USA > Iowa > Dickinson County > History of Dickinson County, Iowa, together with an account of the Spirit Lake massacre, and the Indian troubles on the northwestern frontier > Part 10
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It was in crossing this stream that Mrs. Thatcher was mur- . dered. Mrs. Sharp's account is too long to be reproduced in full here, but some extracts will be given. Mrs. Thatcher's health was more delicate and she had suffered more than the other prisoners during their long, tedious march, and during a portion of the time she had not been compelled to carry a pack as the other prisoners had. During the last few days she had partially recovered and was therefore compelled to carry her pack as before. It seems that at the point where the party reached the river a bridge of driftwood had formed across the stream over which a person with clear head and steady step could cross with tolerable safety.
"On such a bridge we were to cross the now swollen waters. * * * As we were about to follow the Indians across one of these uncertain bridges where a single misstep might plunge us into the deep waters, an Indian, not more than sixteen years old * * * who had always manifested a great degree of
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hatred and contempt for the whites, approached us and taking the pack from Mrs. Thatcher's shoulders and placing it on his own, ordered us forward. This seeming kindness at once aroused our suspicions. * When we reached the cen- ter of the swollen stream, as we anticipated, this insolent young savage pushed Mrs. Thatcher from the bridge into the ice cold water, but by what seemed supernatural strength, she breasted the dreadful torrent, and making a last struggle for life, reached the shore which had just been left, and was clinging to the root of a tree at the bank. She was here met by some of the other Indians who were just coming upon the scene. They com- menced throwing clubs at her and with long poles shoved her back into the angry stream. As if nerved by dread of such a death she made another desperate effort for life, and doubt- less would have gained the shore, but here again she was met by her meciless tormentors and was beaten off as before. She was then carried down by the furious, boiling current of the Sioux, while the Indians on either side of the stream were running along the banks, whooping and yelling, and throwing sticks and stones at her until she reached another bridge. Here . she was finally shot by one of the Indians in another division of the band, who was crossing with another division of the cap- tives some distance below."
Reviewing these events in the light of present conditions and surroundings, the strange thing about the whole matter is that any one of those four captives bore up for a single week under the extreme suffering and hardships to which they were ex- posed. Just think of it! Wet to the waist every day from walking through the snow and slush, indifferently clothed, nearly starved, often going two days without anything to eat, compelled to carry a pack, which would test the endurance of a strong man. All this they had now endured for over six weeks.
American history furnishes no parallel to their suffering and endurance; language fails to describe them; the intellect fails to grasp them,-and the end is not yet. True, spring had come, and the condition of the unfortunate captives was somewhat alleviated. But they still had a long, tedious road to
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DEATH OF MRS. THATCHER
travel, and many dangers and vicissitudes through which to pass.
After crossing the Big Sioux they continued their march westward into Dakota. In their wanderings they frequently met roving bands of Sioux with whom they always seemed to be on good terms. It has been claimed by the Indians and their apologists that Inkpadutah's band were not annuity In- dians, but that they were regarded as outlaws, and were not fellowshipped by the agency Indians. This certainly could not have been true to any great extent. Mrs. Sharp saw noth- ing of the kind while she was with them. On the contrary, she says, "Whenever we met any of the other bands our cap- tors would go over the story of their achievements by word and gesture and the display of booty, giving a vivid description of the affair, reproducing in fullest detail even the groans and sighs of the victims. To all this the other Sioux listened not only without any signs of disapprobation, but with every indi- cation of enjoyment and high appreciation."
On the sixth of May, when the Indians were camped at a small lake some thirty miles west of the Big Sioux, their camp was visited by two young Indians from the Yellow Medicine Agency, who, upon seeing the prisoners, took a fancy to them, and after a considerable bantering bought Mrs. Marble, trad- ing guns, blankets, ammunition and such things as they had with them. After completing the trade they started imme- diately on their return, and after several days weary journey- ing arrived at the Yellow Medicine Agency. Through the in- strumentality of missionaries, Messrs. Riggs and Williamson and Major Flandrau, the Indian Agent, a sum of money amounting to $1,000 was raised and paid to the Indians for her ransom.
It is the generally accepted belief that both of the prisoners, Mrs. Marble and Miss Gardner, were rescued by friendly In-
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dians sent out from the agency for that purpose. But such, it seems, was not the case so far as Mrs. Marble was concerned. The facts connected with her release will be better understood from the following extract from Major Flandrau's report, ac- companied by a statement written out for the two Indians by Mr. Riggs. Judge Flandrau says :
"I was engaged in devising plans for the rescue of the captives and the punishment of the Indians in connection with Colonel Alexander of the Tenth Infantry, but had found it very difficult to settle upon any course which would not endanger the safety of the prisoners. We knew that any hostile demonstration would be sure to result in the destruction of the women, and were without means to fit out an expedition for their ransom. While we were deliberating on the best course to pursue, an accident opened the way to success. A party of my Indians were hunting on the Big Sioux River, and having learned that Inkpadutah's band was at Lake Chauptayatonka, about thirty miles west of the river, and also knowing of the fact that they held some white women prisoners, two young men (brothers) visited the camp and after much talk they succeeded in purchasing Mrs. Marble. They paid for her all they possessed and brought her into the agency and delivered her into the hands of the mis- sionaries stationed at that point. She was at once turned over to me with a written statement from the two Indians who had brought her, which was prepared for them at their request by Mr. Riggs, who spoke their language fluently. I will allow them to tell their own story. It was as follows: 'Hon. C. E. Flandrau: Father. In our spring hunt, when encamped at the north end of Big Wood on the Sioux River, we learned from some Indians who came to us, that we were not far from Red End's camp. Of our own accord, and con- trary to the advice of all about us, we concluded to visit them, thinking that possibly we might be able to obtain one or more of the white women held by them as prisoners. We found them encamped at Chauptayatonka Lake, about thirty miles west of our own camp. We were met at some distance from their lodges by four men armed with revolvers, who demanded of us our business. After satisfying them that we were not spies and had no evil intentions in regard to them we were
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MRS. MARBLE PURCHASED
taken into Inkpadutah's Lodge. The night was spent in re- citing their massacre, etc. It was not until the next morning that we ventured to ask for one of the women. Much time was spent in talking and it was not until the middle of the afternoon did we obtain their consent to our proposition. We paid for her all we had. We brought her to our mother's tent, clothed her as we were able, and fed her bountifully on the best we had-duck and corn. "We brought her to Lae qui Parle, and now, father, after having her with us fifteen days, we place her in your hands. It was perilous business, for which we think we should be liberally rewarded. We claim for our services $500 each.' * * * This communication was signed by the Indians and witnessed by the missionary, Mr. Riggs."
Judge Flandrau adds: "By the action of these Indians we not only got one of the captives but we learned for the first time definitely the whereabouts of the marauders and the as- surance that the other women were still alive as these Indians had seen them in Red End's camp."
It will be seen from the foregoing extracts that the release of Mrs. Marble was not the result of any preconcerted plan worked out by the government officers, but was styled by Judge Flandrau himself a "lucky accident."
About four weeks after the release of Mrs. Marble, while Inkpadutah's band were roaming over the prairies, they fell in with a small party of Yanktons. Their leader, after some bantering, purchased both of the prisoners from Inkpadntah. His object was simply to make money by selling them to the whites, but he didn't seem to be in any particular hurry to realize on his investment. Instead of starting at once for the settlements, as the purchasers of Mrs. Marble had done, he continued to journey with Inkpadutah's party in their aimless wanderings. One evening, a few days after the purchase, Roar- ing Cloud, a son of Inkpadutah, came to the tent of the Yank- ton and in a fit of rage dragged Mrs. Noble from the tent and regardless of the protests of her Yankton owner, seized a club
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and murdered her on the spot. Of this event Mrs. Sharp writes as follows :
"The next morning the warriors gathered around the already mangled corpse and amused themselves by making it a target to shoot at. To this show of barbarism I was brought out and com- pelled to stand a silent witness. Faint and sick at heart, I at length turned away from the dreadful sight without their orders to do so, and started off on the day's march expecting they would riddle me with their bullets, but why should I escape more than others ? But for some unaccountable reason I was spared. After going a short distance I looked back and they were still around her, using their knives cutting off her hair and muti- lating her body. * At last the bloody camp was de- serted and the mangled body left lying on the ground un- buried. Her hair, in two heavy braids, just as she had ar- ranged it, was tied to the end of a stick, perhaps three fect long, and during the day as I wearily and sadly toiled on, one of the young Indians walked by my side and repeatedly slashed me in the face with it, thus adding insult to injury. * * *
"If Mrs. Noble could only have escaped the vengeance of Roaring Cloud a few days longer she doubtless would have been set at liberty and restored to civilized society and the companionship of her sister and brothers. * Could she only have known the efforts being made for her rescue and how near they already were to success, she would have had courage to endure insults a little longer and hope to bid her look forward. At the very moment when she was dragged from her tent and brutally murdered, rescuers under the di- rection of the United States Commissioner fully prepared for her ransom were pressing forward with all the dispatch pos- sible."
Mrs. Marble's arrival at the settlement was the first intima- tion that had been received of the fate of any of the captives and created great excitement. A deep interest had been man- ifested in the fate of the prisoners from the first and now that it was definitely known that two of them were still living and in captivity there was a general demand that ample meas- ures be immediately taken for their rescue. Major Flandrau immediately set to work to fit out an expedition for that pur-
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EXPEDITION SENT FOR MISS GARDNER
pose. He had no government funds at his command, but he and his friends used their own private credit in securing an outfit. Volunteers were not wanting and three trusty scouts were soon selected. In regard to further operations, he says :
"The question of outfit then presented itself and I ran my credit with the traders for the following articles at the prices stated :
· Wagon $110.00
4 Horses . 600.00
12 3 Point Blankets (4 blue, 8 white) .. 56.00
32 Yards of Squaw Cloth 44.00
373 Yards Calico 5.37
20 Lbs. Tobacco
10 00
1 Sack of Shot
4.00
15 Lbs. Powder
25.00
Corn
4.00
Flour
10.00
Coffee
1.50
Sugar
1.50
"With this outfit, and instructions to give as much of it as was necessary for the women, my expedition started on the twenty-third day of May from Yellow Medicine. I at once left for Fort Ridgley to consult Colonel Alexander as to the plan of operation for an attack upon the camp of Inkpadutalı the instant we could get word as to the safety of the white wo- men. The Colonel entered into the spirit of the matter with zeal. He had four or five companies at the fort and proposed to put them into the field, so as to approach Skunk Lake, where Inkpadutah had his camp, from several different directions and insure his destruction. If an event which was wholly unforeseen had not occurred, the well laid plan of Colonel Alexander would undoubtedly have succeeded. But unfortunately for the cause of justice, about the time we began to expect information from my expedition, which was to be the signal for moving on the enemy, an order arrived at the fort commanding the Colonel with all his available force to start immediately and join the expedition against the Mormons, which was then moving to Utah, under the command of General Sidney Johnston. So peremptory was the command that the steamboat that brought the order carried off the entire garrison of the fort and put an end to all hopes of our being able to punish the enemy."
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DICKINSON COUNTY - IOWA
So it will be seen that the blame for not adopting more en- ergetic measures to secure, capture and punish the Indians cannot be laid upon the commandant at Fort Ridgley, nor the agent at Yellow Medieine. Whatever induced the War De- partment to leave the northwestern frontier in this defenseless condition at a time of such imminent danger by withdrawing all the troops for a wild goose chase through Utah after the Mormons is something that cannot be satisfactorily explained. The fort was regarrisoned the latter part of July.
A few days after the murder of Mrs. Noble the Indians with their remaining captive reached the James River, where now is situated the town of Old Ashton in Spink County, South Dakota. Here, on the opposite side of the river, was a power- ful Yankton camp of nearly two hundred lodges. These Yank- tons had evidently never been in contact with civilization. They were armed with bows and arrows and clubs. Their tents and clothing were manufactured entirely from buffalo hides, and there was absolutely nothing in their appearance to indicate that they had ever had any intercourse with the whites. To them the "white squaw" was a source of much wonderment and they never tired of commenting on and ex- amining her "flaxen hair, blue eyes and light complexion."
They had been in this eamp but a few days, and the novelty and excitement of Inkpadutah's coming with a white captive had not yet subsided, when on the thirtieth of May three In- dians dressed in white men's elothes came into camp. These Indians were the ones that had been sent out from the agency for the express purpose of securing the release of the remain- ing prisoners. The death of Mrs. Noble having occurred in the meantime, Miss Gardner was the only one left. Some three or four days were spent in parleying and bantering, when an arrangement was finally reached and the eaptive was turned over to her new purchasers.
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MISS GARDNER RANSOMED
INDIAN COUNCIL NEGOTIATING FOR THE SURRENDER OF MISS GARDNER.
Mrs. Sharp says the price paid for her ransom was two horses, twelve blankets, two kegs of powder, twenty pounds of tobacco, thirty-two yards of squaw cloth, thirty-seven and a half yards of calico, and ribbon and other small articles with which these Indians had been provided by Major Flandrau. As soon as possible after the completion of the transfer the res- ening party crossed the James River and prepared to start at once on their return trip cast. They had brought a team of horses and a wagon with them, which they had concealed among the brush and willows on the east side of the river, pending negotiations. In all probability had the Yanktons known they were there they would have insisted on their being added to the purchase price. The party consisted of the three agency Indians sent out by Major Flandran and two Yanktons from the James River.
Mrs. Sharp's description of her rescue and the return trip are intensely interesting and at times highly dramatic. 1 few extracts are all that can be given. She says :
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DICKINSON COUNTY - IOWA
"Almost the first move was to cross the James River. I was put into a frail little boat made of buffalo skin stripped of hair and dressed so as to be impervious to water. The boat was not more than five feet long by four wide and incapable of carrying more than one person. When I found I was the only occupant I concluded that the story of the Indian who told me I was to be drowned was after all a true onc. * * I was, however, happily disappointed to see my new purchasers divest them- selves of their fine clothes and swim across, holding the end of a cable made of buffalo hide which had previously been fas- tened to the boat. (With this they drew the boat with me in it to the eastern shore. Thus, though I knew it not, I was being drawn towards home and friends, and the river was put be- tween me and my crnel foes. * Hiding the team and wagon was not only a piece of sharp practice but a wise stroke of policy, and showed diplomacy. * *
"The names of the persons composing this rescue party should be put on record and held in remembrance not alone for this mission but for other humane deeds done by them. They were Mazaintemani now familiarly known among the whites as John Other Day, Hotonhowashta or Beautiful Voice, and Chetanmaza or Iron Hawk."
These three Indians were prominent members of the church at the mission station at Yellow Medicine. Other Day was a prominent figure during the Sioux War five years later. Many were the times that he risked his own life in warning the settlers of impending trouble. His services will be referred to again. Chetanmaza, or Iron Hawk visited Mrs. Sharp at her home during the summer of 1895 and was present at the dedication of the monument. Of the return trip Mrs. Sharp says :
"The Yankton chief having been placated and I safely towed across the river the team was brought out. The Yanktons filled' the wagon with dried buffalo meat and buffalo robes. I was in- stalled driver and the five Indians (three Yellow Medicine and two Yanktons) leading the way in single file we took up our march. * * * After seven days of incessant traveling we came into a region thickly peopled with Indians."
CHETANMAZA AND HIS FRIEND
From a Photograph.
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DICKINSON COUNTY - IOWA
Two days later they arrived at the home of a half-breed who could speak English. ' This was the first she knew of her where-' abouts or what was to become of her. She here learned that these Indians had been sent out from the agency on purpose to secure her release "and that the long journey with its perils and sacrifices had been made for me." She further says :
"I also learned from this half-breed that Mrs. Marble had been there about a month before and had gone on to St. Paul % * * After a day and a half spent at the half-breed's trading post in which time I had tried to make myself as presentable as possible, we proceeded to the Yellow Medicine Agency and then to the mission station of Dr. Thomas Wil- liamson."
A scare almost amounting to a panic occurred at the agency about the time of the arrival of Miss Gardner, but in no way connected with her. The trouble was over the delay in paying the Indians their ammities and came near being serious, but the money for the annuities came just in time to save further trouble. Further on Mrs. Sharp says :
"While this dun cloud of war hung over our heads, one of the Yanktons who had accompanied us as an escort from the James River brought out a beautiful Indian war cap that had been carefully packed away in the wagon without my knowledge. I was seated on a stool in the center of the room and with great display of Indian eloquence it was presented to me and placed upon my head in the name of the great chief Matowaken. The instruc- tions of the chief were that I should be crowned with it on our first arrival at the abode of the whites and that it should be exhibited when we came into the presence of the Great Father, meaning the Governor of Minnesota. * In the pre- sentation speech it was stated that it was given as a token of respect for the fortitude and bravery I had manifested and it was because of this that Inkpadutah's Indians did not kill me. It was also stated that as long as I retained the cap I would be under the protection of all of the Dacotahs."
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TRIP TO ST. PAUL
From the ageney the party passed down the river to. Fort Ridgley and thence across the country to Traverse, which was at the time the head of navigation on the Minnesota River, where they embarked on a steamer to St. Paul.
Several pages of Mrs. Sharp's book are devoted to an account of the journey to St. Paul, the andience with the governor, the address to Mazaintemani upon surrendering the captive, the Governor's reply, and the address of Major Flandran, making it one of the most interesting and attractive chapters in the whole volume. The amount paid the Indians was $1,200 or $400 each in addition to the amount paid the Yanktons at the time of her purchase. The leader of the rescuing party always remained the firm friend of the whites and during the terrible days following the massacre of 1862 exerted himself in every possible way to prevent the outrages and protect the settlers.
CHAPTER XI.
GOVERNMENT APATHY-NO ATTEMPT TO PUNISH THE OUTLAWS-ROARING CLOUD VENTURES NEAR THE AGENCY-IS KILLED BY A PARTY OF SOLDIERS AND VOLUNTEERS- LITTLE CROW SENT IN SEARCH OF THE OUTLAWS- -CLAIMED TO ILAVE KILLED THREE AND DEMANDS THEIR ANNUITIES WHICH ARE FINALLY PAID THEM ..
HE APATHY of the government in not attempting to devise some more effectual means for the detection and punishment of this marauding band of savages was much criticized. It was known all summer that the headquarters of the band were at Skunk Lake, in Dakota. What was asked was that another fort be established at some place, say Sioux Falls, and then that troops enough be sent to the frontier to not only secure protection, but to make an aggressive movement practicable. It will be seen that the moves made against these Indians were made by wholly inadequate forces. Could a strong column have been sent out simultan- eously from Fort Ridgley, Fort Randall and Sioux Falls, the band could have been captured or destroyed. The feeble at- tempts that were made by the Indian agent and the commander of the fort were not sanctioned by the Federal authority.
Judge Flandran and the commandant at the fort did every- thing they could do with the means at their command, but the War Department seemed to be perfectly indifferent and the only measure proposed by them to accomplish the object was to withhold the annuities from the agency Indians until the out- laws were surrendered. Of course, the agency Indians regarded this as a great wrong. How much it may have had to do with
141
DEATH OF ROARING CLOUD
intensifying the hostile feeling existing at the time we don't know; also whether it may be reckoned as one of the factors in precipitating the Minnesota outbreak in 1862, we don't know, but, view it as we may, the stubbornness and stupidity of the War Department at this time are wholly incomprehensi- ble.
Some time in July word was received by Major Flandran that a portion of Inkpadutah's band were in camp on the Yel- low Medicine not far from the agency. Upon holding a con- sultation with the commandant of the fort it was decided that an effort must be made to capture or destroy them if possible. Accordingly Lieutenant Murray, with a small force of about twenty regulars and as many or more volunteers, was detailed for that service. John Other Day, the same Indian who led the rescuing party that rescued Mrs. Sharp from the Indians, was sent forward as a scout to reconnoiter and ascertain the facts. This force left Fort Ridgley about dark. They moved forward as fast as possible, and when a few miles from the Upper Agency were met by their guide, and were informed by him that the report was true that a part of Inkpadutah's band were in camp not a great distance from the agency. How many, he did not know. They con- sisted of six tepees and were out at one side by themselves about five miles up the river. The party again moved forward, pi- loted by their Indian guide, and reached the river where they intended to cross just after daylight. The hostile camp was in full view on the high ground on the opposite side of the river. As the soldiers were nearing the spot an Indian holding a squaw by the hand sprang from one of the tepees and started rapidly for the river. Other Day, the guide, recognized him as Roaring Cloud, the son of Inkpadutah. The soldiers opened fire on him at long range with their rifles, but with what effect they did not know, as the Indian did not halt until he reached cover. From there he returned the fire of the soldiers three or
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