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INDIAN REMINISCENCES BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
But the trial was yet to come. When the circuit court met at Hastings Mr. Merriman received a note from Judge Ransom requesting him to call on his boarding place in Hastings. Mr. Merriman did so, and was told by the judge, who had got the facts in the case, that he could go home as soon as he pleased, for, says he, "I shall not allow your case to be called, and that will put a quietus on the whole matter. "
OLD "SHE-MOKE"
An old Indian who belonged to a band who lived south of Gull prairie had become well known to the settlers and had won their friendship by many a kind act. Some of his white friends had given him a new suit of clothes. It was a very amusing sight to see the old fellow, when completely dressed, in a full white man's costume. After scanning himself all over from head to foot he extended his arm, felt of the sleeve, stuck out his foot, felt of his pantaloons, took off his hat, surveyed it, placed in on his head, and, suddenly giving a jump some three feet from the ground, uttered a wild whoop and exclaimed—"She-mo-ko-man!" "Me, She-mo-ko-man!" After that he went by the name of "Old She-moke-"
Mrs. Elihu Mills, being in feeble. health, had expressed a desire for some fish. She-moke having heard it took his spear and started for the "Three
Lakes, " in the south part of Richland. In less than two hours he was at Mr. Elihu Mills' door and presented Mrs. Mills with a large pickerel. He speared it in the day time, no one could tell how, but an Indian could do, many things wonderful to a white man.
Michigan
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