USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time biographical sketches; portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc. > Part 2
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The white people are constantly "on the make," and learning at a very early day that buffalo and other game were abundant upon the prairies of this section, a number of them came here to seek the furs and skins that were taken by the Indians, and these whites extend- ed their search for game and furs, as far West as the Rocky Mountains. It is supposed that the Missonri River was traversed as early as the last century by whites, even to its head. In 1804, the Government first organized an ex- pedition, commanded by Lewis and Clark, to explore these extensive prairies and investigate the condition and length of the rivers coursing through them. This expedition started from
St. Louis, and passed up the Missouri River to its source, after which they crossed the moun- tains dividing it from Oregon, and thence pro- ceeded to the Pacific coast.
History informs us that the Indians flocked from every direction to examine the boats and equipments, and also to solieit presents. Fre- quent assemblages and talks were held by the commanders of the expedition with the Indians, and one of these friendly meet- ings took place at a point near the north- western corner of Pottawattamie County, causing that spot to be called Council Bluffs. In time, a fort was erected at or near this spot, by the United States Government, and it was designated on all the maps of the northwest territory, for fifty years, as " Coun- cil Bluffs." In 1853, the citizens of this county seat, by a special act of the General Assembly of this State, adopted the name, and now Coun- cil Bluff's stands among the great cities of the Northwest, and is the terminus of the Union Pacific Railway.
The dealers in furs and hides of various kinds, continued in their hazardous and profit- able business, and for the first half of the pres- ent century, their agents, many of them French, or descendants of Frenchmen by Indian women, labored incessantly in propelling their loaded boats or canoes up the rapid Missouri River, where they traded with the Indians for furs, ete., and then loaded the same boats, and float- ed back to St. Louis. This was the constant work of mauy persons for years. Some of the old traders are still living in this county, and they can give many interesting facts in relation to the early trials and adventures of the border people. Mr. Francis Gnittar, who was a trader among the Indians, relates the circumstance of his encampment under the bluffs, when on a trading expedition, in 1827, fifty-five years ago. He still lives in Council Bluffs, and is in the enjoyment of excellent health, and presents the appearance of a man of fifty or fifty-five years.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
The traders had their regular camps, or trad- ing points, along the Missouri River, and the Indians usually understood when to be at their stopping points, and would be on hand with their furs and pelts, to trade for such articles as they wanted. One of these stations was situated at what was known as Hart's Bluffs, in 1824, but is at present known as Mynster's Springs, where an abundance of water gushes from the bluffs at that point. It is also stated that farther down the river, and near the south- western corner of the county, was another cele- brated post for Indians and traders to meet, known as Traders' Point, where Peter A. Sarpy, a noted character in all these regions in the early days, had his headquarters, and accumu- lated a fortune. Mr. Sarpy, like many other Frenehmen, married an Indian woman.
It is impossible for any writer, however well posted in relation to names, events, dates or discoveries, to satisfy all classes as to the facts. Speculations have always existed and will exist to the end of time as to the derivation of In- dian names. etc. Each writer has his own speculation or the speculation of some one who professes to be posted in relation to the meaning of the Indian names, and in a recent article in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, we find the name of Iowa discussed at some length. It cannot fail to be interesting to the people of this county and the State, to here transcribe some of the speculations of the writer of this commuication, in relation to the meaning and the derivation of the name "Iowa." Indian tribes generally have their own ideas and meanings in relation to all names, and they generally give things names to represent objects either imaginary or real, but as frequently imaginary. In early days, on the plains, hun- dreds of Indians would assemble at some . point, and there have a dance in worship to the God of game particularly when game was plenty. They named the rivers and streams in accordance with some of their erude ideas
of deity. The writer has had many a conver- sation with various tribes, and he found that all had some vague idea of a great Ruler, or Rulers, for most the tribes have various gods. They have the god of fowls and fishes; the god of buffalo, elk and deer, ete. They wor- ship these separately, and in their season, and on occasions of this kind they dance, race and feast in a style that would put to shame most of the jubilees gotten up by the more civilized races, for their enjoyments seem to be com- plete. No bickering is found in the camp, but each and all make the best of the occasion.
A writer to the Globe-Democrat gives as the derivation of the name " Iowa," " Ah-hee-oo-ba," meaning " sleepers." But another correspond- ent to the same paper. who claims to be post- ed in relation to the tribes of Iowa Indians. and signs himself " L. F .. " says : " It is well settled and understood that the State was named from the River Iowa, and that the river derived its name from the Indian tribe of that name. The Indian word was Kiowa, and so it is print- ed on the early maps of the Territory. Two traditions exist in relation to this tribe. One comes from the Omahas, who called them the ' Gray-Snows,' from the fact that they left the parent tribe in the far north or the Superior country during a snow storm, and the snow falling and mingling with the sand, gave it a gray appearance, hence the term ' Gray Snows,' or those who went off' in the 'gray-snow.' We are here informed that the Indian word was ' Py-ho-ja,' which was corrupted by traders to ' Py-hoo-ia,' and then Anglicized to Iowa. The writer is of opinion that this version is quite mythical, if not very questionable."
But we will now follow the second and more reasonable tradition, as given by this corre- spondent. The history is very interesting, and will bear being repeated here. The writer says : "The probable correct tradition is that these Indians came from the upper lake region. They were originally called the 'Pan-hoo-
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
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chees.' Nearly two hundred years ago, a large body of the tribe started off southwestward with their chief, Man-han-gaw. They crossed the Mississippi River, moved southward, and settled on the west bank of the Kiowa River. They established a village, which they named Ne-o-ho-nee, and became prosperous, and this excited the jealousy of the marauding Sioux on the north. They were strong and powerful. The question arose, how to destroy their head, and the Sioux, with their traditional deceit and treachery, sent a deputation to Man-han-gaw to invite him to join with the Sioux in a dog- feast. They presented him with a pipe of peace, and smoked it with him as an earnest of their good faith. After a long consultation and earnest entreaty, Man-han-gaw accepted. He paid the penalty of his trust by being assassin- ated, an act of treachery which was never for- given or forgotten. Man-han-gaw was suc- ceeded as chief by Ma-has-ka, or White Cloud, a- direct descendent. He was a noted warrior, and tradition says, led his braves successfully through eighteen battles with the Sioux. He was never beaten, but in consequence of his success, was betrayed and assassinated. He was succeeded by his son, Ma-has-ka, from whom the county of Mahaska derived its name. Continuous wars reduced the tribe so that in 1824, when the old Fox chief, Black Hawk, in his triumphal march westward, came upon them, they were completely destroyed as a tribe and fled across the Missouri River, or were seat- tered over the territory. Subsequently, when the Foxes, under Black Hawk and Sacs, were defeated and conquered by the whites, they formed a part of the confederation of the rem- nants of the conquered tribes in the territory of which were Foxes, Sacs, Pottawatomies and Kiowas. This confederated body was called Musquakie, a small remnant of whom still ex- ists in Tama County."
Again we are told, on the authority of one " who had much to do with the Fox and Sac
Indians, who was personally familiar with their traditions, and was personally acquainted with Poweshiek, Wapello, Kenesaw. Keokuk, Mahaska and other prominent chiefs, and who often sought out the traditions of the tribes, that the word 'Kiowa' always meant 'cross- ing over,' whether used by Fox, Sac or Potta- watomie. This meaning is in consonance with later history. The Musquakies of to-day use the same word in the same sense. So when the offshoot of the Pan-hoo-chees crossed over the river, they called the river Kiowa, or the river they crossed over. Tribes eastward called them Kiowas, or the Indians who crossed the river. When Black Ilawk, in his march, entered the territory west of the Mississippi, he called it Kiowa, or where he crossed over. When the earliest white people came to the territory, in advance of settlements, at the trading-posts, when the bands of the several chiefs came in, and were asked where they came from, the reply was, ' Kiowa Chedapa,' or across Skunk River, Kiowa meaning over or across, and Chi- eaqua Skunk or Stinking River. so called from the wild onions found in profusion along its banks. Perhaps they would say .Ne-ko-ma- puk-a-chee keo-sau-qua-sepo-kiou,' meaning their ponies had run away across the dark river. Ne-ko-ma, pony ; puk-a-chee, run away ; keo-sauqua, dark, inky ; sepo, river ; and kiou, over. In whatever connection the Indians used the word ' Kiowa,' it signified over, or the act of crossing. It had no other meaning, and every tribe in Iowa so used it."
This writer to the Globe-Democrat further says : "There is no poetry in it. Every one familiar with Indian history knows their vo- cabulary was formed from events. Words took rise from circumstances, and one word was frequently used to express many things, or was interpreted, together with some sign, gesture or incident, to vary its signification. From Ma- haska I, down to this time, Kiowa has signified crossing over, and that antedates Black Hawk's
16
HHISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
expedition across the Mississippi. It may be well here to remark that the Indians from the south to the north ealled the Des Moines River (Keo-sau-qua Sepo), or dark. inky, rolling river, from the black color of the water in the spring and fall, the result of the washings of the burned-ont prairies along the banks."
It may be interesting to many of the readers of this history to know the derivation of some of the Indian words, and for this reason, we will quote the following from a writer who claims to be versed in the Indian language. He gives a number of words in Indian with the translations, as follows :
INDIAN.
ENGLISHI.
Miss-sisk, Grass.
Mis-sis-ke-kon, Weeds.
Mis-is-que,
Medicine herbs.
Mis-sis-ke-wa-keek, Field of luxuriant herbage. Mis-ku-tak. Meadow.
The writer interprets this last word as being " derived from miss, prairie. and Shu-tak. tire, literally meaning grass fire, an idea apparent to all conversant with burning prairies." It was from these names that the Mississippi River was so ealled, as will be shown by this quotations from the same writer, who says : " The meadows or broad-grass lands along the river were called Mis-ke-tak, and the Indians who occupied the adjoining lands on either side, were called ' Mis-she-ten,' or 'Meadow Indians.' The river was called ยท Mis-sis-wa-keek,' sepo, or literally, Meadow River. or river of Meadows or grass.'
Here we will give the French rule as it ap- pears in history. It is stated that Marquette, in 1673, recorded the name Mississipy ; Claude Dablon, in 1671, had it Mississippo ; Francia LeMercien, in 1666, wrote it Messipi; Hen- nipin, in 1680, wrote Mechaspi, and D. Coxe, in 1689, Meschasabe.
This will show that the writers attempted to enunciate the articulate sounds of the Indian speech. The same sound in the above quota-
tions are attempted to be given in similar character in English.
Some of the Indians here described, came to this country with the Pottawatomies, and remained here until their removal from this section to Kansas. The red men have always, and in every country, given way to the sturdy, industrions white people, and the same results will continue until the whites will hold every foot of land in the United States.
As late as 1856 and 1857, the Indians, we are informed by JIon. C. D. Bloomer in the Annals of Iowa, had free access to the streets of Council Bluffs, and traversed many sections of this county. At this time the Omahas and Pawnees predominated, the Pottawatomies having removed farther south. These red- skins did not stand upon any ceremony when they desired to visit the houses of the whites, but came and left at pleasure and without in- vitation. We are here told, " they would open doors and walk into a house with the most astonishing coolness, and when they could not do this, they would plant themselves before the windows and watch the movements of the in- mates." At about this time, " Mr. Francis Guittar, kept an Indian grocery store, on the corner of Broadway and Main streets, and here the Indians assembled in large numbers, when shooting at dimes. jumping, running, dancing and singing were indulged in, and enjoyed by the crowd. Mr. Guittar having passed many years among them as a fur-trader, conld speak their language readily," and could explain to the assembled audiences the meaning of the red people, and also their wants.
The same writer describes a lively scene that took place in this city in 1855, on the occasion of the Indians receiving their annual payment from the Government in gold. He says : " Very soon the intelligence spread abroad that the Indians would arrive to buy horses, and in a short time nearly every horse and pony in the place were on the streets for sale. The red
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
men were quite good on a bargain when horse flesh was to be bought, and trading went on actively all that day. Horses and ponies were flying in every direction, red or white riders showing them to the crowd. Gold was the only medium of exchange that passed current, and eagles were traded for horses and ponies in large numbers, and when night eame the Indians retired to the bottoms with their ani- mals, while their former owners were engaged in counting up their gold." Those who have seen one of these gatherings, can understand what a lively time it makes. Many of the In- dians get on " high horses," while some of the whites take a jubilee over their gains.
But we will again recur to the Pottawato- mie Indians, from whom this county takes its name, and in referring to history we find that this tribe lived in Indiana, the southern part of Michigan and eastern part of Illinois, before removing to Iowa. We are told "their early history was very obscure," and yet we learn that the " United States has had more business transactions with them than with any other In- dians." It is stated that they were received into the friendship and protection of the Gov- ernment, by a treaty, as early as the 9th of January. 1789 ; and since that time, and pre- vious to their removal to Iowa, the Govern- ment held thirty-five treaties with this nation."
In history, it is stated that, "in 1755, the French, Pottawatomies and other Indians of the West, were combined in a war against Eng- land, which caused a gloomy prospect for the future growth of the colonies, and the emigra- tion to the West, for a time, was nearly cut off." The " British determined to retrieve their possessions in the West, and for this purpose sent out two regiments of veteran soldiers, un- der command of Gen. Edward Braddock, who had learned the art of war on the battle-fields of Europe, but had little idea of Indian war- fare. He landed at Alexandria with much pomp and show, and being clothed with the fullest
power of the King, he was treated with the greatest attention by the Governors and officers of the colonies, and the expectation of success reached the highest pitch. With the skill of an experienced General, Braddock soon had everything in readiness, and with unusual dispatch, marched with his army across the Alleghanies, and was descending the Mononga- hela, when, on the 9th of July, they met with the combined force of the enemy, who were concealed in ambush. In almost an incredibly short time, seven hundred men and their offi- eers lay dead on the field, and the advance col- umn, panic-stricken, commenced a flight which nothing could check. The General himself fell, and that proud army, which in the early morning had crossed the Monongahela, in gal- lant array, with drums beating and banners flying, fled like sheep before wolves-aban- doning their eannon, amunition and their wounded to the unmercifnl foe. Prominent among the red men of the West, who achieved this signal victory, were the Pottawatomies."
We find that in " the war carried on against the English, after Great Britain and France bad made peace, under the lead of Pontiac, the Pot- tawatomies were the first to join the confeder- acy, and took a prominent part in the siege. In the summer of 1790, hostile demonstrations were apprehended from the Indians of the Wa- bash Valley, and Col. Hammer was directed to advance into that country and endeavor to bring them to terms." On the "30th of Sep- tember, he left for duty, with 1,000 men, but when he arrived near the Miami of the Lakes, he met the combined force of Pottawatomies Shawnees and Miamis, and was forced to make a disorderly retreat, with a loss of nearly one- third of his men."
" This invasion of their country by Col. Ham- mer was considered by the Indians as a decla- ration of war, and the Pottawatomies, notwith- standing they had been received into the friend- ship of the United States Government. joined
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
the Miamis and other hostile tribes against the whites.
It will be observed, by this history, that the Pottawatomies, long before removing to Iowa, figured extensively in the battles of this country. They occupied the position of friends to our Government untit they supposed their country was to be taken from them, and when this time came, they were ready for battle. In whatever place we find this tribe of Indians, they appear to have held important posts -- seemed to be leaders. In 1812, they are found, !
after some hesitancy, taking sides with Tecum- seh and the British, and during the war they remained, on that side, but after the treaty of Ghent, they again returned and placed themselves under the protection of the United States Government, and an agreement was entered into between them and the Government to mutually forgive and forget past difficulties. Pottawattamie County, like these Indians, will occupy a prominent place in the history of the State of Iowa and the nation.
CHAPTER II .*
GROWTH OF THE COUNTY-EARLY SETTLERS-CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES-THE OLD BLOCK-HOUSE -OLD MILL- DEPARTURE OF THE POTTAWATOMIES-KANESVILLE-SETTLEMENT OF THE MORMONS-THEIR ORGANIZATION AND INFLUENCE-THEIR PART EN THIE MEXICAN WAR-THEIR ENTERPRISE, ETC .- DECLINE OF THEIR SUPREMACY AND DEPARTURE FOR UTAHI-EARLY POLITICS-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, ETC.
HEN you look at the present growth and condition of Council Bluffs and Pottamattamie County, you will be astonished to learn how recently the red men of the forests occupied this territory. The writer finds re- corded in the Annals of Iowa, that "in 1838, the Government of the United States removed the Pottawatomie Indians from the Platte por- chase in Missouri, to the Southwestern part of Iowa, with their headquarters in Pottawatta- mie County, where Council Bluff's now stands." A number of agents, mechanics and employes accompanied the Indians to their new home, among whom was David Hardin, who was sent by the Government to instruct the red men in the art of farming. Mr. Hardin landed at Traders' Point, with his family, consisting of his wife and seven sons, two of whom, Richard and Martin D., are still residents, and among the oldest white inhabitants of Western Iowa.
This same history informs us that in 1839, two companies of United States troops landed here, having come up the Missouri River on a steamboat. They at once proceeded to erect a fort or block-house, on what is now the eastern part of Council Bluffs. At about the same period, two Catholic missionaries came to the same point, and at once established a mission among the Indians. These missionaries were permitted to use the block-house for religious meetings, and they erected a log cabin for their own accommodations. As late as 1855, the block-house was still standing, and it was sur- mounted by a rude cross, emblematic of the faith and zeal of these pious pioneers in this region of country. These Catholics also estab- lished a burying-ground in the vicinity of the fort, where the dead received a Christian burial.
The United States Government erected a mill on Musketo Creek, about two miles from
*By W. T. Giles.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
the Missouri Valley, with Mr. S. E. Wieks as miller for the Indians.
The history of the Pottawatomies while in lowa, is the history of most Indians to the present time. It is said of them, " they did not make any rapid progress in the arts of civiliza- tion." Their squaws cultivated some small patches of corn, while the men and boys spent nearly all their time in hunting and fishing. Game was plenty, even buffalo and elk were found east of the Missouri River. The Indians remained here till 1846 and 1847, when they sold their possessions to the Government, by treaty, on June 5, 1816, and removed to Kan- sas, where, what are left of them still remain.
was also excellent, and it was not long till Win- ter Quarters was almost deserted, for many of these people who did not go to Salt Lake, moved into Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and some of them are among its most wealthy and respected citizens of to-day.
In 1846, many of the Mormons arrived in this county from Nauvoo in time to plant and secure erops for the season, and many more arrived the following season. They scattered over the county, and many went to the adjoin- ing counties, selecting localities in the groves and near the beautiful little streams and springs of pure waters. It was not long till the timber covering the bluffs and skirting the water courses, was cut down and converted into cab- ins and barns by these new settlers. In many cases where timber was scarce, caves were made in hillsides, and were occupied as places of shelter to protect these families from the wild storms that frequently visit these prairies.
The sale and departure of the Pottawatomies from this section of country, left it open for the settlement of the followers of Joseph Smith. who was killed while in prison, in Nauvoo, Ill. These people were called Latter Day Saints, and were very deluded on the subject of re- ligion. It was generally supposed that Joseph A history of this county would be very im- perfect unless it would give an extended his- tory of the early settlement of the Latter Day Saints here ; and that we may be enabled to more perfectly do this, we will again recur to a statement made by Mr. Bloomer, in the An- nals of Iowa, in which he says : "The valley of Indian Creek, with the adjacent bluffs and the high table-lands stretching westward to the Missouri River, were, from the first, the center and headquarters of this new community. Here a village of log cabins speedily arose, numbering its population by the thousands, and here a mammoth tabernacle was erected, of logs, capable of accommodating one thou- sand worshipers. Orson Hyde, priest, editor, writer and lawyer, was installed as President of the quorum of the select twelve, and here his people dwelt for many months, unmolested the outside world. The wild whistle of the locomotive did not disturb the dreams of these people ; even the echo of the stage driver's Smith, like Brigham Young, was a polygamist but some of the followers of Joseph, who still live in this county, deny this, and contend that such was not in accord with that supposed saints teachings. His death occurred in 1844, and in a year or two after, the Mormons, head- ed by Brigham Young, turned their faces west- ward, crossed Iowa and landed on the borders of the Missouri River. In 1846, Young and bis followers again changed their location, and this time settled at what was known as Winter Quarters, on the west side of the Missouri Riv- er, where they remained until the following spring, when the saints arose and marched to Salt Lake City, arriving there on the 24th day of July, 1847. Of course, all the Mormons did not go to Salt Lake in this season, for many remained in Winter Quarters, to await the news from those who had gone. These people con- ; and undisturbed by the surgings and strifes of tinued to emigrate for Salt Lake, as the news of the beauty of the country was sounded afar by those who had settled there. The climate
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