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INDIAN THOROUGHFARES

are different, too. I am come to bring the Indians great and good words." And nothing bears out more strongly the brave hero's words than the rough map left us of the "roads of iron" beyond the Ohio.[1]

The conquest of the continent was made over these Indian thoroughfares which offered access to it. Army after army marched over the old Iroquois trail throughout the old French and Revolutionary wars. Washington led the first army into the West over Nemacolin's Path, built the first English fort erected in the West beside it, and there fought the first battle of the old French war. Braddock followed Washington's trail, building his great road from Fort Cumberland to within seven miles of the Ohio river—a deed which should have brought him more credit than his defeat brought him disgrace. Forbes, truly a "Head of Iron," plowed his way over the Ohio branch of the Kittanning trail, building his road as he went, until the flag of his king floated from the remnants of dismantled Fort Duquesne. From Fort Watanga Daniel Boone opened his "Wilderness

  1. Heckewelder's "Map of Northeastern Ohio, 1796."