Henri de Tonty

Henri de Tonty (1650?-1704), Italian explorer, born in Gaeta. As a youth he entered the service of France, and in 1678 he went with the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, to Québec. He accompanied La Salle on his famous voyage down the Mississippi River in 1682 and was in command of Fort Saint Louis, in present-day Illinois, from the time of its erection until 1700, when he joined the Louisiana colony. An able administrator and successful colonist, he won the respect and admiration of the Native Americans. He was known as Iron Hand because of his artificial hand, a substitute for one he lost in battle while with the French army, and was believed by the Native Americans to have magical powers.