Poland the indian chief

 

"POLAND" The Indian Chief

It is known that there was a chief among the cooper colored tribes called, Poland, and many have the impression that the town of Poland was named for a chief. This is not so but a brief sketch of his life may prove interesting.

Little is known of him, except that he was a head of several tribes who took an active part in the French and Indian War. Tradition, however, tells us that he was a brave warrior, swift of foot, a dead shot, and an implacable foe to the white man.

He possessed the leading characteristics of his race, treachery and bravery, united perhaps with more than ordinary sagacity; but, not withstanding his bravery he seemed to he afraid of Manchester, the scout the two being personally acquainted through by what circumstances they became so we have no means of knowing. One fact remains certain, that Poland was very unwilling to meet the scout in a personal encounter. Both were stalwart men, both use to hardships; and both skilled in every artifice pertaining to Indian warfare.

One day while hunting in the woods of Falmouth, Manchester and Poland, unexpectedly met face to face. The old scout, ever on the watch and perhaps never quite forgetful of the fact that foes might be lurking near, was not to be taken unawares, and the two brave men stood facing each other with their leveled rifles. The wily Indian quailed before the fierce gaze of Manchester, who was ready and eager for action, and raising his hand begged for a parley.

"Manchester" said the great chief in broken English, "me know you well". You big hunter and big brave. Me big hunter and big brave. You no shoot me, me no shoot you".

Manchester, well knowing the treacherous nature of Poland, merely bowed his head in token of acquiescence and passed quietly on.

When several rods away Manchester stepped behind a tree, at the same time impaling his hat upon his ramrod and holding it out in full sight of the retreating chief. Poland walked on a few paces then suddenly turning sent a bullet straight through the hat, which he supposed must contain the head of its owner.

To the utter dismay of the Indian, who expected to see his most implacable foe struggling to his death agony, Manchester gave a shout of exultation and hastily approaching the would be assassin to within a few feet pointed his rifle straight at his heart, and addressed him as follows, "You vile, contemptible dog of an Indian! Your time has come, you thought to murder me, but I knew you well enough to upset your little game. I am going to do the earth a favor by removing from her face a cowardly brute that has long shown himself unfit to live upon it. Hold up your hands."

Poland threw his empty rifle upon the ground and raising his hands in obedience to the command, stood silent and sullen, not deigning a word in reply. Manchester took deliberate aim and pulled the trigger. The unerring bullet sped on its errand of death. Piercing the heart of the savage, who fell without a struggle or a groan, and Poland the Indian chief, lay dead.

There are other traditions concerning this chief. But as before stated, very little is definitely know regarding his life.

Source:

Taken from the newspaper " The Oracle" April 11, 1900