and it was in existence fifty-one years. A fort was
built here consisting of two block houses surrounded
by earthworks and palisades, with^an open gateway
to the south, next to the town, and was only in-
tended as a place of retreat in case of trouble with
the Indians. This fort was never occupied, except a
short time by Kobert Maillet, who used one of the
block houses for a dwelling and the other for the
sale of goods. Some years afterward Maillet left
the fort for a more desirable place of residence and
trade, and it remained vacant for many years; the
inelosure within the stockades being used by the citi-
zens in common for a cow-yard.
220 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
In 1820 Hypolite Maillet, in his sworn testimony
before Edward Cole, register of the land-office at
Edwardsville, in relation to French claims, said that
he. was forty-five years old, and born in a stockade
fort which stood near the southern extremity of
Peoria Lake. In the winter of 1788 a party of In-
dians came to Peoria to trade, and, in accordance
with their former practice, took quarters in the fort,
but getting on a drunken spree they burned it down.
In the spring of 1819, when Americans commenced
asettlement here at Peoria, the outlines of the old
French fort were plain to be seen on the high ground
near the lake, and a short distance above the present
site of the Chicago and Rock Island depot. The
line of earthworks could be traced out bv the small
embankments, and in some places pieces of pickets
were found above ground. Back of the fort was the
remains of a blacksmith shop, and near it grew up
a wild plum tree. This plum tree was dug up by
John Brisket, the owner of the land, and under it
was found a vault containing a quantity of old metal,
among which were a number of gun barrels, knives,
tomahawks, copper and brass trinkets, etc. Among
other things found in the vault were pieces of silver
and brass plate for inlaying gun stocks and orna-
menting knife handles. These things appeared to
LA VILLE DE MAILLET. 221
have been the stock-in-trade of a gun-smith, and, for
some cause unknown, buried here."
According to tlie statements of Antoine Des
Champs, Thomas Forsyth, and others, who had kjng
been residents of Peoria previous to its destruction in
1812, w^e infer that the town contained a large popu-
lation. It formed a connecting link between the
settlements on tlie Mississippi and Canada, and be-
ing situated in the midst of an Indian country, ca\ised
it to be a line place for the fur trade. The town was
built along the beach of the lake, and to each house
was attached an outlet for a garden, which extended
back on the prairie. The houses were all constructed
o^ wood, one story high, with porches on two sides,
and located in a garden surrounded with fruit tind
flowers. Some of the dwellings were built of hewed
timbers set upright, and the space between the posts
filled in with stone and mortar, while others were
built of hewed logs notched together after the style
of a pioneer's cabin. The floors were laid with pun-
cheons, and the chimney built with mud and sticks.
When Colonel Clark took possession of Illinois
in 1778 he sent three soldiers, accompanied by two
Frenchmen, in a canoe to Peoria to notify the people
that they were no longer under British rule but citi-
zens of the United States. Among these soldiers
*Ballance'8 history of Peoria.
222 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
was a man named IN^icliolas Smith, a resident of
Bom-bon county, Kentucky, and whose son, Joseph
Smith (Dod Joe), was among the first American set-
tlers of Peoria. Through this channel we have an
account of Peoria as it appeared a century ago, and
it agrees well with other traditional accounts.
Mr. Smith said Peoria at the time of his visit was
a large town, built along the beach of the lake, with
narrow, unpaved streets, and houses constructed of
wood. Back of the town were gardens, stock-yards,
barns, etc., and among these was a wine-press, with
a large cellar or under-ground vault for storing wine.
There was a church with a large wooden cross raised
above the roof, and with gilt lettering over the door. .
There was an unoccupied fort on the bank of the
lake, and close by it a wind-mill for grinding grain.
The town contained six stores or places of trade, all
of which were well filled with goods for the Indian
market. The inhabitants consisted of French, half-
breeds and Indians, not one of whom could under-
stand or speak English.
FRENCH INHABITANTS OF PEORIA.
The inhabitants of Peoria consisted jDrincipally of
French emigrants from Canada, many of whom
were traders, hunters, voyageurs or boatmen. From
that happy faculty of adapting themselves to their
FKENCII INHABITANTS OF PEORIA. 223
situation for wliicli the French ])eople are so remark-
able they lived in harmoTiy witli their savage neigh-
bors for three succeeding generations. Beiug far
away from all other civilized communities they made
friends and associates of the natives, and intermar-
ried with them, consequently their prosperity at the
present time shows strong marks of Indian lineage.
The traders were men of education and energy, but
the masses being illiterate, possessed but little prop-
erty, and less enterprise, enjoying the present with-
out re«:ard to the future. Tliev were a contented,
happy people, never troubling themselves with the
affairs of government, nor indulging in political
strifes, but cheerfully obeying the priests and king's
officer. They lived in a fruitful countrv, which
abounded in game, where the necessaries of life
could be obtained with but little labor, and having
no tax or tribute to pay to the government they be-
came indolent and spent much of their time in idle-
ness.
Those engaged in merchandising turned their at-
tention almost exclusively to the traffic with the
Indians, adapting themselves to their customs and
habits, and many of them seeking alliance in mar-
riage. The boatmen were active and sprightly. AVith
all the vivacity of the French character thev liad but
little of the intem])erance and brutal coarseness usu-
224 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS. . .
ally found among boatmen and marines. Their boats
were small, many of them bark canoes, and with
skill these light crafts were run up swift currents,
while the toil of the oarsmen was enlivened with
songs and demonstrations of mirth. As hunters
they roamed over the wide plains of the west to the
Ptocky Mountains, sharing the hospitality of the na-
tives, abiding with them for a long time, and in some
cases permanently.
The French citizens of Peoria were a quiet, peace-
able people, ignorant and superstitious, and much
influenced by the priests. Having no public schools
but few of them except the priests and merchants
could read or write, but in manners, conversation
and refinement they compared well with educated
people. Out of eighteen claimants for the land
where the city of Peoria now stands all but three
signed their names with a mark, and it is said not a
woman among them could read or write.
Among the inhabitants of Peoria were merchants
or traders who made annual trips to Canada in
canoes, carrying thither pelts and furs, and loaded
back with 2:oods for the Indian market. Thev were
blacksmiths, wagon-makers, carpenters, shoemakers,
etc., and most of the implements used in farming
were of home manufacture. Although isolated from
the civilized world, and surrounded by savages, their
FRENCH COSTUMES AND MANNERS. 225
standard of morality was higli ; theft, robbery or
murder were seldom heard of. They were a gay,
happy people, having many social parties, wune sup-
pers, balls and public festivals. They lived in har-
mony with the Indians, who were their neighbors
and friends, adopting in part their customs, and in
trade with them accumulated most of their wealth.
FRENCH COSTUMES AND MANNERS.
The dress of both men and women was very
plain, made of coarse material, and the style of their
wardrobe was partly European and partly Indian.
The men seldom wore a hat, cap or coat, their heads
being covered with a cotton handkerchief, folded on
the crown like a night-cap or an Arabian turban.
Instead of a coat they wore a loose blanket garment
called capote, with a cap of the same material hang-
ing down at the back of the neck, which could be
drawn over the head as a protection from rain or
cold. The women wore loose dresses, made mostly
of coarse material, their heads covered with a hood
or blanket, and their long hair hanging down their
back like an Indian squaw. But these women were
noted for sprightliness in conversation, with grace
and elegance of manners, and notwithstanding the
plainness of their dress many of them were not lack-
ing in personal charms. •
13
226 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
Although long smce separated from civilized
society they retain much of the refinement and
politeness so common to their race ; and it is a
remarkable fact that the roughest liunter or boats-
man among them could appear in a ball-room or
at a gay party with the ease and grace of a well-
bred gentleman.
The French people at Peoria being isolated from
civilization were free from many of its vices, and
appeared to be perfectly contented with their manner
of living. According to the statements of their nu-
merous descendants they lived a life of alternate toil
and pleasure, with much gayety and innocent amuse-
ments, and were a contented, happy people.
FRENCH LAND CLAIMS.
The French settled at Peoria without a grant or
permission from any government, and the title to
the land was derived from possession only. But
these titles were valid according to usage, as well as
by. a village ordinance, and lands were bought and
sold the same as if patented by government. Each
person had a right to claim any portion of the unoc-
cupied land, and when in possession his title was
regarded perfect, and could be bought and sold the
same as other real estate. Each citizen had a vil-
large lot for a garden attached to his residence, and
FRENCH LAND CLAIMS. 227
if a fanner a portion of tlie common field. On the
prairie west of the town were extensive farms all en-
closed in one field, each person contributing his
share of fencing, and the time of securing the crop
and pasturing the stocks was regulated by a town T)r-
dinance. The boundaries of these farms could be
traced out in the early settlement at Peoria, and a
large tract of land lying between the river and bluff
showed marks of having been cultivated.
When the French settlement commenced at
Peoria the country belonged to France, afterward to
Great Britain, and lastly to the United States, but
these changes did not effect the people in any way.
"When Illinois came under the British rule, in 1765,
Captain Stirling, commanding, at Fort Chartres, sent
messengers to Peoria to notify the people that they
were British subjects. In 1778, when Illinois came
under United States authority, they were again noti-
fied of the change in the government, but they still
remained French in feeling and s^'mpathy. They
claimed no allegiance to any government, acknowl-
edged no law except their own village ordinance,
and paid no tax to any power. While these people
were living in peace and harmony [ns they believed"),
with all the world, being separated nearly two hun-
dred miles from civilization, thev were attacked bv
an armed force, their dwellings burned, and all the
228 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
heads of families carried off prisoners of war, as will
be narrated in ilie succeeding chapter.
In 1820 eighteen persons, heads of families, filed
papers in Edwardsville land office, claiming the land
on which the city of Peoria now stands. The depo-
sitions were taken by the register, Edward Coles,
afterward Governor of Illinois, and all the testimony
relating to their claims is now on file among the
state papers. Coles was a man of an inquiring turn
of mind, fond of antique history, and made a full re-
port of the testimony to the land department. For
many years the claimants prosecuted their case in
the diff'erent courts, and at last succeeded in getting
a large amount of money from the occupants of the
land.
CHAPTER XIX. .
PIERRE DE BEURO, AN INDIAN TRADER.
IN the year 1776 a young Frenchman named
Pierre de Beuro, of Cahokia, came to Peoria, and
for a time clerked in a trading-liouse. Being of an
enterprising turn of mind, and understanding the
Indian language, he concluded to visit chiefs whose
acquaintance he formed while at Peoria. While on
these visits he married a daughter of a noted chief,
who had a village near the mouth of Fox River, and
concluded to establish a trading-post in the midst of,
the Indian country. After getting a promise of pat-
ronage of all the neighboring villages he went to
Cahokia, to make the necessary arrangements to go
into business.
Below the mouth of Bureau Creek is an elevated
piece of land, covered with timber, and known as
Hickory Ridge. This place became a noted land-
mark among the French and Indians, and has been
the scene of a number of traditionary^ incidents. It
also became a place of note in the early settlement
229
230 PIOi^^EERS OF ILLINOIS.
of the country, and during high water a landing for
the Hennepin ferry-boat. Here on this ridge, ele-
vated above the floods of the river, De Beuro built a
double log-cabin, and laid the foundation of a large
fur trade. Being patronized by all the surrounding
village he had a large trade, sending his furs to Ca-
hokia and receiving goods in return. Antoine des
Champs said tliat every spring for a number of years
canoes loaded with furs and buflfalo robes passed
Peoria from this trading-house. The traders at
Peoria became unfriendly toward De Beuro, as he
injured their business, and offered to buy him out,
but he refused to sell to them.
In the spring of 1790 De Beuro, according to cus-
tom, sent three canoes loaded with furs to Cahokia,
in charge of his clerk and two Indians. Tlie trader
accompanied the canoes down the river about twenty
miles to an Indian village, and from here left for
home on foot, but never reached it. Search being
made for the missing trader, his remains were found
s6me days afterward, where he had been murdered
and partly devoured by wolves. Report says a
trader at Peoria, whose descendants are now living
near East St. Louis, employed a half-breed to assas-
sinate De Beuro, and thereby bre^ik up the rival
trading-post. A large number of warriors went to
Peoria and demanded the supposed murderer, threat-
TFICUMSEH AT PEOUIA. 231
eningto burn the town if not given up, but on being
convinced that the murderer had fled thej left for
tlieir homes.
Wlien the clerk learned that De Beuro was dead
he appropriated the proceeds of the furs to his own
account, and his wife put the goods in canoes and
took them to her father's villaire. -
TECX'MSEII AT PEORIA.
Tecumseh after meeting General Harrison in
council at Yincennes, in August, 1810, came west for
the purpose 'of enlisting the different tribes in a war
against the frontier settlements. He made an ex-
tensive tour in the western country, going as far
north as Green Hav, and south throuHi Missouri and
Arkansas, and in the following year traveled among
the Creeks and Chickasaws in the sinithern states.
AVhile traveling through the country he visited
Peoria, and was the guest of Francis Racine, an old
acquaintance of his, who had traded with his band
on the Wabash for many years. Tecumseh was ac-
companied by three chiefs, all dressed in white buck-
skin, with eagle feathers in tlieir head-dress, and
mounted on spirited black ponies. The visitors
made a short stay at Peoria. On learning that the
* A few years ago David ;Milk'r cut the timber off Uickory Ridge, and put
the land under cultivation. Where De Beuro's trading-house stood many
relics of civilization, such as pieces of dishes, glass-ware. etc.. were plowed up
in cultivating the ground.
232 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
French disapproved of tlieir plans, and not wishing
to offend them, they left without having a talk with
the Indians who were encamped near the town. At
Gonio's village the travelers were met by a large
number of warriors, many of whom had come from
neighboring villages to listen to Tecumseh's stirring
eloquence in behalf of his great scheme of uniting
all the tribes of the west and driving the palefaces
out of the country.
Gomo, Black Partridge, Senachwine and Comas
were visited by Tecumseh and his friends, but they
all refused to accede to his plans, preferring to re-
main at peace.
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.
In the summer of 1810 a party of Indians belong-
ing on the Illinois River stole a number of horses
from the settlers, who pursued the thieves for two
days. At night while the settlers were asleep around
a camp-fire the Indians returned and fired on them,
killing three and wounding two others. The author-
ities made a demand on the Indians for these mur-
derers, but no attention was paid to it. In the fol-
lowing summer Governor Edwards sent Captain
Samuel Levering, with a company of men, in a keel-
boat to Peoria with instructions to make a formal
demand of the Indians for a surrender of these mur-
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS. 233
derers. Captjiin Levering and his comrades were
French (some of them half-breeds), understanding
tlie Indian hmguage, and between whom a friendly
relation existed, even in the time of war. On aniv-
ing at Peoria the visitors were cordially received by
both French and Indians, who |)rei)ared a feast for
them, with a ball in the evening. Some of the
guests were fascinated with Indian maidens, two of
whom took wives home with them.
Joseph Trotier, of Cahokia, accompanied by two
half-breeds, ascended the river in a canoe to the
great bend, stopping at all the Indian villages on
their route, and from the chiefs and warriors re-
ceived many pledges of peace and friendship. This
party visited the village of Wappa, on Bureau Creek,
and the head chief, Comas, sent as a present to Gov-
ernor Edwards a large pair of elk horns, also a pair
of dressed bear and panther skins, all of which were
taken with his own hands. Trotier made arrange-
ments with the chiefs and princi])al warriors to meet
in council at Peoria on the following week and hear
the message sent them by the governor read.
At the time appointed the Indians came to Peoria,
heard the gcn-ernor's message read, and a speech
made to them by Captain Levering. The message
and speech was replied to by talks from a number of
chiefs, in which they pledged themselves to use all
234 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
proper means to capture the murderers and deliver
them up to the authorities for punishment. Captain
Levering after performing his mission, with his com-
rades, returned to the settlement, carrying thither
many presents from the chiefs to Governor Edwards,
together with their pledges of friendship and good
will.
Captain Levering while at Peoria delivered a
commission, signed by the governor, to Thomas For-
syth as justice of the peace, also one to John Bap-
tiste Dufond as captain of militia. These commis-
sions bear date August 8, 1811, and both of these
|)apers are now in the hands of descendants of the
parties.
General William Clark, of St. Louis, was general
Indian agent for the western country, but Governor
Edwards acted also as sub-agent within the territory
of Illinois.
INDIAN COUNCIL AT CAHOKIA.
During the winter of 1811 and 1812 the Indians
on the Illinois River heard through a half-breed who
came from the settlement that preparations were
being made to send an army against them in the
spring unless the murderers were given up. On
learning of these facts they became very much
alarmed, and some of the chiefs went to Peoria to
INDIAN COUNCIL AT CAHOKIA. 235
consult witli their friends, and procure their assist-
ance in avertinij: the evil which tlireatened them.
In their behalf Captain Maillet consented to go and
seethe governor, and inform him tliat the murderers
had fled from the countrv and could not be delivered
up, but the Indians proposed to furnish a like num-
ber of young braves to be executed in their stead.
On arriving at Kaskaskia Captain Maillet laid
the case before the governor, who authorized him
to assure the chiefs that the matter of peace or war
depended entirely upon their own acts.
In the following March Governor Edwards sent
Captain Hebert on a mission among these Indians,
requesting them to meet him in council at Cahokia.
Captain Hebert was also instructed to notify all the
traders at Peoria to close their stores, — giving up
all trade with the Indians until this trouble was set-
tled. The traders were informed unless thev com-
plied with the governor's demands they need not
expect any indulgence from the government in case
of war, but they paid no attention to this order.
Captain Hebert collected many of the principal
chiefs and brought them with him to Cahokia, where
the governor by agreement met them in council.
This council was held on the IGtli of April, 1812, in
a little crrove of timber on the bank of Cahokia Creek,
above the town, and a; tended by a large number of
236 PIONEERS OF ILLINOIS.
citizens.* Speeches were made by diiferent chiefs
in reply to the governor's address, and with new
pledges of friendship the Indians were dismissed
with many presenj;s. After this council for a time
confidence between the white and red man appeared
to have been restored, but this was of short dura-
tion. An evil-disposed person circulated false re-
ports about the Indians making preparations for war,
and the settlers were very much alarmed.
In reading the many letters written by Governor
Edwards to the secretary of war a person would be-
lieve that war with the Indians was inevitable, but
the facts in the case do not warrant this conclusion.
During the summer of 1812 forts were built, militia
kept under arms, and the general government called
on for troops to defend the territory. Rumors were
circulated that a large body of Indian warriors were
collected near Peoria, armed, and painted for war,
and it was believed that they intended to descend
the river in canoes to make a raid on the settlement.
* While on a recent visit to Cahokia the place where this council assembled
was pointed out to me by an old man who attended it. Although a boy of
only twelve years of age at that time he recollects the appearance of t^ome of the
chiefs, .and. understanding the Indian language, can repeat parts of their
speeches. Gomo, Senachwine and Black Partridge were the principal orators,
and their eloquence and commanding appearance made a lasting impression
upon his then youthful mind.
In this grove where the council was held is an old burr-oak tree by the
creek bank which mai'ks the spot where a number of incidents occurred in
early times. At the root of this tree, tradition says. Pontiac (or the Indian
who passed for such) was sitting when a drunken Indian came up behind him
and split his head open with his tomahawk.
INDIAN COUNCIL AT CAIIOKIA. 2.*^) 7
To prevent a surprise from tliese savages Captain
Wliitesides, with a company of volunteers, in a heavy
planked gunboat, lay for tliree months above tlie
mouth of the Illinois River to prevent the Indians
from descending it to attack the settlements. While
these preparations for war were continued by the
authorities of the territory the Indians were quietly
pursuing their hunting, making no provision for
either an attack or defense, and when troops marched
against them they were taken by surprise.
From what is now known of these affairs it ap-
pears evident that Governor Edward.s was imposed
upon by unscrupulous men, who made false reports
with regard to the Indians. The governor employed
a man named John Hays to examine into Indian af-
fairs to ascertain the number of bands, the name and
location of villages, w4tli their inhabitants, etc.
These reports made by Hays were false in almost
every particular, and, to make the matter worse, the
governor copied these reports in his letters to the
secretary of war, and therefore became a part of the
state papers. While Governor Edwards was a man
of ability, and made a good executive ofHcer, so far
as relates to his duties as governor of the territory,
yet as an Indian agent he proved himself a failure,
having become the dupe of designing men. I have
talked with many of the French residents of Peoria
238 PIOls^EERS OF ILLINOIS.
and their descendants, also with Indians who were