John Tanner: Growing up a Captive, Part I
John Tanner was born in 1780 on the Kentucky River; He was a man who lived as a white boy only nine years, he was captured and spent thirty years among the Indians. He lived as an Indian for so long that he forgot his own name and could no longer speak the English language. John’s mother died when he was two years old, afterwards his father moved to a place called Elk Horn. The settlement was occasionally visited by hostile parties of Shawneese Indians who killed some white p
The Life of Jeremiah Johnston: Part XI
It was Thursday July 21, 1898 when Missionary/newspaper reporter Rodgers left the Sault Rapids on the Kenora at 8:00 AM. He described the morning as dull, but the clouds added to the river scene, one spot remained in his memory especially where the light green crop of grain with a little cottage nearby was perfectly reflected in the still water. At about 2:00 PM they reached the upper end of the Indian Reserve; there he saw Joseph McLeod, a Christina Indian, on the wharf who
The Life of Jeremiah Johnston: Part X
It was Thursday July 20, 1898, described by Missionary Rodgers as a most beautiful morning after a rain. The atmosphere was very clear, and the rippling water of the Rainy River near the Sault Rapids sparkled in the sunlight. Mr. Rodgers enjoyed his morning dip without the mosquitoes devouring him the moment he came out of the water. It again started to rain and lasted most of the day, Mr. Rodgers helped Jeremiah mend his grindstone and while they worked Jeremiah told him a s