Tecumseh

Julie still manages to outpace us as she ventures into Michigan. This week, she is about 14 miles short of the Smallwander town of Tecumseh. Tecumseh was named after a Shawnee war chief who resisted settlers coming into the Northwest Territory. During the War of 1812, Tecumseh sides with the British but is killed in battle. His death marks the beginning of Native American removal from the territory. To continue with my habit of free association, the Union Civil War General, William Tecumseh Sherman, was named after the chief by his Ohioan father. So, Tecumseh is venerated by later generations born from the settlers who swept through the land and disposessed its first inhabitants. John ventured just outside of Mansfield, OH, which is known as the ‘Fun Center of Ohio’ for reasons yet to be explored. Ben’s final destination was New Bethlehem, PA, home to a Peanut Butter Festival because of its Smucker’s factory. Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, Smucker’s does not sponsor the festival. I see an opportunity here.