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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.

Christy Poster

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.

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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.

The Signing of the Treating of Greene Ville

Following General Anthony Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers, 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 signed the treaty on August 3, 1795 and 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.

Wampum Belt 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 Wyandot 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. Frustrated, they again turned to the British/Canadians for help. The British did supply them and encouraged them to revolt against the Americans, but the British remained out of direct conflict with the Americans. These conflicts would finally erupt in full scale war in 1812 when the United States declared war on Great Britain.

LEFT: Shown at left 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.

The Main Characters at the Signing of the Treaty

Treaty of Greene Ville

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

Greenville Treaty Signing Marker

The marker reads:

PLACED
TO COMMEMORATE THE
TREATY OF GREENVILLE
SIGNED AUGUST 3, 1795 BY
GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE
REPRESENTING THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
AND THE CHIEFS AND AGENTS OF THE
ALLIED INDIAN TRIBES
OF THE
TERRITORY NORTHWEST
OF THE OHIO RIVER
MCMVI