Hagler
Hagler was a prominent chief of the Catawba Indians, a tribe located in what is now South Carolina. Although the exact date of his birth is unknown, he is known to have been murdered on August 30, 1763, by Shawnee warriors. Following the death of his predecessor, Young Warrior, Hagler assumed leadership of the Catawbas in a time marked by conflict with neighboring tribes and encroaching European settlers. He played a vital role in negotiating peace with other tribes and formed alliances with white settlers, which were crucial for the survival of his people.
Hagler was also a strong advocate against the detrimental effects of alcohol on his community, making him notable for his temperance stance during a treaty meeting in 1754. His leadership was characterized by a dedication to the welfare of the Catawbas, as he sought justice for his people and worked to secure land and resources for them. His tragic death incited a wave of violence against the Shawnee and left a lasting impact on the Catawba community, solidifying his legacy as a significant figure in their history. Despite challenges, such as devastating smallpox outbreaks, Hagler's efforts ensured the Catawbas remained a recognized tribe in South Carolina into the late 18th century.
Subject Terms
Hagler
- Born: c. 1690
- Birthplace: Present-day South Carolina
- Died: August 30, 1763
- Place of death: South Carolina
Tribal affiliation: Catawba
Significance: Hagler was the most significant of the eighteenth century Catawba chiefs; he established peace with the white colonists and unified his people
From the time of first contact with the English, the Catawba Indians conferred the title of king on their chiefs. No date is established for Hagler’s birth, but it is known that he was murdered August 30, 1763, by Shawnee warriors. It is assumed that, following the death of chief Young Warrior in 1749, Hagler became leader of the Catawbas. Though Catawba chiefs were elected and served with a tribal council, both Young Warrior and Hagler were absolute in their rule.
The Catawbas and other tribes warred constantly during the first half of the eighteenth century. This constant conflict was considered a threat by whites, and in 1750 Governor De Witt Clinton of New York called for a meeting of Indian nations in Albany, New York. Hagler and five headmen sailed from Charles Town on May 23, 1751, and arrived in New York on May 30. The negotiations in New York were successful, and the Catawbas returned to the South believing a permanent peace was at hand. Their optimism was short-lived, however: Within two years, tribes from the north were making forays into Catawba territory, taking property and attacking people.
The Cherokees also continued to attack the Catawbas. By 1759, Hagler expressed solidarity with the white people against the Cherokees. He and forty other Catawbas served in the “Indian Corps” of an army commanded by Captain Quentin Kennedy and fought in the second Battle of Etchoe. It is clear that it was the alliance forged by Hagler with white South Carolinians that enabled the Catawbas to survive.
The greatest enemy of the Catawbas, though, was smallpox. Warriors brought the disease to the tribe when they returned from Fort Duquesne. Hagler survived by having his own encampment separate from the tribe. He was able to keep the tribe together, and by 1787 the Catawbas were the only organized Indian tribe in South Carolina.
Hagler was very much opposed to alcohol and the harm it seemed to be doing to his people. In 1754 he attended a “treaty”—a time to list grievances between whites and Indians. There, he told the white state authorities that they were to blame for the illness and crime among his people by making and selling strong drink to them. This speech has been referred to as “the first temperance lecture in the Carolinas.” Though an absolute ruler, Hagler was concerned for the welfare of his people—even demanding that the white community provide food for them. He also had a keen sense of justice, as evidenced by the return of stolen property and his punishment of Catawbas for crimes against the whites.
In 1760 the Catawbas, ravaged by smallpox, were moved to Pine Tree Hill. Hagler and his headmen negotiated a treaty which provided a 15-square-mile tract of land for the Catawbas. A fort was built for security, and the friendship with whites continued.
In 1763, Hagler was returning home to Twelve Mile Creek with a slave when he was shot six times by a party of seven Shawnee. The slave escaped and told the story. Following the murder, the Catawbas were so taken with grief and enmity that they perpetrated atrocities against the Shawnee. One of the murderers was captured with a group of Shawnees. He was hacked to death; the others were beaten senseless with hickory switches and then given over to the young Catawba boys for target practice. The scalps were presented to the South Carolina governor, who told the warriors to give them to their Catawba boys so they would be brave men. He told the party, “We loved King Hagler because he was a friend to the English and we are glad that the man that killed him was killed by the Catawbas.” Hagler was buried with his personal possessions, including a silver-mounted rifle, gold, and other items of value. His grave was robbed less than a month after his death.