written by a local resident who prefers to remain anonymous
Voices from the grave have been whispering, moaning, and crying out in St. Ignace since long before its official establishment in 1671. The Native American presence goes back 1000’s of years earlier, and while their history is often murky, what has been uncovered by the inadvertent backhoe, or passed on from generation to generation speaks loudly enough. To this day much of the population of St. Ignace can trace their roots back to the days before European contact, and many a local gardener or construction worker has run across evidence of their ancestors while working beneath the soil. Arrow heads, stone knives, and yes even skeletal remains remind us that we have never been alone.
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans things were not always peaceful. Those whom we refer to today as the Iroquois were hated enemies of the indigenous Chippewa. Competition for Great Lakes dominance often brought them into conflict, and prior to 1665 the Chippewa proved their ultimate superiority in the St. Ignace area. Native oral tradition, supported by subsequent archeological investigations, speaks of ongoing warfare which culminated with a bloody battle at “Nadowekweamishing,” or present day Graham’s Point. This location can be reached by taking South State Street due south until you can drive no further.
Today at Graham’s point one sees a spectacular view of the Mackinac Bridge. Peaceful homes near the City Park at Dock #3 and the Coast Guard Station cover a gruesome past. 300+ years ago on this spot things were markedly different. Imagine the encampment of the Iroquois, the fiercest Native peoples in North America. Soon their ferocity would be transformed into blood, bones, and death. For they proved no match to their Chippewa opponents, who were fighting not only for their mortal lives but also their home.
Consider the home life of Chief Saugeman, the Chippewa warrior who had gained his position by being the fiercest in battle, keenest in hunting, and gentlest with the elders and the young. He was respected by the warriors, feared by his enemies, and beloved by the children of the village. His eldest son, Santigo, who was in line to take his father’s position, met a fate that would break his father’s heart and also raise his ire. In the midst of the harvest season, as Santigo went to the fields to meet his wife, a poison Iroquois arrow entered through the ear canal and pierced his brain, killing him instantly. Most of the women in the fields were also killed, but Santigo’s wife was sent on with a message that all land touched by the big water was now Iroquois territory. At first broken-hearted, the Chief’s sadness turned to rage.
Chief Saugeman called a war party of all able-bodied men near present day Gros Cap. Lifting high the arrow that had slain his son—an arrow easily identified as Iroquois—the Chief in a solemn grave voice named what the tribe had to do next. The warriors were to paint themselves with the art of killing. They were to make ready their weaponry, and sequester their women and children in the sand dunes off the northern shore of Lake Michigan . It was time for revenge.
The Chippewa war party quickly moved parallel to the shore en route to Nadowekweamishing, or Graham’s Point. They passed the high outcropping of limestone rocks still seen off of Point La Barbe Road. They moved like foxes along the marshy coastline below what today is the tranquil golf course, past the site of the Straits State Park , and before sunrise they arrived at the rocky coastline of Graham’s Point. As the sun began to rise the sky turned red. Saugeman knew that the sun’s color was only a foreshadowing of what the day was to bring. As the sun began to peak over the Eastern horizon the Chippewa instantly began their mission.
Chief Saugeman’s aim was to rid the Straits of Mackinac of the Iroquois threat, and in particular to avenge his lost son. The battle began furiously and continued until the sun was high in the sky. Hundreds were lost on both sides, the even the Chief himself was badly wounded. Suddenly the unknown sound of a deafening firearm was heard. One Iroquois warrior stood holding a Dutch firearm, obtained from trade with New Amsterdam (present day New York). He hastily reloaded and in the eerie silence yelled out to Chief Saugeman that he had killed the Chief’s son, and would now kill the Chief himself. The Iroquois warrior took aim, pulled the trigger, and was left standing by a silent weapon that had just misfired. At that point it became clear that the Iroquois position was lost. The warrior was taken prisoner, the others were left to die, and the Iroquois women and children were exiled with two day’s rations.
The fate of the Iroquois warrior was unknown for years. What was known was that the area was believed to be cursed. Several children born in the vicinity, ancient medical records show, were born with hearing impairments. Older people experienced early loss of hearing. In spite of the best medical care of the time no treatment would help, and no cause was discovered. But many locals claimed to know the reason.
In 1958 a local man by the name of Orr Greenlees made a fascinating discovery, perhaps shedding light on the cause of the mystery. While working the land he discovered many native remains with tell-tale tomahawk marks on the skulls. Most had the markings of being scalped. One skull had been filled through the ear with molten lead, about the same amount as found in a Dutch musket ball. He removed the leaden plug and reburied the skull. Since that time there have been no reported problems of hearing impairment with any child in the area. Locals believe the curse is lifted.
Amateur historians believe the skull that was found filled through with molten lead was that of the very same Iroquois who had killed Chief Saugeman’s son. The belief is the Chief ordered the Iroquois warrior who shot his son with the arrow to be brought before him. The Chief ordered a cruel revenge: shot from the Iroquois’ own gun was to be melted down and the lead poured into his ear. One thing is known, lead of the nature found in the skull was used in Dutch firearms of the time.
While in town, please visit our two downtown museums, Fort de Buade and the Museum of Ojibwa Culture. Both museums tell showcase the history of this area.
Chamber of Commerce – (906-643-8717)
