USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics &c > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
47
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
The remains of Black Hawk were interred by his family and friends near his cabin on the prairie, a short distance above the old town of Iowaville. The body was placed on a board, or slab, set up in an inclining position, with the feet extending into the ground some fifteen inches and the head elevated above the surface some three feet or more. This was enclosed by placing slabs around it with the ends resting on the ground and meeting at the top, forming a kind of vault. The whole was then covered with dirt and neatly sodded. At the head of the grave was placed a flag-staff thirty feet high, from which floated the American flag until it was worn out by the wind. Interred with the body were a number of his prized and long-treasured relics, including a military suit presented by Jackson's cabinet; a sword pre- sented by Jackson himself; a cane presented by Henry Clay, and another by a British officer; and three silver medals-one presented by Jackson, one by John Quincy Adams, and the other by citizens of Boston. Near the grave a large post was set in the ground, on which were inscribed in Indian characters, emblems commemorating many of his heroic deeds. The grave and flag-staff were enclosed by a rude picket fence in circular form. Here the body remained until July, 1839, when it disappeared. On com- plaint being made by Black Hawk's family, the matter was investigated, and it was finally traced to one Dr. Turner, who then resided at a place called Lex- ington, in Van Buren county. The remains had been taken to Illinois, but at the earnest request of Black Hawk's relatives, Gov. Lucas interposed and had them sent to Burlington. The sons were informed that the remains were in Burlington and went to that place to obtain them. While there it was suggested to them that if taken away they would only be stolen again, and they concluded to leave them where they thought they might be more safely preserved. They were finally placed in a museum in that city, and years after, with a large collection of other valuable relics, were destroyed by the burning of the building. In the meantime the relatives of the renowned chief removed westward with the rest of the tribe, and were finally lost to all knowledge of the white man.
KEOKUK.
Keokuk (Watchful Fox) belonged to the Sac branch of the nation, and was born on Rock river, in 1780. He was an orator, but was also entitled to rank as a warrior, for he possessed courage and energy, but at the same time a cool judgment. He had an intelligent appreciation of the power and greatness of the United States, and saw the futility of Black Hawk's hope to contend successfully against the government. In his first battle, while young, he had killed a Sioux, and for this he was honored with a feast by his tribe.
At the beginning of the Black Hawk War an affair transpired which was dignified by the name of the "Battle of Stillman's Run," in which some three hundred volunteers under Maj. Stillman took prisoners five of Black Hawk's men who were approaching with a flag of truce. One of the prisoners was shot by Stillman's men. Black Hawk had also sent five other men to follow the bearers of the flag. The troops came upon these and killed two of them. The other three reached their camp and gave the alarm." Black Hawk's warriors then charged upon Stillman's advancing troops and completely routed them. This failure to respect the flag of truce so exasperated the Indians that it was with great difficulty that Keokuk could restrain his war- riors from espousing the cause of Black Hawk. Stillman's defeat was fol-
48
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
lowed by a war-dance, in which Keokuk took part. After the dance he called a council of war, and made a speech in which he admitted the justice of their complaints. The blood of their brethren slain by the white men, while bearing a flag of truce, called loudly for vengeance. Said he:
" I am your chief, and it is my duty to lead you to battle, if, after fully con- sidering the matter, you are determined to go. But before you decide on taking this important step, it is wise to inquire into the chances of success. But if you do determine to go upon the war path, I will agree to lead you on one condition, viz .: that before we go we will kill all our old men and our wives and our children, to save them from a lingering death of starvation, and that every one of us determine to leave our homes on the other side of the Mississippi."
Keokuk so forcibly portrayed in other parts of this specch the great power of the United States, and of the hopeless prospect before them, that his warriors at once abandoned all thought of joining Black Hawk.
The name Keokuk signified Watchful Fox. As we have seen, he eventu- ally superseded Black Hawk, and was recognized by the United States as the principal chief of the Sac and Fox nation, which, indeed, had much to do in stinging the pride of the imperious Black Hawk. In person he was strong, graceful and commanding, with fine features and an intelligent countenance. He excelled in horsemanship, dancing, and all athletic exercises. He was courageous and skillful in war, but mild and politic in peace. He had a son, a fine featured, promising boy, who died at Keokuk's village on the Des Moines. Keokuk himself became somewhat dissipated during the later years of his life in Iowa. It was reported that after his removal with his people to the Indian Territory west of the Mississippi, he died of delirium tremens. Iowa has honored his memory in the name of one of her counties, and one of her principal cities.
APPANOOSE.
Appanoose was a chief who presided over a band of the Sacs. His name, in the language of that tribe, signified "A Chief When a Child," indicating that he inherited his position. It was said he was equal in rank with Keo- kuk, but he did not possess the influence of the latter. He was one of the " peace chiefs" during the Black Hawk War. During the last occupation of Iowa soil by the Sacs and Foxes, Appanoose had his village near the site of the present city of Ottumwa. His people cultivated a portion of the ground on which that city is located. He was one of the delegation sent to Washing- ton in 1837, at which time he visited with the other chiefs the city of Boston, where they were invited to a meeting in Fanueil Hall. . On that occasion he made the most animated speech, both in manner and matter, that was deliv- ered by the chiefs. After Keokuk had spoken, Appanoose arose and said:
"You have heard just now what my chief has to say. All our chiefs and warriors are very much gratified by our visit to this town. Last Saturday they were invited to a great house, and now they are in the great council- house. They are very much pleased with so much attention. This we can- not reward you for now, but shall not forget it, and hope the Great Spirit will reward you for it. This is the place which our forefathers once inhabi- ted. I have often heard my father and grandfather say they lived near the sea-coast where the white man first came. I am glad to hear all this from you. I suppose it is put in a book, where you learn all these things. As far as I can understand the language of the white people, it appears to me
-
1
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
49
3
0
INDIANS TRYING A PRISONER.
4
50
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
that the Americans have attained a very high rank among the white people. It is the same with us, though I say it myself. Where we live beyond the Mississippi, I am respected by all people, and they consider me the tallest among them. I am happy that two great men meet and shake hands with cach other."
As Appanoose concluded his speech, he suited the action to the word by extending his hand to Gov. Everett, amid the shouts of applause from the audience, who were not a little amused at the self-complacency of the orator. But few of the incidents in the life of this chief have passed into history. His name has been perpetuated in that of one of the Iowa counties.
WAPELLO.
Wapello, or Waupellow, was one of the minor chiefs of the Sac and Fox Nation. He was born at Prairie du Chien, in 1787. At the time of the erection of Fort Armstrong (1816) he presided over one of the three prin- cipal villages in that vicinity. His village there was on the east side of the Mississippi, near the foot of Rock Island, and about three miles north of the famous Black Hawk village. In 1829 he removed his village to Musca- tine Slough, and then to a place at or near where the town of Wapello, in Louisa county, is now located. Like Keokuk, he was in favor of abiding by the requirements of the treaty of 1804, and opposed the hostilities in which Black Hawk engaged against the whites. He was one of the chiefs that visited Washington in 1837, and his name appears to several treaties relinquishing lands to the United States. He appears to have been a warm personal friend of Gen. Jos. M. Street, of the Sac and Fox agency, and made a request that at his death his remains be interred along side of those of Gen. Street, which request was complied with. He died near the Forks of Skunk river, March 15th, 1842, at the age of 55 years. His remains, with those of Gen. Street, repose near Agency City, in the county which honors his memory with its name. The two graves and the monuments have re- cently been repaired by parties connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, whose line passes within a few rods of them.
POWESHIEK.
Poweshiek was a chief of the same rank with Wapello, and near the same age. He also was one of the chiefs who visited Washington in 1837. When the greater portion of the Sac and Fox nation removed to the Des Moines river, he retained his village on the Iowa river, where he presided over what was known as the Musquawkie band of the Sacs and Foxes. In May, 1838, when Gen. Street organized a party to examine the new purchase made the fall before, with a view of selecting a site for the agency, the expedition was accompanied by about thirty braves, under the command of Poweshiek. At that time the Sacs and Foxes were at war with the Sioux, and after leav- ing their reservation these men were very fearful that they might be sur- prised and cut off by the Sioux. A small remnant of his band make their home on Iowa river, in Tama county, at this time. He also remained the friend of the whites during the Black Hawk war, and the people of Iowa have honored his memory by giving his name to one of their counties.
51
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
PASH-E-PA-HO.
Pash-e-pa-ho, called also the Stabbing Chief, at the time of the treaty of 1804, and until after the Black Hawk war, was head chief among the Sacs. He was also present in St. Louis at the making of that treaty, and was even then well advanced in years. It has been related that he laid a plan to at- tack Fort Madison, not long after its erection. His plan was to gain an entrance to the fort with concealed arms under their blankets, under a pre- tense of holding a council. A squaw, however, had secretly conveyed intel- ligence to the commandant of the garrison of the intended attack, so that the troops were in readiness for them. When Pash-e-pa-hoand his warriors ad- vanced in a body toward the closed gate, it suddenly opened, revealing to the astonished savages a cannon in the passage-way, and the gunner stand- ing with lighted torch in hand ready to fire. Pash-e-pa-ho deemed "discre- tion the better part of valor ", and retreated.
Some time after the plot against Fort Madison, Pash-e-pa-ho made an at- tempt to obtain a lodgement in Fort Armstrong, though in quite a different way. Several of his braves had the year before, while out hunting, fell in with a party of their enemies, the Sioux, and had lifted several of their scalps.
The Sioux complained of this outrage to the Department at Washington, and orders were issued demanding the surrender of the culprits. They were accordingly brought and retained as prisoners in Fort Armstrong, where they had comfortable quarters and plenty to eat during the winter. Having fared sumptuously for several months, without effort on their part, they were re- leased on the payment of a small amount out of the annuities of their tribes, to the Sioux. The next fall Pash-e-pa-ho thought he might avoid the trouble of stocking his larder for the winter. So he voluntarily called on the com- mandant of Fort Armstrong, and informed him that while on a recent hunt he had unfortunately met a Sioux, and had yielded to the temptation to get his scalp. He confessed that he had done a very wrongful act, and wished to save the Great Father at Washington the trouble of sending a letter or- dering his arrest; therefore he would surrender himself as a prisoner. The commandant saw through his scheme to obtain comfortable quarters and good boarding for the winter, and so told liim lie was an honorable Indian, and that his voluntary offer to surrender himself was a sufficient guarantee that he would appear when sent for. That was the last that was heard of the matter. Pash-e-pa-ho was never sent for.
During the first quarter of the present century the Sacs and Foxes were frequently at war with the Iowas. The latter had one of their principal villa- ges on the Des Moines river, near where Black Hawk died many years af- terward. It was here that the last great battle was fought between these tribes. Pash-e-pa-lio was chief in command of the Sacs and Foxes. Black Hawk was also a prominent actor in this engagement, but was subject to his senior, Pash-e-pa-ho. Accounts conflict as to the date, but the eviden- ces of the conflict were plainly visible as late as 1824. The Sacs and Foxes surprised the Iowas while the latter were engaged in running their horses on the prairie, and therefore unprepared to defend themselves. The result was that Paslı-e-pa-ho achieved a decisive victory over the Iowas.
Pash-e-pa-lio was among the chiefs present at the making of the treaty of 1832, when the " Black Hawk Purchase " was made. He was very much given to intemperate habits whenever he could obtain liquor, and it is prob- ble that, like Keokuk, he died a drunkard.
52
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
WISH-E-CO-MA-QUE.
Quite prominent among the Sacs and Foxes, after their removal to Iowa, was a man known by the name of Hardfish, or Wish-e-co-ma-que, as it is in the Indian tongue. He was not a chief, but a brave who rose al- most to the prominence of a chief. He adhered to Black Hawk in his hos- tility toward the whites, and when Black Hawk died, Hardfish became the leader of his band, composed mostly of those who had participated in the Black Hawk war. When the Sacs and Foxes occupied their reservation on the Des Moines river, Hardfish had his village where Eddyville is now lo- cated. It was quite as respectable in size as any of the other villages of the Sacs and Foxes. Hardfish's band was composed of people from the Sac branch of the Sac and Fox nation. One John Goodell was the interpreter for this band. The name of Hardfish was quite familiar to the frontier settlers of Southeastern Iowa.
CHOS-CHUN-CA.
When, in 1834, Gen. Henry Dodge made a treaty with the Winnebagoes for the country occupied by theni in Wisconsin, they were transferred to a strip of land extending west from the Mississippi, opposite Prairie du Chien, to the Des Moines river, being a tract forty miles in width. The chief of the Winnebagoes at that time was Chos-chun-ca, or Big Wave. Soon after their removal to this reservation they were visited by Willard Barrows, one of the pioneers of Davenport, who had an interview with Chos-chun-ca. He found him clothed in a buffalo overcoat, and wearing a high crowned hat. His nose was surmounted by a pair of green spectacles. Mr. Barrows held his interview with the chief just south of the lower boundary of the reservation. Chos-chun-ca was quite reticent as to the affairs of his people, and refused permission to Mr. Barrows to explore the Winnebago reserva- tion, being impressed with the idea that the whites had sent him to seek out all the fine country, and that if their lands were found desirable, then the Indians would be compelled to remove again. Mr. Barrows, however, with- out the chief's permission, passed safely through their territory.
MAU-HAW-GAW.
The greater portion of the territory embraced within the limits of Iowa, was once occupied by a tribe, or nation of Indians, known in history as the Iowas (or Ioways), who for many years maintained an almost constant war- fare with the Sioux, a powerful rival who lived to the north of them. The Iowas were originally the Pan-hoo-chiee tribe, and lived in the region of the lakes, to the northeast, but about the year 1700 they followed their chief, Mau-haw-gaw, to the banks of the Mississippi, and crossing over, settled on the west bank of Iowa river, near its mouth, and there established a village. They called the river on which they established their empire, Ne-o-ho-nee, or "Master of Rivers." For some years they prospered and multiplied, but the Sioux began to envy thiem the prosperity which they enjoyed, and with no good intentions came down to visit them. Sending to Mau-haw-gaw the pipe of peace, with an invitation to join them in a dog feast, they made great professions of friendship. The Iowa chief, having confidence in their protestations of good feeling, accepted the invitation. In the midst of the
53
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
feast the perfidious Sioux suddenly attacked and killed the unsuspecting Mau-haw-gaw. This outrage was never forgiven by the Iowas.
MA-HAS-KAH.
One of the most noted chiefs of the Iowas was Ma-has-kah (White Cloud), a descendent of Mau-haw-gaw. He led his warriors in eighteen battles against the Sioux on the north, and the Osages on the south, but never failed to achieve a victory. He made his home on the Des Moines river, about one hundred miles above the mouth, and must have been some- thing of a Mormon, for it is said he had seven wives. In 1824 he was one of a party of chiefs who visited Washington. He left his home on the Des Moines to go down the river on his way to join his party, and when near where the city of Keokuk is now located, he stopped to prepare and eat his venison. He had just commenced his meal when some one struck him on the back. Turning round, he was surprised to see one of his wives, Rant- che-wai-me (Female Flying Pigeon), standing with an uplifted tomahawk in her hand. She accosted him with -" Am I your wife ? Are you my hus- band ? If so, I will go with you to Maw-he-hum-ne-che (the American big house), and see and shake the hand of In-co-ho-nee", meaning the Great Father, as they called the President. Ma-has-kah answered: "Yes, you are iny wife ; I am your husband ; I have been a long time from you; I am glad to see you ; you are my pretty wife, and a brave man always loves to see a pretty woman." Ma-has-kah went on to Washington accompanied by his "pretty wife ", Rant-che-wai-mie, who received many presents, but saw many things of which she disapproved. When she returned, she called to- gether the matrons and maidens of the tribe, and warned them against the vices and follies of their white sisters. This good Indian woman was killed by being thrown from her horse, some time after her return from Washing- ton. In 1834 Ma-has-kah was also killed about sixty miles from his home, on the Nodaway, by an enemy who took a cowardly advantage of him. At the time of his death he was fifty years of age. After his death all his sur- viving wives went into mourning and poverty, according to the custom of the tribe, except one named Mis-so-rah-tar-ra-haw (Female Deer that bounds over the prairie), who refused to the end of her life to be comforted, saying that her husband "was a great brave, and was killed by dogs", meaning low, vulgar fellows.
Soon after the death of Ma-has-kah, his son of the same name, at the age of twenty-four, became the chief of the Iowas. His mother was Rant-che- wai-me, whose tragic death is mentioned above. He also visited Washing- ton in the winter of 1836-7, for the purpose of obtaining redress for injus- tice, which he claimed had been done to his people by the government, in failing to keep intruders from their lands, and in disregarding other stipu- lations of the treaty made with his father in 1825.
SI-DOM-I-NA-DO-TAH.
When the whites began to make settlements on the upper Des Moines, the region about Fort Dodge and Spirit Lake was inhabited by Sioux In- dians, made np principally of that division of the great Sioux or Dacotah nation known by the name of Sisiton Sioux. When, in 1848, the govern- Inent surveys of the lands purchased north of the Raccoon Forks were in pro- gress, Mr. Marsh, of Dubuque, set out with his party to run the correction
54
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
line from a point on the Mississippi, near Dubuque, to the Missouri river. In this work he was not molested until he crossed the Des Moines, when on the west bank of the river, he was met by a party of Sioux, under the lead- ership of their chief, Si-dom-i-na-do-tah, who notified Mr. Marsh and his party that they should proceed no farther, 'as the country belonged to the Indians. The Sioux then left, and Mr. Marsh concluded to continue his work. He had not proceeded more than a mile when Si-dom-i-na-do-tah and his band returned and surrounded the party, robbing them of every- thing. They took their horses, destroyed their wagons and surveying instru- ments, destroyed the land-marks, and drove the surveying party back to the east side of the river. This, and other outrages committed on families who, in the fall of 1849, ventured to make claims on the upper Des Moines, led to the establishment of a military post at Fort Dodge in 1850.
In the winter of 1846-7 one Henry Lott, an adventurous border char- acter, had, with his family, taken up his residence at the mouth of Boone river, in what is now Webster county, and within the range of Si-dom-i-na- do-tah's band. Lott had provided himself with some goods and a barrel of whisky, expecting to trade with the Indians, and obtain their furs and robes. In a short time he was waited upon by the chief and six of his braves and informed that he was an intruder and that he must leave within a certain time. The time having expired, and Lott still remaining, the Indians destroyed lis property, shooting his stock and robbing his bee-hives. Lott and his step-son made their way to the nearest settlement, at Pea's Point, about 16 miles south, and reported that his family had been murdered by the Indians, as he doubtless thought they would be after he left. John Pea and half a dozen other white men, accompanied by some friendly Indians of another tribe, who happened to be in that vicinity, set out with Lott for the mouth of Boone river. When they arrived they found that the family had not been tomahawked, as he had reported. One little boy, however, aged about twelve years, had attempted to follow his father in his flight, by going down the Des Moines river on the ice. Being thinly clad, the little fellow froze to death after traveling on the ice a distance of about twenty miles. The body of the child was subsequently found. The sequel shows that Lott was de- termined on revenge.
In November, 1853, Lott ventured about thirty miles north of Fort Dodge, where he pretended to make a claim, in what is now Humboldt county. He took with him several barrels of whisky and some goods, and he and his step-son built a cabin near what is now known as Lott's creek in that county. Si-dom-i-na-do-tah had his cabin on the creek about a mile west of Lott's. In January, 1854, Lott and his step-son went to the cabin of the old chief and told him that they had seen, on their way over, a drove of elk feeding on the bottom lands, and induced the old man to mount his pony, with gun in hand, to go in pursuit of the elk. Lott and his step-son fol- lowed, and when they had proceeded some distance they shot and killed Si- dom-i-na-do-tah. That same night they attacked and killed six of the chief's family, including his wife and two children, his aged mother, and two young children she had in charge-including with the chief, seven victims in all. Two children, a boy of twelve, and a girl of ten years of age, escaped by hiding themselves. Some days after, the Indians reported the murders at Fort Dodge, thinking at first that the slaughter had been perpetrated by some of their Indian enemies. Investigation soon revealed the fact that Lott and his step-son had committed the deed. Their cabin was found burned down, and
55
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. .
a slight snow on the ground showed the track of their wagon in a circuitous ronte southward, avoiding Fort Dodge. Intelligence of them was received at various points where they had been trying to sell furs and other articles, and where the chief's pony was noticed to be in their possession. Having several days start, they made their way across the Missouri and took the plains for California, where, it was subsequently learned, Lott was killed in a quarrel. It is believed by many of the old settlers of Northern Iowa that this outrage of Henry Lott was the cause of that other tragedy, or rather series of tragedies, in the history of Northern Iowa, known as the "Spirit Lake Massacre."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.