From all accounts it seems that the Indian relics of this valley are not numerous, but I will give you an account of the information I have been successful in obtaining.
Where the town of California is now located was situated at one time an Indian council ground, and it is said that the “pipe of peace” was smoked by “White Wing” and some others on the spot where our Grand Old South Western State Normal School stands.
In July,1897, a party of young men from California went up the river on an exploring expedition. About three miles from Morgantown they discovered the grave of the Chief of the Black Feet: in this grave they found some of his bones, and parts of his skull. In another grave they found some red, and yellow paint.
Across the river from California, just back of the Chamoum Coal Works, may be seen twelve or fourteen Indian graves.
The lot adjoining Mr. Hart’s residence in California was at one time an Indian camp. Last year the above named gentleman found an Indian pipe, and a tomahawk in the well.
A short time ago a thumb-stone [hand-drawn image of thumb-stone here] for grinding paint was found on Mrs. Ratta’s lot on Water Street (California).
In 1897 quite a number of darts [hand-drawn image of a dart here] skinning – knives [hand-drawn image of skinning–knives here], and battle axes was found just “around the bend” from California.
In 1861 there was found on the corner of Second and Union Streets (California) an “Indian Pipi” [hand-drawn image of Pipi here]. Some men were digging a well, and discovered this thirteen feet under ground.
At the present time there is in Uniontown a stone axe that belonged to an Indian; this was found near the “Narrows” by Mr. Fry, (deceased) of Coal Centre. This gentleman was visiting that part of the country several years ago, and as he was walking along one day, his foot encountered something hard; on stooping down to learn what it was, he discovered this axe. It was as perfect as it was when it was in the hands of its owner, for a large amount of clay had collected around it, and protected it.
Many arrows [hand-drawn images of arrow here], bones and darts [hand-drawn image of dart here], have been found at Jackman’s farm near California.
“Brownsville” was an Indian fort at one time.
“Pittsburgh” was the scene of much trouble between the Indian and the white man.
An iron chest [hand-drawn image of iron chest here] was found near Homestead which contained some money and some valuable papers. This chest was buried in the ground by La Fayette for the purpose, it is thought, of hiding it from the Indians.
Redstone Fort and a settlement at the mouth of what is now Decker’s Creek have been the scene of much trouble between the white man and the Indian. Some white men made a settlement on the Monongahela river at the mouth of what is now Decker’s Creek. The next spring it was entirely broken up by a party of Delaware’s and Mingoes, and the greater part of its inhabitants were murdered. One of Decker’s men escaped from the Indians, who destroyed the settlement, and making his way to a fort in Brownsville, called “Redstone”, gave to its commander the melancholy intelligence. The captain dispatched a runner with the information to the captain at Fort Pitt. This man set out with thirty men to intercept the Indians, on their return to their towns.
The expedition failed in its object, but they accidently came on a party of six or seven Mingoes, who had been prowling about the river below Fort Pitt seeking an opportunity of committing depradations. As Captain Gibson passed the point of a
small knoll, he came unexpectedly upon them – some of them lying down; the others were sitting around a fire, making thongs of green hides. “Little Eagle”, a Mingo chief, headed the party. As soon as he discovered Capt. Gibson he raised the war whoop and fired his rifle – the ball passed through Capt. Gibson’s hunting shirt and wounded a soldier just behind him. Gibson sprang forward and, with his sword, severed the head of the “Little Eagle” from his body. Two other Indians were shot, and the rest escaped.