This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... DEDICATION To those heroic souls, who, plunging into the wilderness at a demote period, paved the way for civilisation; yet in many instances did their w"ork without reward, and now lie in obscure graves, this volume is lovingly dedicated. FOREWORD. A tall, crooked pine tree overhanging a high bluff, served to designate what was probably the most important Indian village in the north, prior to the advent of the white man. "Wau-go-nawki-sa"--the Crooked Tree--could be seen for many miles by the occupants of approaching canoes. After rounding the northwestern extremity of what is now Emmet county, in the state of Michigan, on their way south, it was a familiar sight, and one that never failed to bring exultations of joy from the brave and daring Ottawas. Just where the Crooked Tree stood we have been unable to ascertain; but tradition says it was in the vicinity of Middle Village of the present day. According to the legend it was bent by Na-na-bo-jo. Formerly it was straight, but as the great hunter and chieftain was climbing the hill one day at this point, with his canoe over his head, the end of the boat caught on the tree and gave him a bad fall. In anger he struck the tree a blow with his fist and bent it over. Where he hit the trunk a large swelling came out, and henceforward every knot or growth protruding from a tree was called "Na-nabo-jo's Fist." When the French missionaries arrived upon the scene, they named the place "L'Arbre Croche"; and in the course of time the whole of what is now Emmet county, from Harbor Springs north was known by that appellation. L'Arbre Croche proper was once the center of missionary operations extending over a wide territory, and was the largest Indian village in the region of the Great Lakes.