There is a fairly well known story that the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh
predicted both the solar eclipse of June 16, 1806 and the New Madrid
Earthquake of December 16, 1811, and used this to convince the Shawnee the
gods supported war against the white man. One version of the story says
Tecumseh knew about the eclipse in advance because he had seen it forecast
in an almanac.

I have read speculation that Twain drew upon this story for the scene in *A
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court *in which Hank Morgan out-wizards
Merlin by predicting a solar eclipse.

Does anyone on the list know if there is evidence to support that?

Thanks!

Bill

-- 
William B. Robison, PhD
Department Head / Professor of History
Department of History and Political Science
Southeastern Louisiana University
SLU 10895
Hammond LA 70402
985-549-2109 phone
985-549-2012 fax
[log in to unmask]
http://www.selu.edu/acad_research/depts/hist_ps/index.html
http://www.tudorsonfilm.com/
http://www.impairedfaculties.com/

History teaches students to read intelligently, think analytically, write
clearly, accurately assess past trends, rationally predict future
developments, and understand the real world. Now *that* is workforce-ready!

History does offer us very real lessons, but they are seldom simple and
straightforward. To understand and benefit from them, you have to know your
history very well. That is why history matters as much as math, science,
technology, or any other subject.

"A young horse is fast, but an old horse knows what's going on." – Muddy
Waters