The History of Genesee, MI, Chapter IV, An Ignominious Whipping

AN IGNOMINIOUS WHIPPING.

A story is told of a fight between one of the chiefs and "Aunt Polly" Todd, who kept the first tavern at Flint. She was of the stuff of which the wives of pioneers are made. One day, the old Chippewa chief Ton-a-da-ga-na called through the door for whiskey. Mrs. Todd, who was alone, refused him, whereupon the chief forced his way into the room, drew a long knife and was about to attack her when she struck him across the face with a heavy splint broom, knocking him down. She then jumped on him, placed her knees on his chest and held his wrists until help came in response to her screams. The next day the old chief came back to the tavern and, baring his breast, invited death at her hands, saying, "Old chief no good. Whipped by white squaw."

Aunt Polly's son, Edward A. Todd, says that he saw the sub-chief Pero, who was of a very jealous disposition, shoot his wife to death. The shooting, he says, occurred near where now is Genesee Mill. She was buried on the north side of the river in an orchard of plum trees about half way between Garland Street Methodist Episcopal church and Saginaw street bridge; a kettle, tobacco, beads, etc., were buried with her and, adds Mr. Todd, "nothing was ever done about it."