begins at this period. Under the French and British dominion, the territory was associated with the Canadas, but became part of the territory of Virginia at the close of the war of independ- ence, although it was not formally occupied by the United States until 1796. Virginia had in the meantime ceded to the United States all of her territory northwest of the Ohio River, and Congress, by the historical "Ordinance of 1787," passed July 13th of that year, provided for its gov- ernment as the "Northwest Territory." The first seat of government of the Northwest Territory was at Chillicothe, Ohio. By act of Congress of May 7th, 1800, the territory was divided, preparatory to the, admis- sion of Ohio into the Union as a State, and the "Indiana Territory" was erected, with. the seat of government at Vincennes, Ind. By act of January, 1805, the Territory ot Michigan was set off from the Indiana Territory, the seat of government being established at Detroit. By this act, the southern boundary of Michigan was fixed by a line drawn due east from the southerly bend or extreme ot Lake Michigan until it intersects Lake Erie, and the western 12 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. boundary through Lake Michigan and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States. This included on the south a strip of territory, now forming a part of the State of Ohio, and did not include the northern or Upper Peninsula of the now State of Michigan. In the year 1835, the people of Michigan took steps for forming a State Government. The admission of the State into the Union was delayed until 1837, chiefly in conse- quence of a disagreement in regard to the southern boun- dary; the State of Ohio laying claim to the strip of terri- tory previously referred to, which it was claimed on the other hand was within the Territory of Michigan, and which embraces within its limits the present City o^ Toledo. The dispute at one time threatened an armed collision, and military forces were mustered on both sides, m what is popularly known as the "Toledo war." The difficulty was settled by the act of Congress of June, 1836, fixing the disputed boundary in accordance with the claim of Ohio, but giving to Michigan, instead, the territory known as the Upper Peninsula. The seat of Government remained at Detroit until 1847, when it was removed to Lansing. The land area of the State consists of two natural divisions known as the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and adjacent islands. The Upper Peninsula contains 14,451,456 acres. The Lower Peninsula contains 21,677,184 acres. There are 179 islands included within the boundaries oi the State, varying in area from one acre upward, their total area being 404,730 acres. Bois-Blanc Island contains 21,351 acres. Round Island contains 180 acres. Mackinac Island contains 2,221 acres. EARLY MICHIGAN. 13  Baron de Avangour, - - . - 1 661-1663 M. DE Mesey, 1663-1665 M. DE Courcelles, .... 1665-1672 Count de Frontenac, - - - 167 2- 1682 M. DE LA BaRRE, 1682-1685 m. de nouville, .... 1685-1689 Count de Frontenac, - - . - 1 689-1 698 M. DE Callieres, .... 1 699-1 703 M. DE Vaudreuil, ... - 1703-1725 M. DE Beauharnois, - . . . 1726-1747 M. DE Galissoniere, ... - 1747-1749 M. DE LA JONQUIERE, - - - 1749-1752 M. DU QUESNE, 1752-1755 M. DE Vaudreuil de Cavagnac, - 1 755-1763 under british dominion. James Murray, . _ . . 1 763-1 767. Guy Carleton, - . . . . 1768-1777. Frederick Haldimand, - - - 1 777-1785. Henry Hamilton, - . _ . 1785-1786. Lord Dorchester, - . . - 1786-1796. territorial governors. Northwest Territory. Arthur St. Clair, .... 1796-1800. 14 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Indiana Territory. William Henry Harrison, - - 1800-1805. Michigan Territory. William Hull, .... 1805-18 13. Lewis Cass, 1813-1831. George B. Porter,"*- - - - 1 831-1834. Stevens T. Mason, ex-officio^ - - - 1  846. Alpheus Felch, .... 1 846-1 847. William L. Greenly, t- - - - 1847- 1848. Epaphroditus Ransom, - - - 1 848-1 850. John S. Barry, 1850-1852. Robert McClelland, - - - 185 2-1 853. Andrew PARSONS,t . _ . . 1853-185 5. Kinsley S. Bingham, - - - 185 5-1 859. MbsES WiSNER, 1 859-1 86 T. Austin Blair, 1861-1865. Henry H. Crapo, . . . _ 1865-1869. Henry R Baldwin, - . - 1869-1873. John J. Bagley, 1873-1877. Charles M. Croswell, - - - 1877-1881. George H. Jerome, . . _ . 1 881-1885. * Died while in office, July 6, 1834, and was succeeded by the then Secre- tary of the Territory, Stevens T. Mason, t Lieutenant-Governors actinir as Governor. PUBLIC OFFICERS. IS INDIAN AGENTS. Agents for Mackinac and vicinity: 1816-24 W. H. PuTHUFF. 1857-61 1824-33 George Boyd. 1861-65 1833-41 H. R. Schoolcraft. 1865-69 1841-45 Robert Stuart. 1869 1845-49 Wm. a. Richmond. 1869-71 1849-51 Chas. p. Babcock. 1 87 1 1851-53 Rev. Wm. Sprague. 1871-76 1853-67 Henry C. Gilbert. 1876-82 Andrew M. Fitch.. D. C. Leach. Richard M. Smith.. Wm. H. Brockway. James W. Long. Richard M. Smith. George I. Betts. George W. Lee. MACKINAC -COUNTY CLERKS. The following is a list of the Clerks of the County from its organization in 18 18: 1 81 8-2 1 Thomas Lyon. 1855-58 1822-24 F. Hinchman. 1859-63 1825-46 J. P. King. 1864 1847-52 P. C. Kevan. 1865-82 1S53-54 W. M. Johnston. John Becker. W. M. Johnston. Charles OAIalley. John Biddle. MACKINAC. Wardens or Presidents of _the Borough or Village .of Mackinac, since its incorporation in 18 17: 1817-21 1822 1823 1824-25 1826 1827-30 1831 1832-43 1844 1845 1845 1846 W. H. Puthuff. G. Boyd. W. H. Puthuff. M. Dousman. J. N. Bailey. S. Abbott. E. Biddle. S. Abbott. E. Biddle. S. Abbott. A. Wendell. B. Chapman. 1848 A. Todd. 1849 B. Chapman. 1850-55 A. Todd. 1856 J. P. King. 1 86 1 J. B. CoucHois. 1872 J. Becker. 1873 W. Madison. 1874 Dr. J. R. Bailey. 1875-76 E. C. Gaskill. 1877-81 W. P. Preston. 1882 H. A. N. Todd.. l6 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. POSTMASTERS. Postmasters at Mackinac since the establishment of the Post Office in 1819: The Office was known as MichiHmackinac until 1825, 1819-22 Adam D. Stewart. 1859-61 John Biddle. 1822-25 John tV. Mason. 1861-66 James Lasley. 1825-29 Jonathan N.Bailey.* 1866-67 John Becker. 1829-49 Jonathan P. King. 1867-77 James Lasley. 1849-53 James H. Cook. 1877-80 George C. Ketcham. 1853-59 Jonathan .P. King. 1880 James Lasley. "The first post-office on this side of the Atlantic was established by Gov. Lovelace, at New York, in 1672. "In the month of July, 1683, WiUiam Penn issued an order for the estabUshment of a post-office at Philadelphia. "The first stage between New York and Philadelphia com- menced running in 1756, and occupied three days. "The first stage between Boston and New York commenced the 24th of June, 1772, to run once a fortnight, as a useftil, new, and expensive undertaking. "The first mail-route crossing the Alleghany mountains was opened from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, in 1788; in the year 1789, there were only seventy-five post-offices in the whole country. "In 1794, a route was extended, semi-monthly, to Louisville, and to Vincennes, in 1800. In 18 10, a route was established from Vincennes to Cape Girardeau. There was a direct route, in 1824, ft"om Vandalia to Springfield; David McKee, in the year 1826, on account of the Government, and mainly for the con- venience of that part of the army stationed at Fort Dearborn, engaged to carry despatches and letters, once a month, between Chicago and Fort Wayne; it took two weeks on horseback for the round trip. " * First Postmaster at Chicago. Appointed March 31st, 1831. NATIONAL PARK. 1 7 NATIONAL PARK. — ISLAND OF MACKINAC. On March ii, 1873, Hon. T. W. Ferry, Senator from Michigan, introduced in the Senate, the following: Resolved, That so much of the Island of Mackinac, lying in the Straits of Mackinac, within the County of Mackinac, in the State of Michigan, as is now held by the United States under military reservation or otherwise, (excepting the Fort Mackinac and so much of the present reservation thereof as bounds it to the south of the village of Mackinac, and to the west, north, and east re- spectively by lives drawn north and south, east and west, at a distance from the present fort flag-staff of four hundred yards,) hereby is reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a National public park, or grounds, for health, comfort, and pleasure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people; and all persons who shall locate or settle upon or occupy the same, or any part thereof, except as herein provided, shall be considered trespassers, and removed therefrom. That said public park shall be under the exclusive control of the Secretary of War, whose duty it shall be, as soon as practica- ble, to make and publish such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or proper for the care and management of the same. Such regulations shall provide for the preservation from injury or spoliation of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curi- osities, or wonders within said park, and their retention in their natural condition. The Secretary may, in his discretion, grant leases, for building purposes, of small parcels of ground, at such places in said park as shall require the erection of buildings for the accommodation of visitors, for terms not exceeding ten years; all of the proceeds of said leases, and all other revenues derived from any source connected with said park, to be expended, under his direction, in the management of the same and in the construc- tion of roads and bridle-paths therein. He shall provide against the wanton destruction of game or fish found within said park, 2 l8 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. and against their capture or destruction for any purposes of use or profit. He also shall cause all persons trespassing upon the same after the passage of this act to be removed therefrom, and gener- ally shall be authorized to take all such measures as shall be necessary or proper to fully carry out the objects and purposes of this act. That any part of the park hereby created shall at all times be available for military purposes, either as a parade or drill ground, in time of peace, or for complete occupation in time of war, or whenever war is expected, and may also be used for the erection of any public buildings or works: Provided^ That no person shall ever claim or receive of the United States any damage on account of any future amendment or repeal of this act, or the taking of said park, or any part thereof, for public purposes or use. Senator Ferry did not forget his work or neglect his opportunities, and on March 3, 1875, after a two years' struggle, he finally procured the passage of the Act for the Mackinac National Park. His regard for this spot — his birthplace and boyhood home — led him to advocate his park bill at all times and places, until his fellow-members dubbed it " Ferry's Park." It has since become a great national resort for invalids and pleasure-seekers, and fully justifies his foresight in securing it from monopoly and for the people. His remarks, in 1873, when opposed by Sena- tors Casserly, Hamilton, Saulsbury, and others, were as follows : Mr. President, I ask the indulgence of the Senate to occupy a few moments in stating why I desire this resolution to pass, and to very briefly call attention to some of the considerations which have moved me to take steps toward the attainment of a measure wholly in the interest of the public good. My purpose was to invite action upon this project by the pass- age of a bill of like features at the late session of Congress. The extraordinary pressure of graver matters precluded the possibility of consideration. Notwithstanding the approval of both Military NATIONAL PARK. 19 Committees of that Congress, following the concurrence of the Secretary of War, the rules of the Senate, rigorously enforced, barred what I had good reason to beUeve the ready passage of the bill. Since it could not be reached, and fell, with other measures, by the termination of Congress, I desire now to so far recur to it as to call public attention to the subject, that during the months of recess before us popular judgment and comment may find way to the next Congress in approval or disapproval of what I am persuaded will verily subserve the general welfare. As the bill expresses, its object is to set aside a national park, and dedicate to the public use, all of the public grounds, except the necessary surroundings of the Fort, now held by the Govern- ment, within the Island of Mackinac, as a military reservation or otherwise. If in past years this island was considered as a point of such strategic importance as to warrant its withdrawal from public sale, it certainly can not longer be regarded as so essential to the national safety as to be continued in the sense of an indis- pensible military reservation. Whatever of importance may have attached to salient points along our northern border, as coming within the scope of national guardianship and retention against the possible event of rupture with the British Government, these fears may henceforth be regarded as groundless. War with Great Britain would be American occupation for her Canadian posses- sions. For military purposes, therefore, we no longer need to hold the Island of Mackinac. This fact is practically recognized by the dilapidated condition of the Fort, now left to crumble into decay by the indifference shown by the Government to any ex- penditure looking to the preservation of the military work at that post. Were it otherwise, and the point deemed of any importance in respect to future military necessities, this design does in nowise conflict with any such use of the island which the mihtary exi- gencies of the country might demand. It seeks not to divert from, but to keep it, as now, under the continued control of the War Department of the Government. In the possibilities of the future, the use to which it is proposed to dedicate the island will not prejudice or defeat the utilization of the spot as a base for 20 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. military operations. Then, as now, the Government will have the same access to, and occupation of, its area, for all purposes of public emergency. There can, therefore, be no military objection to the purpose sought. To place this beyond doubt, during the late session I formally invited the attention of the Secretary of War to the provisions of the measure, and asked his consideration and approval of the same, if deemed compatible with the public use and safety. The General of the Army was also conferred with upon the subject. The officer having military charge of the lakes was called upon to express any objection which might occur to him against the adoption of such a measure. Besides, as stated, the Military Committee of the last Senate fully considered the proposition, and now all these may be said to have given their unqualified approval of the measure. I have said this much upon the military aspect of the case, more because of the lact of the reservation being a military one, and held as such, and possibly considered by the public as of some strategic importance. When, in the early years of our lake navigation, the commerce of the lakes passed through the north channel, between Mackinac and Round Island, the fort on Mack- inac Island commanded this commerce. Of later years it has been found that the better one is what is now known as the south channel, through which the great part of the growing commerce •of these lakes passes, and really Mackinac is too distant from the course taken to be of any practical use in a military espionage of this branch of national pursuits. It is a significant historical commentary of this, that Old Mack- inaw, on the mainland of the lower peninsular of Michigan, was where the British first erected their fort, following in the wake of the Indian choice of the like spot as the commanding one of the Straits. The Island of Mackinac was not till 1780 selected as a locality of any importance, and then by the British as a place of security by its isolation from the surprises and incursions of war- like savages. The massacre of the British garrison at Old Mack- inaw, by hostile Indians in 1763, led to the selection of Mackinac Island as the more secluded, and consequently safer, rather than NATIONAL PARK. 21 the most commanding location for the military defence of the Straits. The islaiid falling into our hands by the definitive treaty of peace of 1783, retaken by the British in 181 2, and restored by the treaty of Ghent in 18 14, has, by these successive transitions, historically grown into military fame. The observant and instinc- tive Indian chose better when he established his poiiit d' appui at Old Mackinaw, where the Straits are but four miles wide, and the narrowest point, rather than, as the white man since has done, on an island seven miles distant from the course of commerce. It will hence be noticed that whatever may be the reasons for retaining possession of the Island for Government uses, it can not chiefly be considered as of much military significance to the nation. Of traditional and historical value, it possessess much to endear it to the people, and as one of the earlier landmarks of national boundary and history, it will not easily pass out of annals or recollections. In the estimation of the natives, who made it a point of interest bordering upon veneration, the island was not only of singular beauty, but made sacred to them by legends and traditions from immemorial tribes and races. Its antiquity is worthy of note. As early as the Puritan Land- ing it was trodden by whites, for the French occupied and roamed about it in 1620. At Old Mackinaw, Pere Marquette established his mission in 167 1, and following his death, this mission of peace was transformed into the seat of war. Thousands of Indian war- riors held their councils and dances, and planned their murderous forays at these notable chief quarters. The confederate tribes gathered here to devise ways and means to capture and destroy tribal foes. It was the grand place of meeting and point of departure for trade and war. Here the scalps were brought and counted, the wampum distributed, and the warrior decorated. So near this scene of warlike sway, where whoop and song made nightly orgies more terribly hideous, it was not strange that the superstitious Indian, beholding in the distance an island of much natural beauty and grotesque crest, three hundred feet above the watery surface, naturally clothed its striking features with the 22 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. supernatural, naming it "the island of giant fairies." To this day the Indian looks upon and treads the almost unbroken surface of Mackinac with much of the veneration which inspired his early fathers when they first saw and consecrated to the Great Spirit the favored island. The following are the approved Rules and Regulations for the Park at Mackinac: I. Mackinac Park will be under the immediate control and management of the commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac, who is charged with the duty of preserving order, protecting the public property therein, and enforcing these rules : II. All tenants renting under the Act of Congress providing therefor must conform to, and abide by, such rules and regula- tions as are prescribed for the care of the park, and will be held responsible for a compliance with the same on the part of the members of their families, their agents, and employes. III. The sale of wines and malt or spirituous liquors on the park, without special authority from the commanding- officer of Fort Mackinac, or higher military authority, is prohibited. IV. No person shall put cattle, swine, horses, or other animals on the park, except as follows : The cows belonging to the residents of the Island of Mackinac may be placed in a herd, under the care of a herder, and be per- mitted to graze in such parts of the park as may be designated by the commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac. V. Racing or riding and driving at great speed is prohibited. VI. No person shall indulge in any threatening, abusive, in- sulting, or indecent language in the park. VII. No person shall commit any obscene or indecent act in the park. VIII. No frays, quarrels, or disorders of any kind will be per- mitted in the park. IX. No person shall carry or discharge fire-arms in the park. X. No person shall injure or deface the trees, shrubs, turf, NATIONAL PARK. 23 natural curiosities, or any of the buildings, fences, bridges, or other structures within the park. XI. No person shall injure, deface, or destroy any notices, rules or regulations for the government of the park, posted, or in any other manner permanently fixed, by order or permission of the authorities of the park. XII. No person shall wantonly destroy any game or fish within the park, nor capture nor destroy the same for any pur- poses of use or profit. XIII. Any person who shall violate any of these Rules and Regulations shall be ejected from the park by military authority, and in case the person so offending shall have committed any offence in violation of any of the statutes of the United States or of the State of Michigan the offender shall be proceeded against before the United States or State courts, according to the laws providing for the same. XIV. The commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac may, at any time, add to or modify these Rules, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. When the Park was surveyed, Lots were set apart for building purposes in the following places: on the bluff near ''Robertson's Folly"; on the blufT on the N.-W. side of the island; and on the bluff extending from the old Indian burying-ground along by "Pontiac's Lookout." The latter are the most desirable in many respects. The rent per annum ranges from ten to twenty -five dollars a lot, but as yet none have been taken. Col. Gurdon S. Hubbard, of Chicago, who owns a tract of eighty acres adjacent to 'Tontiac's Lookout," has platted his land so as to correspond with the Park Lots, Streets, etc. "Lover's Leap" and "Devil's Kitchen" are in this tract. THE LEGEND OF "LOVER'S LEAP". Many years ago, there lived a warrior on this Island^ whose name was Wawanosh, He was the chief of an an- cient family of his tribe, who had preserved the line of chieftainship unbroken from a remote time, and he conse- quently cherished a pride of ancestry. To the reputation of birth he added the advantages of a tall and command- ing person, and the dazzling qualities of personal strength, courage, and activity. His bow was noted for its size, and the feats he had performed with it. His counsel was sought as much as his strength was feared, so that he came to be equally regarded as a hunter, a warrior, and a counsellor. He had now passed the meridian of his days, and the term Akkee-waizee, i. e., one who has been long on the earth, was applied to him. Such was Wawanosh, to whom the united voice of the nation awarded the first place in their esteem, and the highest authority in council. But distinction, it seems, is apt to engender haughtiness in the hunter state as well as civilized life. Pride was his ruling passion, and he clung with tenacity to the distinctions which he regarded as an inheritance. Wawanosh had an only daughter, who had now lived to witness the budding of the leaves of the eighteenth spring. Her father was not more celebrated for his deeds of strength than she for her gentle virtues, her slender form, her full beaming hazel eyes, and her dark and flowing hair. Her hand was sought by a young man of humble parent- THE LEGEND OF LOVER'S LEAP. 25 age, who had no other merits to recommend him but such as might arise from a tall and commanding person, a manly step, and an eye beaming with the tropical fires of youth and love. These were sufficient to attract the favorable notice of the daughter, but were by no means satisfactory to the father, who sought an alliance more suitable to the rank and the high pretensions of his family. ** Listen to me, young man," he replied to the trembling hunter, who had sought the interview, "and be attentive to my words. You ask me to bestow upon you my daughter, the chief solace of my age, and my choicest gift from the Master of Life. Others have asked of me this boon, who were as young, as active, and as ardent as yourself Some of these persons have had better claims to become my son-in-law. Have you reflected upon the deeds which have raised me in authority, and made my name known to the enemies of my nation.'* Where is there a chief who is not proud to be considered the friend of Wawanosh.? Where, in all the land, is there a hunter who has excelled Wawa- nosh.^ Where is there a warrior who can boast the taking of an equal number of scalps .!* Besides, have you not heard that my fathers came from the East, bearing the marks of chieftaincy.''" "And what, young man, have you to boast .^ Have you ever met your enemies in the field of battle.-* Have you ever brought home a trophy of victory .-* Have you ever proved your fortitude by suffering protracted pain, endur- ing continued hunger, or sustaining great fatigue.^ Is your name known beyond the humble limits of your native vil- lage.? Go, then, young man, and earn a name for yourself. It is none but the brave that can ever hope to claim an alliance with the house of Wawanosh." The intimidated lover departed, but he resolved to do a deed that should render him worthy of the daughter of 26 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Wawanosh, or die in the attempt. He called together several of his young- companions and equals in years, and imparted to them his design of conducting an expedition against the enemy, and requested their assistance. Sev- eral embraced the proposal immediately; and, before ten suns set, he saw himself at the head of a formidable party of young warriors, all eager, like himself, to distinguish themselves in battle. Each warrior was armed, accord- ing to the custom of the period, with a bow and a quiver of arrows, tipped with flint or jasper. He carried a sack or wallet, provided with a small quantity of parched and pounded corn, mixed with pemmican or maple-sugar. He was furnished with a Puggamaugun, or war-club of hard wood, fastened to a girdle of deerskin, and a stone or copper knife. In addition to this, some carried the ancient sJiemagim, or lance, a smooth pole about a fathom in length, with a javelin of flint firmly tied on with deer's sinews. Thus equipped, and each warrior painted in a manner to suit his fancy, and ornamented with appropriate feathers, they repaired to the spot appointed for the war-dance. A level, grassy plain extended for nearly a mile from the lodge of Wawanosh along the lake shore. Lodges of bark were promiscuously interspersed over this green, and here and there a solitary tall pine. A belt of yellow sand skirted the lake shore in front, and a tall, thick forest formed the background. In the centre of this plain stood a high shattered pine, with a clear space about, renowned as the scene of the war-dance time out of mind. Here the youths assembled, with their tall and graceful leader, distinguished by the feathers of the bald-eagle, which he wore on his head. A bright fire of pine wood blazed upon the green. He led his men several times around this fire, with a measured and solemn chant. Then suddenly halt- ing, the war-whoop was raised, and the dance immediately THE LEGEND OF LOVER'S LEAP. 2/ began. An old man, sitting at the head of the ring, beat time upon the drum, while several of the elder warriors shook their rattles, and "ever and anon" made the woods re-echo with their yells. Thus they continued the dance for two successive days and nights. 