Chapter IX: Iroquois

1. SENECAS.

One of the Five Iroquois Nations in Western New York, comprising, originally, the Sinnekaas, as the Dutch called them, (hence the word Senecas,) Onondagas, Mohawks, Cayugas, and Oneidas. When first known to the French, were living on the south side of Lake Ontario, and engaged in a fierce war with their Algonkin neighbors. By conquest several other tribes became incorporated with them. Missions were established among them by the French as early as 1657. In 1763 the Senecas alone, of the Six Nations, joined in Pontiac's league to extirpate the English. During the Revolution sided with the English, but made a peace in 1784, and during the second war remained loyal. Early in the century part of the tribe settled in Ohio, afterwards removing to the Indian Territory, where they now are to the number of 240. The New York Senecas still occupy the Alleghany, Cattaraugus, and Tonawanda reserve of 66,000 acres, where they all live in good houses and have large, well-cultivated farms, and are in every way a civilized and well-regulated class of people.

1048. DYAR-YO-NAAe-DAR-GA-DAH. _One who Carries Hemlock Boughs on his
Back._

English name, Caster Redeye. Was born on the Alleghany reservation;
belongs to the traditionary Bear clan. Is now President of the New
York Senecas. Does not speak English, but is an eloquent speaker in
his native tongue. Has been a councillor three terms. Is a farmer
and lumberman, and has also been a pilot for several years on the
Alleghany River. Caster is a grandson of Governor Blacksnake, the
famous chief of the Senecas, who died in 1859 at the age of 120
years. Age, 46; height, 5.9; head, 22-1/2; chest, 43.

1045. DAR-GAR-SWEN-GAR-ANT. _Dropping the Stock of the Gun._

Commonly known as Harrison Halftown; belongs to the Snipe clan. Was
born on the Alleghauy reservation. Is the clerk of the nation, which
position he has held for the last eight years. Was well educated at
a Quaker school adjoining the reservation, and speaks English
fluently. Is a fine speaker, and is quite noted as an orator. Age,
47; height, 5.8; head, 23-1/4; chest, 42.

1046. HOH-HO-I-YO. _Splendid Doer._

Samuel Jimson, as he is ordinarily known, is one of a family of
thirty-one children, and was born on the Alleghany reservation in
1837. Is a descendant of Mary Jimson, a white captive among the
Senecas, whose descendants now number 111. Is a farmer, but also a
fine orator, and of more than ordinary ability. Has been a
councillor for eleven terms in succession. Height, 6.1; head, 23;
chest, 43.

1047. JOHN IRVING.

President of the peacemakers' court. Is a grandson of Governor
Blacksnake. Age, 50; height, 5.9-1/2; head, 22; chest, 44.

979. MYRON SILVERHEELS.

980. GROUPS COMPRISING 1045-46-47.

715. A DAUGHTER OF GENERAL PARKER.

Copy from an old daguerreotype.

2. WYANDOTS.

The Wyandots, or Hurons, a western Iroquois tribe, lived originally on the shores of Lake Huron, where they raised tobacco to such an extent that they were called Petem, or Tobacco Indians. Were driven west to Wisconsin and to the shores of Lake Superior, and by the Sioux back again to the neighborhood of Detroit, where they remained up to the close of the wars between the United States and England. In 1832 ceded all their lands in Ohio to the Government, and 687 were removed to Kansas, where they have since resided, at the junction of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. In 1855 many became citizens, and had their lands divided among them, the others being removed to the Indian Territory, where they now are, numbering 258 souls. Some of the Wyandots remained near Detroit, and by treaty with the English government were assigned a reservation on the Detroit River of 23,600 acres, where they yet remain, but have declined within the present century from 200 to 72. Their hereditary king remained with the Canadian band.

_List of illustrations._

981. MATHEW MUDEATER.

Head chief of the Wyandots, and a delegate in 1875 to Washington,
with power to settle all complications between his tribe and the
Government growing out of sundry treaties. Was born in 1813, in
Canada.

982. NICHOLAS COTTER.

A councillor in his tribe, and delegate to Washington with Mudeater,
1875. Was born in Canada in 1822.