Could the White Man have been in Lorain County before the Native Americans?
That's a theory that Elyria attorney Howard Saddler was exploring back on April 29, 1984 as noted in the article below, which appeared in the Journal on that day. Saddler based his beliefs on an old article he found in an 1876 edition of the Elyria Republican about a 1603 French expedition exploring the St. Lawrence. According to the narrative, Pierre d'Bois, one of the traders, was captured by Iroquois Indians. After living with the Iroquois for some time, d'Bois was then captured by Erie Indians – who brought him to Lake Erie and possibly to the Black River.
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| April 29, 1984 |
Saddler's theory was a tough sell, with various local historians – including
Colonel Raymond C. Vietzen – seemingly distancing themselves from it, as noted in the article.
But Saddler was enthusiastic. Not only about his theory, but also a proposal for "an Erie Indian Museum and Patriots Park" along the Black River in Sheffield Village. He spent much of the summer of 1984 trying to sell this idea to the Lorain County Commissioners.
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| July 3, 1984 |
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| August 1, 1984 |
His efforts extended into 1985 as well.
Unfortunately, Saddler's idea of a historical tourist attraction died. But it was a great concept, especially his idea of honoring the pioneers, Indians and patriots."
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| July 30, 1991 |
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