About one hundred winters since the people left the mountain,—the five families were increased, and made some villages in the country. The Holder of the Heavens was absent from the country, which was destitute of the visits of the Governor of the Universe. The reason produced the occasion that they were invaded by the monsters called Ko-nea-rau-neh-neh, i. e. Flying Heads, which devoured several people of the country. The Flying Heads made invasions in the night; but the people were attentive to escape by leaving their huts and concealing themselves in other huts prepared for that purpose. An instance:—there was an old woman which resided at Onondaga; she was left alone in the hut at evening, while others deserted. She was setting near the fire parching some acorns when the monstrous Head made its appearance at the door: while viewing the woman it was amazed that she eat the coals of fire, by which the monsters were put to flight, and ever since the heads disappeared and were supposed concealed in the earth. After a short time the people were invaded by the monster of the deep: the Lake Serpent traverses the country, which interrupted their intercourse. The five families were compelled to make fortifications throughout their respective towns, in order to secure themselves from the devouring monsters.—The manner making the fort: at first they set fire against several trees as requires to make a fort, and the stone axes are used to rub off the coals, as to burn quicker; when the tree burns down they put fires to it about three paces apart and burns it down in half a day; the logs are collected to a place where they set up round according to the bigness of the fort, and the earth is heaped on both sides. A fort generally has two gates; one for passage, and the other to obtain water. The people had implements which they used to make bow and arrows. The kettle is made of baked clay in which the meat is boiled; the awl and needles are made of hard bone; a pipe for smoking, is made of baked clay, or soft stone; a small turtle shell is used to peal the bark; a small dry stick is used to make a fire, by boring it against the seasoned wood.
Perhaps about 1250 years before Columbus discovered the America, about two hundred and fifty winters since the people left the mountain, the five families became numerous and extended their settlements, as the country had been exposed to the invasion of the monsters that the people could not enjoy but a short space of time without being molested. About this time a powerful tribe of the wilderness, called Otne-yar-heh, i. e. Stonish Giants[4] overrun the country and the warriors were immediately collected from several towns and a severe combat took place, but the warriors were overpowered and the people fell at the mercy of the invaders, and the people were threatened with destruction, and the country was brought to subjection for many winters. As the people have been reduced so often they could not increase. The Stonish Giants were so ravenous that they devoured the people of almost every town in the country; but happily the Holder of the Heavens again visits the people and he observes that the people were in distressed condition on the account of the enemy. With a stratagem he proceeds to banish their invaders, and he changes himself into a Giant, and combines the Stonish Giants, he introduces them to take the lead to destroy the people of the country: but a day’s march they did not reach the fort Onondaga, where they intended to invade, and he ordered them to lay in a deep hollow[5] during the night and they would make attack on the following morning. At a dawn of the day, the Holder of the Heavens ascended upon the heights and he overwhelms them by a mass of rocks, and only one escaped to announce the dreadful fate; and since of the event the Stonish Giants left the country and seeks an asylum in the regions of the north.—The families were now preserved from extinction. The Lake Serpent discovers the powerful operations of the Holder of the Heavens, instantly retreats into the deep places of the lakes. After the banishment of the monster of the deep made its appearance in the country; a snake with the shape of human head opposed the passage between the Onondaga and Go-yo-gouh, now Cayuga, which prevented their intercourse, as the snake had seated near the principle path leads through the settlements of the Five Families. The people were troubled of their condition, and finally they determined to make resistance. They selected the best warriors at Onondaga, and after they were organized and prepared proceeded to the place; after a severe conflict the snake was killed; the lake serpent was often seen by the people, but the thunder bolt destroyed the serpent or compelled them to retire into the deep. About this time they were various nations inhabited the southern countries, these nations descended from the families that were dispersed after the vine broke on Onauweyoka, [Mississippi.] The Holder of the Heavens visited the Five Families and instructed them in the arts of war, and favors them to gain the country beyond their limits, after which he disappeared.
Perhaps 1000 years before Columbus discovered the America. About this time the Five Families become independent nations, and they formed a Council fire in each nation, &c. Unfortunately a war broke out among the Five Nations: during the unhappy differences the Atotarho was the most hostile chief, resided at the fort Onondaga; his head and body was ornamented with black snakes;—his dishes and spoons were made of skulls of the enemy; after a while he requested the people to change his dress, the people immediately drove away the snakes—a mass of wampam were collected and the chief was soon dressed in a large belt of wampam; he became a law giver, and renewed the chain of alliance of the Five Nations and framed their internal government, which took five years in accomplishing it. At Onondaga a tree of peace was planted reached the clouds of Heaven; under the shade of this tree the Senators are invited to sit and deliberate, and smoke the pipe of peace as ratification of their proceedings; a great council fire was kindled under the majestic tree, having four branches, one pointed to the south, west, east, north: the neighboring nations were amazed at the powerful confederates; the Onondaga was considered a heart of the country; numerous belts and strings of wampam were left with the famous chief as record of alliance, &c., after he had accomplished the noble work he was immediately named Atotarho, King of the Five Nations; and was governed by the senate, chosen by the people annually; the successor of the kings to follow the woman’s line. About this time the Te-hoo-nea-nyo-hent, or Senecas was at war with the Squawkihows, a powerful tribe passed the banks of the Genesee river; after various engagements the Senecas sent an army to scourge the enemy, but were repulsed with a severe loss; the melancholy intelligence was soon conveyed to Onondaga and informed the king of their defeat; a powerful army of the allies were soon directed against the Squawkihows; after a long siege the principal fort was surrendered without discretion, and the chief was taken prisoner, put to death, the war terminated, however a remnant of the Squawkihows were allowed to remain in the country and became vassals to the five nations after the conquest. The government ordered the Senecas to settle the country and to build forts on the Genesee river as to keep Squawkihows in subjection, for fearing in time they might create a rebellion. The Senecas now possessed along the bank of the Great Lake, now Ontario, to the creek called Kenaukarent, now Oak Orchard, the bank of the river Onyakarra, now Niagara, possessed by Twakanhah, [Mississaugers.]
In the days the king Atotarho II. about this time the Oyalkquoher, or big bear invaded the territory of the five nations, the hunters were often attacked by these monsters. At the village of Ohiokea, situated west of Oneida creek, a small party went out to hunt and encamped near the lake Skonyatales; one morning while they were in the camp a noise broke out in the lake; a man was sent immediately to see the tumult; he saw a great bear on the bank rolling down stones and logs; the monster appeared to be in a great rage: a lion came out of the lake and suddenly fell upon the bear, a severe contest ensued, in the mean time the bear was beaten and was compelled to leave the bank, the next day the men went in search of the bear, they found the bear; one of the fore legs was so heavy that two men could not lift but a hands high, they procured some of the meat for useful purposes in the time of war. About this time a great musqueto invaded the fort Onondaga; the musqueto was mischievous to the people it flew about the fort with a long stinger, and sucked the blood a number of lives; the warriors made several oppositions to expel the monster, but failed; the country was invaded until the Holder of the Heavens was pleased to visit the people; while he was visiting the king at the fort Onondaga, the musqueto made appearance as usual and flew about the fort, the Holder of the Heavens attacked the monster, it flew so rapidly that he could hardly keep in sight of it, but after a few days’ chase the monster began to fail: he chased on the borders of the great lakes towards the sunsetting, and round the great country: at last he overtook the monster and kill it near the salt lake Onondaga, and the blood became small musquetos.
In the reign the king Atotarho III. About this time the Oneidas had extended their forts down the river Kaunsehwatauyea, or Susquehanna, a fort situated on the river, there was a certain woman delivered a male child uncommon size; when he was twelve years of age he was nearly as large as grown person, and he would beat his playmates which would create disputes, but the mother would correct him, and afterwards she prevailed, he promised never to injure his people; when grown up he became a giant and was a great hunter; the parent was stored with venison continually; he was so strong that when returned from hunting he would have five or six deers and bears strung round on his belt. The giant was named Soh-nou-re-wah, i. e. Big Neck, (now Shawnees) which inhabited the banks of the river and brought several suits of dress and the scalps of whom he had killed. The Sah-wau-noo sends messengers to fort Keu-na-sen-wa-tau-yea as to demonstrate the conduct of Soh-nau-ro-wah, but the business was left upon the relatives Sau-rau-ra-wah, who persuaded him to reform his behaviour for the future: he remained only two winters without making disturbance; he went down the river and whenever he came to a town he committed the same outrages upon the inhabitants, and plundered the people’s clothes, skins, &c. Again the Sau-wa-noo sends a deputy and reported their resentment, but determined to make hostile aggressions if not satisfaction was made on their part. The Chief Ne-nau-re-tah-go sends a belt of Wampum, and offered the terms of peace, which was accepted; but the Sau-rau-roh-wah was not disposed to favor the treaty; he left the fort and went down and located on the bank of Kau-nau-seh-wah-tau-yea river, (said Susquehanna) and commenced to build a fort;[6] he was frequently visited by his relatives; and after the fortification was completed he resolved to continue the war against his enemies; he went from time to time and attacked the people which inhabited on the river as he had done before; he would lay in ambush near the path, and whenever the people are passing he shoots them: he used a plump arrow, which was so violent that it would break the body in two parts: as he became mischievous to the people that the relatives were obliged to form a plan to destroy him; but Sau-rauh-ro-wah was not easily to be quelled, it was supposed that ten warriors were not sufficient to equal his strength. At the fort Kou-na-seh-wa-ta-yea there went three warriors of his natives which bring him favorite diet, a mess of huckle berries, &c.; the Sau-nou-ro-wah was pleased of the visit and the food which was given; but while he was eating it one of the warriors, with a club, concealed under his cloak, instantly stepped on the bench where he was setting, and gave a fatal blow on the monster’s head, he was so distracted that he run out the fort and was intended to cross the river, he sunk in the mire which was near the bank, the warriors prevailed and killed him on the spot: the warriors spoiled his house and obtained a large quantity of skins, &c.; and the fort was ruined ever since.
Perhaps about 800 years before the Columbus discovered the America. About this time the Twakanhahors, (now Mississaugers) ceded the colonies lying between the Kea-nau-hau-sent (Oak-Orchard,) and the river Onyakarta, (Niagara) to the five Nations.
About this time lived the king Atotarho IIII. There was a woman and son resided near the fort, which was situated near a nole, which was named Jenneatowaka, the original seat of the Council fire of the Te-hoo-nea-nyo-hent (Senecas;) the boy one day while amusing in the bush he caught a small serpent called Kaistowanea, with two heads, and brings it to his apartment; the serpent was first placed in a small bark box to tame, which was fed with bird’s flesh, &c. After ten winters the serpent became considerable large and rested on the beams within the hut, and the warrior was obliged to hunt deers and bears to feed the monster; but after awhile the serpent was able to maintain itself on various game; it left the hut and resided on the top of a nole; the serpent frequently visited the lake, and after thirty years it was prodigious size, which in a short time inspired with an evil mind against the people, and in the night the warrior experienced the serpent was brooding some mischief, and was about to destroy the people of the fort; when the warrior was acquainted of the danger he was dismayed and soon moved to other fort; at daylight the serpent descended from the heights with the most tremendous noise of the trees, which were trampled down in such a force that the trees were unrooted, and the serpent immediately surrounded the gate; the people were taken improvidentially and brought to confusion; finding themselves circled by the monstrous serpent, some of them endeavored to pass out at the gate, and others attempted to climb over the serpent, but were unable; the people remained in this situation for several days; the warriors had made oppositions to dispel the monster, but were fruitless, and the people were distressed of their confinement, and found no other method than to rush to pass out at the gate, but the people were devoured, except a young warrior and sister, which detained, and were only left exposed to the monster, and were restrained without hopes of getting released; at length the warrior received advice from a dream, and he adorned his arms with the hairs of his sister, which he succeeded by shooting at the heart, and the serpent was mortally wounded, which hastened to retire from the fort and retreated to the lake in order to gain relief; the serpent dashed on the face of the water furiously in the time of agony; at last it vomited the substance which it had eaten and then sunk to the deep and expired. The people of the fort did not receive any assistance from their neighboring forts as the serpent was too powerful to be resisted. After the fort was demolished the Council fire was removed to other fort called Thau-gwe-took, which was situated west of now, Geneva Lake, erected bulwarks on Mountain Ridge, west of Genesee River.
About this time reigned the King Atotarho V. At the fort Ke-dau-yer-ko-wau, (now Tonewanta plains) a party went to hunt and were attacked by the Ottauwahs, which created differences between the two nations as they entered on no terms but to commence hostilities; the To-hoo-nyo-hent sends a band of warriors to attack some of the hunters as to retaliate the vengeance upon their enemies. The warriors advanced above the lake named Geattahgweah (now Chatauque) and made encampment and agreed to hunt two days, after which to proceed towards the enemies’ country; the warriors went in various directions; a certain warrior passed a small brook, he discovered a strange animal resembling a dog, but could not discover the head; the creature was a greyish color, and was laying asleep exposed to the rays of the sun; and also discovered a den, supposed the place of his residence; the warrior returned to the camp at evening and related the kind of animal, and informed them, as he imagined was a very poisonous animal, and he was afraid to approach it again, but one of the jokers laughed at him and he was called a cowardly fellow; the joker determined to go himself and kill the creature without trouble, but wished some of the warriors to be spectators in the time of the engagement; accordingly the warrior went, accompanied by a number of warriors; he was directed to the spot and discovered the animal. After beating it short time with his club, he seized the animal and tied it with a tumline; but while he was lifting it the creature immediately moved to the den. With all his might, he held the tumline, but he could not stop it, he was compelled to let go the tumline when the creature went beyond his reach; the warrior was confused at not being able to kill the animal; he hastened to retire from the spot, but when a few paces he was taken with the pestilence which was influenced by the creature, and suddenly died; another warrior was at sight and directly fled to carry the intelligence, but also died at a short distance, and the others returned to the camp; but the pestilence soon prevailed among the warriors, and many of them died in the same manner; a few of them escaped by leaving the camp before the plaigue appeared, and thus ended the expedition. The Ottauwahs continued their hostilities and attacked the hunters; the Senecas sent out a small party and fought—drove the enemy off, but their engagements were small and continued many winters.
In the days of king Atotarho VI., perhaps 650 years before the Columbus discovered the America, at the fort Keadanyeekowa or Tontawanta plains, a small party went out to make incursion upon the enemy that may be found within the boundaries of the kingdom. They penetrated the Ohio river and encamped on the bank; as they were out of provision, the warriors were anxious to kill a game; a certain warrior discovered a hollow tree, supposing a bear in the tree, he immediately reported; the warriors were in hopes to obtain the bear—went to the tree; one of them climbed and put a fire in it in order to drive out the creature; the warriors made ready to shoot, but were mistaken, there instantly came out a furious Lizard, and quickly grasped and leaped into the hollow of the tree and the young ones devoured it; a grumbling noise ensued, the warriors were terrified at the monstrous creature and were soon compelled to retire, except one staid at the tree while others fled; he remained until the party was destroyed and the last warrior was chased; the warrior immediately left the tree and ran on the way fortunately met the holder of the Heavens who advised him to stop and offers the aid of making resistance which was accepted; the warrior was instructed to make fire without delay and to get some sticks to use with which to prevent the Lizard flesh from uniting the body as being efficatious, the protector changed into a lion and laid in wait, in a meanwhile the monster came up, a severe engagement took place, the warrior hastened with a stick and began to hook the Lizard’s flesh, when bit off by his defendant and throws it into the fire, by means the monster was quelled. The warrior thanked for the personal preservation. The protector vanished out of his sight. The warrior returned to the fort and related the occurrence. The war raged: the Senecas had sent out parties against the Ottauwahs and obtained various successes; at last the Ottauwahs sued for peace. After a few winters the Senecas gained their mutual intercourse with the Ottauwahs and other neighboring nations. About this time reigned the king Atotarho VII. who authorised by the Senate to send an expedition to explore the countries towards the setting sun, he sends a messengers to acquaint the Ottauwahs of his intention, and wished them to form such arrangements and to favor their passage, which was complied agreeable to his request. The king appointed two captains to command the expedition, about fifteen men were selected from the five nations; after they were equiped and prepared, commenced the journey and arrived at Sandusky; the King of Ottauwah sent two warriors to accompany the expedition; on their way held several conferences with the nations and all seemed to favor their passage. They advanced the Mississippi river; a duke of Twa-kan-ah had collected the people from several towns came out to meet them the people danced around them, singing, beating their little drums; after the ceremonies was performed the band of warriors was invited into the national house. The band crossed the Mississippi and continued their course towards the sunsetting; they reached an extensive meadow; they discovered a curious animal—a winged fish, it flew about the tree; this little active creature moved like a humming bird. They continued the journey and come at the village of the Dog Tail Nation, the band was accommodated, amused with dances, and was conducted to the chief’s house. They were astonished that the people had short tails like apes; a hole was made through their seats where they put their tails. The band continued their direction and came to another nation and too was kindly received, and their object was favorably accepted by the head men of the nation. During their stay, a certain warrior of the band courted a young woman, but the warrior died soon after the marriage. They observed that the people did not eat any meat but drink the soup. The band continued the journey, but before reached the Rocky Mountains, were arrested by a giant; the band was compelled to return; after a long journey came back to the seat and informed the king all the particulars about the journey. After a time the five nations was desirous to preserve the peace and friendship with the western nations; ambassador was sent to the Lentahkeh nation, who inhabited the country east of Ohio River (now in Kentucky); another ambassy was sent, who went and lived among the Ottauwahs for several years; he married a woman and afterwards obtained two children; he was invited to join a company going out a winter’s hunt. They journeyed some distance, and reached their hunting grounds; but the men were so unlucky that they could kill but a few game; after a few days the people were destitute of provisions; the leader of the company commanded the overseer to select two fat persons and to kill them without delay, which was soon executed; the flesh of these victims was distributed among the people. The leader had commanded the people that if any one killed a game the meat should be left with the overseer for distribution, and that who disobeyed, the offender should be punished in a severest manner. The ambassy killed a bear, the meat was disposed to the rules. The leader daily butchered two persons to feed the people, which only increased their distress. The people were so feeble that they were unable to hunt any more, and many of them began to famish.—The ambassy again killed another game and bring it secretly to his camp, but it was soon detected and rumored among the people; at this offence, the ambassy was ordered to appear before their tribunal; some men were angry at him and sought to destroy him, but the leader deemed it unjust, it would violate the treaty they had entered with the five nations; but however, to satisfy the people, the leader consented to use other method to destroy him; he commanded to strip him and to seize his clothes and the instruments; after which to extinguish their fires, and then to remove their camps a half day’s journey distance; the offender would certainly freeze without remedy; but the ambassy was ingenious, finding that he would be surprised, instantly takes a suit of dress and bow and arrows, and hides them under the hemlock boughs which were spread in the camp. In a meanwhile the opponents entered the camp, the ambassy was stripped without discriminate, as they had determined to destroy him. The wife was compelled to leave him, or else she would share the same fate.
The company retired; he dressed himself immediately and proceeded and was in hopes to reach a fort situated near the Lake Erie; but was so fatigued that he could not travel very fast; about sunset he happened to approach on an age of a dark forest; he selected a spot where he encamped, but as he had no kind of food to eat and was quite dejected after making exertions to render himself comfortable, but failed, the weather being unfavorable, as it was cold and cloudy, however he was seldom taken by surprise; having a good understanding about astronomical calculations, ascertained that the storm was at hand; after kindled a fire laid himself down to linger out a miserable existence which he was doomed to suffer. Early in the morning he heard some noise as something was coming, which at once attracted his attention; he was afraid; as presumed that some of his enemy had overtook him; fortunately a young man came up and sat down; the visitor showed a friendly disposition, after a short conversation the ambassy related his distressed condition; the visitor offered to relieve him as soon as possible, which was received with sanguine expectations; the ambassy was advised that a snow would fall so deep that he would be in want of a pair of snow shoes, the visitor offered the pattern and showed him how to make the shoes. The ambassy was directed where to find the game; and did as he was bidden. On the night the young man made another visit and advised the ambassy where to catch bears; after the conversation the visitor disappeared. He succeeded and caught seven bears; after he had prepared some meat and the bears’ oil, immediately went to the encampment in search of his wife and children, found them almost perished; as first gave them each a spoonful of oil and were soon relieved; he directed them to his camp. The ambassy was relieved from distress whilst his enemy was lingering in despair; he examined the camp and was astonished to find that the people were utterly famished; the people became so weak and faint that they were not able to make fire; those who held out had eat the human flesh as long as they could they themselves, and were lying among the dead, the company was now exposed to destruction, as the people had put themselves to disgrace; the ambassy had refused to invite any of them except his wife’s relatives; the disasters were so worn out did not reach the camp until next morning. After a few days by his exertions, the men’s strength was revived, and were capable to hunt. After they had come back to the town the ambassy was so shamefully abused by the people, he was compelled to leave his wife and the country. About this time the Ottawahs became numerous and powerful nation, occupied an extensive country lying between the Lake Erie and the Ohio river, and was supposed their national force amounted about 4000 men.