|
|
MICHIGAN AS A PROVINCE 1 - 5
It appears that in these wars of the Ottawas and Chippewas against the Asseguns the latter had as confederates a tribe from the Wisconsin shore called Mas-coutins. This tribe is alluded to occasionally by the missionaries in their relations. It does not appear to have been a very numerous or powerful tribe and is believed to have been only a family of the Kickapoos,
with whom it was in all probability absorbed later on. The Asseguns seem to have disappeared from this peninsula at an early day. Writers on the subject profess to find in the name of Osages, given by the French to a western tribe, sufficient similarity to show that they may have been the same.
The Miamis inhabited the Michigan lake shore region in the vicinity of the St. Joseph river and thence through southern Michigan and northern Ohio to Lake Erie. The bands who dwelt on the shore of Lake Michigan were called Michigamies. Charlevoix expresses the belief that the Miamis and the Illinois were at one time the same, which opinion he derives from the similarity of their language, their customs and their mode of life. These people were for the most part harmless and inoffensive. They cultivated lands and dwelt in villages, never migrating far unless disturbed by invasion, and seldom inclined to go on the war path, except to repel hostilities. They took kindly to the missionaries who came among them. Many embraced the Christian faith and adhered to it with sincerity.
The Pottawatomies were a tribe of somewhat similar characteristics and mode of life who dwelt in southeastern Michigan, as the Miamis dwelt in the southwestern part of the state. The former had their villages along the Detroit river and as far north as the outlet of Lake Huron or beyond.
MICHIGAN
Page 37
|
|
|
|
|
|