Edward Algenon Ashton
Pine Tree Treaty
Family history handed down from grandfather to father, and father to son, reveals colorful details of life in Lowell a century ago.Edward Algenon Ashton, father of "Jack" Ceylon R., was born in a cabin built by his father where the Frank Kohlscheens now reside. His land stretched out to include that block and the wooded knoll which is now the site of L.H.S.
Edward often recalled stories of their thieving neighbors, the Pottawotamie Indians and recounted tales of Indian round-ups to his young son, Jack (who incidentally was born in the same house). The vivid stories were ever a source of thrilling entertainment to the adventurous youth and today he displays with pride a peace pipe, by which means his tactful grandfather brought peace to the white settlers of Lowell.
The truth is: The Indians rode into the settlement and stole horses, cows, sheep, grain, in fact, anything they could find, and hid the loot in the marshlands of the Kankakee. A favorite spot was a densely wooded knoll where later English nobility built Cumberland lodge (the land is now part of the John Schneider farm).
The white settlers formed posses and hunted the Indians down, never failing to retrieve their stolen property.
Grandfather Ashton cornered the tribal chief one day, and this patient, tactful man struck a note of understanding in the savage mind. Beneath two great giant pines before the Ashton cabin (one tree still stands), the elder Ashton, the chief, the settlers, [and] the Indians smoked the pipe of peace. Vows were never broken and true peace reigned.
Ashton gave the chief a mechanical grind stone upon which to shape their arrows. The peace pipe was exhibited in the Lowell library museum for about 15 years and can now be seen among the treasured antiques on display in the window of the Ashton business house -- the Davis Store, established here 68 years ago.
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