Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

INGHIAM COUNTY NOTES

193

derer, if I remember aright, was a man by the name of Hyde. He
was tried in Mason, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary.
The same old lady in speaking of this event, said, "I don't see
how in the world they could bring him in guilty of murder in the
second degree, without he killed tew men." Contributed by a
Pioneer.
A LITTLE SIDELIGHT.
MRS. THEODORE WESTON, Williamston.
Mrs. Weston says her father came to Michigan in 1836, but
settled in Jackson county, where he lived on one farm 55 years.
She has often heard her father tell of Chief Bateese at Bateese
Lake, whom he knew well. This chief had an Indian pony well
known throughout the country. It was pure white, and the Chief
often rode it from Bateese Lake to Detroit, in a day, said to be 90
miles.
When her father first came to Michigan there was an Indian
village where Onondaga now stands, and he used to meet the
braves often and talk with them. They used often to come to
Mrs. Weston's grandmother's and ask for food.
Mr. and Mrs. Weston came into Ingham county in 1879 and
bought some new land of J. H. Rayner, of Mason, and although
there were cleared and cultivated farms all around them, they
lived the true pioneer life on their 80 acres as they redeemed it
from the wilderness.
CHIEF OKEMOS.
A history of Ingham county would be incomplete without the
story of Chief Okemos, the most noted Indian who ever dwelt
within its borders, and his prowess as a warrior in the frays of
early days has caused his name to frequently appear in the annals
of Ingham county and other counties adjoining.
In a history put out by the Historical Society of Washtenaw
county in 1881 is found the following condensed history of "Old"
Okenlos, as he was best known during the latter part of his life: