Indian Quarrels (The Death of Tonquish and His Son)

Lancaster Intelligencer and Journal, July 13, 1819

While I would like to take a look at the "Detroit Tribune's" accounting of the murder of Tonquish and son on June 26, 1819 (despite this paper stating the June 4th edition) this is probably as close as I'm going to get from the available online sources.

In this firsthand account by members of Tonquish's Pottawatomie tribe, Wa-o-gan (the brother of Tonquish), Wa-wa-se-cock, Na-o-kay, Wa-wa-a-gaw, Wa-wa-be-nous-quey and Na-o-kee-squoy-be, as interpreted by Col. Godfroy and Capt. Knaggs, the onus for the hostilities seemingly lay upon the younger Tonquish.

While passing Sargeant's house a dog ran out and bit Wa-o-gan. One of the tribe's squaw went to the door haloowing and Sargeant came out with a cudgel in a threatening manner, charged Wa-o-gan and struck him in the neck.

Tonquish, after laying aside his gun and supplies, attempted to intervene but was rebuffed by Wa-o-gan who attempted to make peace and suggested that the party move on. Tonquish's son had other ideas and grabbed Tonquish's gun whereby Sargeant began to flee, fearing for his life. Although the paper cuts off on the spot it's assumed that Sargeant was killed by the younger Tonquish.

It seems that Wa-o-gan suggested they go to Capt. John Macombs camp along the Rouge and explain the situation. Tonquish would not consent to the proposal. As the tribe moved westward Wa-o-gan lagged behind so as to cut off the likely search parties which would ensue. The tribe did agree that should they be caught that they would surrender with the younger Tonquish dissenting from these terms.

They walked on to Pine Creek (not sure where this is & not all that interested at present) where they camped for the night. The next morning after traveling 10 miles they were encountered by "Americans" who tied up the arms of some of the Indians.

Tonquish's party was encountered 150 yards from the scene and Wa-wa-se-cock was fired upon but eluded the bullet. He and Tonquish's son bolted, the latter was fired upon three times with the third shot striking him dead.

Wa-o-gan encouraged the others to surrender. While doing so Tonquish was shot my Capt. Macomb without provocation. Though Macomb might suggest otherwise after his participation in the sack of Fort Dearborn which took the lives of many Americans.

Nonetheless, Wa-o-gan and five other Indians were taken to the homestead of Macomb.

John McDonnell and Thomas Rowland, both esquires, gave the American side of the event as recounted to them by witnesses. In their version the tribe had attempted to rob a man (which Gilbert in her "Tonquish Tales" claims was a common method of securing supplies for Tonquish's sect). Sargeant apparently got involved and was stabbed. Sargeant's mother attempted to thwart the stabbing but was cast aside brutally.

In the ensuing standoff it is said that when encountered by Macomb and his men that Tonquish and son gave the war whoop and fired upon a man in the advanced party. Only when overtaken by the militia did Tonquish and son flee, only to be shot dead.

Surely, the truth is somewhere in between the two as neither Tonquish's people, especially his brother, nor Macomb's men were likely to give an objective retelling that might hurt their perceived innocence in the matter.