Howard Christy, the artist

Howard Chandler Christy (January 10, 1873—March 3, 1952) was an American artist famous for the "Christy Girl", similar to a "Gibson Girl". Besides painting "The Signing of the Treaty of Greene Ville which hangs in the rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse, he also painted "Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States." Some of his work is on display at New York City restaurant Café des Artistes - they include six panels of wood nymphs and paintings such as The Parrot Girl, The Swing Girl, Ponce De Leon, Fall, Spring, and the Fountain of Youth.

He was born in Morgan County and attended early school in Duncan Falls, Ohio. He then studied in New York at the National Academy and the Art Students League under Chase.

He first attracted attention with his illustrations of the Spanish-American War, published in Scribner's and Harper's magazines and in Collier's Weekly, gaining especial prominence with the series, "Men of the Army and Navy," and a portrait of Colonel Roosevelt.

He was best known, however, for his charming illustrations of the works of such authors as Richard Harding Davis and he created a picturesque and romantic type of society women peculiarly his own. His work is characterized by great facility, a dashing but not exaggerated style, and a strong sense of values. He preferred black and white, but he also worked with success in color. It was through his work as a commercial artist that he became a nationally known illustrator.

The Signing of the Treaty of Greene Ville, 1795, as depicted by Howard Chandler Christy (painted in 1945). Anthony Wayne dictates terms to the Indians. This painting is currently hanging in the east stairway of the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse.

Treaty of
GreeneVille

Following General Anthony Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers in August 1794, General Wayne withdrew his forces and setup a winter camp at Greenville. In January of 1795, several members of the western tribes assembled at Fort Greene Ville to settle on terms of peace. Representatives of the Wyandotte, Delaware, Shawnee, Ottawa, Chippewa, Potawatomi, Miami, Eel River, Wea, Piankeshaw, Kickapoo, and Kaskaskia. Once the general terms were agreed to they tribes departed for their own villages to discuss the terms. General Wayne sent the transcribed document to President Washington for his approval.

The parties returned to Greene Ville and on August 3, 1795 signed the treaty. In so doing they agreed to cede claims to lands east of the Cuyahoga River to Fort Laurens in Tuscarawas County and south of a line running west to Fort Recovery. In return, the United States offered payment and annuities in the form of goods and ceded claim to most land north and west of the treaty line.

This treaty marked the end of the Indian Wars in the Ohio Country, forsaking boundary violations by both parties, and established the official western border of the United States, opening much of Ohio for settlement. The treaty was not perfect by any means and the peace between the Americans and native peoples of Ohio would not last.

Confined to only about 1/4 of the land that had supported them for 100s of years, the Shawnee, Delaware and Wyandotte peoples suffered. Traders who had long been known to supply alcohol to the indians to gain advantages over them, again began fueling the fires of the native peoples depression. Some of the warriors became drunkards. But others, particularly the Shawnee were living near present day Wapakoneta, turned their backs on the old ways, and tried to become a part of the encroaching American civilization.

Over the next 10 years from the signing of the treaty, the government continued to acquire more of the native peoples land through purchases and new treaties. One Native American rose to power during this time. His name was Tecumseh. He scolded the signers of the treaty for giving away lands they had no right to give away. As time passed the number of like-minded Native American's increased, Tecumseh began traveling across the country trying to enlist more Nations to band together to resist the Americans. The Shawnee leader eventually amassed a force of about 2000 warriors from various tribes found in the Northwest Territory.

Native Americans were never of one mind or purpose and Tecumseh found it difficult to unite them in one cause. Frustrated, he turned to the British/Canadians for help. Although they did supply him with essential materials and supplies, it wasn't until the Americans declared war on the British in 1812 that the actively supported those under the leadership of Tecumseh. Tecumseh was killed in one of the last battles of the war, thus ending Tecumseh's dream of a united Native American Nation.

Read the actual content of the Treaty of Greenville >>

ABOVE: Shown is part of the actual wampum belt given to Anthony Wayne at the signing of the treaty. Traditionally wampum belts were rows of marine shells strung and tied on buckskin thongs by American Indians. The wampum belt served to record agreements made during peace negotiations to confirm the speaker's sincerity. The belt is on display at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus.

Main Characters at the Signing

1. Anthony Wayne

2. Little Turtle

3. William Wells

4. William Henry Harrison

5. William Clark

6. Meriwether Lewis

7. Blue Jacket

8. Leather Lips

9. Tarhe

Today, there is a marker in the city of Greenville that commemorates the signing of the Treaty.

The marker reads: