I will now go back and notice the Grand Rapids Indians in the
last days of their settlements.
As early as 1780 we find two flourishing Indian villages located on
the western bank of the Grand River, about midway of the rapids. They were
about a quarter of a mile apart, and were under the government of two separate
chiefs and councils; although the one was, to a small degree, subordinate
to the other.
The larger of these contained about seven hundred inhabitants of the
Ottawa and Chippewa natives, and was governed by the far-sighted and cunning
Kewaykushquom, a chief of considerable renown; while the smaller did not
contain more than five hundred souls, mostly Ottawas, and recognized Noonday
as their chief.
At this time, all the land east of the Grand River, or the Owoshtenong,
was owned by the Ottawas; and that west of the river was the joint property
of that nation and the Chippewas.
The habits and customs of these savages differed in no essential point
from those in other sections. They were industrious, honest and peaceful
tribes, enjoying the advantages of the fur trade, and indulging all the
curious customs characteristic of their race. The American Fur Company
had, at this time, established a trading post about two miles below the
present town of Lowell, on the Grand River, where agent, Mrs. La Framboie,
exchanged the products of civilization for pelts.
It will surprise the reader to learn that a woman was the first pioneer
of civilization who ever set foot upon the pleasant valley of Grand River;
but such, indeed, is the truth. She was a French lady of more than ordinary
force of character, a shrewd trader and a bold adventurer. Her life at
this outpost is filled with thrilling incidents, many of which are enlivened
by a vein of romance.
Although the American Fur Company constantly kept a supply of goods
at this point, the Indians would often go to Detroit to trade, not so much,
however, with a view of securing larger prices for their peltries, or to
purchasing necessaries at a smaller cost, as to obtain a supply of fire-water,
which could not be had at a nearer point. As the time for the "annual pow-wow"
approached, a journey to Detroit was considered necessary, for the purpose
of laying in a supply of rum for the occasion.
Mrs. La Framboie remained at this post until superceded by Rix Robinson,
in 1821. She had been a successful agent for the company, but her advanced
age and the growing interest of the fur trade demanded her removal. Remnants
of the old store-house in which she transacted business with the savages
still remain. There is a part of the chimney yet standing, and marks of
the excavation in which the canoes were hid may be seen nearby. These are
the oldest relics of pioneer life in Kent County.
TO BE CONTINUED