History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 12

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > History of La Salle County, Illinois > Part 12

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).

At night after the battle Shabbona with a com- pany of warriors went to the fatal spot and found the body of Tecumseh. Near it lay the body of a fine-looking warrior, decorated with plumes and war paint, scalped. The soldiers no doubt took him for the chief. Tecumseh was dressed in plainer buckskin with no decoration but a medal received from the British.

Years afterward in Van Buren's administra- tion, when Colonel Johnson was Vice President of the United States, Shabbona met him in Wash- ington and was introduced to many of his friends. Colonel Johnson also gave him a gold ring which he wore the rest of his life and which was buried with him.

RESCUES A WHITE MAN.

Another case showing Shabbona's noble in- stincts : After the battle of Frenchtown, Jan-

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

uary, 1813, a number of wounded American prisoners were confined in a cabin guarded by the British. The guard was overpowered by the savages, who began killing the captives. Shab- bona, hearing the cries of the wounded, rushed in and being a powerful man threw the Indians right and left and stopped their savage work. The only one rescued was Lieutenant Selby, of Kentucky, a nephew of Governor Selby. Shab- bona carried him in his arms to the British hos- pital where he visited him every day to minister to his wants.

Twenty years after, Shabbona was in Washing- ton, and with other chiefs was standing on the steps of the Capitol talking, when a gentleman stepped up and extended his hand and said, "I believe I met you at Frenchtown." It was Lieu- tenant Selby. He took Shabbona to his hotel, where he remained the rest of his stay the guest of Lieutenant Selby. He showed him many kindnesses, introducing him to his friends as the man who saved his life.

THE INDIAN BOUNDARY LINE.

The "Old Indian Boundary Line" marked on the map of La Salle County, was surveyed in 1819. A treaty had been formed with the In- dians in 1816 which ceded all the land now known as the Military Tract, that west of the Illinois River to the Mississippi, from the mouth of the Illinois to the mouth of the Rock River, also a tract south and west of Chicago south of a line from the lake to Rock Island. The line runs from a point nine miles north of the mouth of the Chicago River to a point in Kendall County, thence in a direct line to Rock Island. Though twenty-eight of the Pottowatomie chiefs had signed the treaty many bands of warriors re- sisted the sale of their lands. They threatened to kill any surveyors or settlers who should tres- pass on their territory. But in 1819 John C. Sullivan under the direction of the Indian com- missioners began to run the boundary line. He was accompanied by a company of soldiers from Fort Dearborn. But they took the precaution to employ Shabbona, who could be trusted and who had great influence with the Indians. He and his warriors accompanied the surveying party over the entire route, the Indian hunters supplying the company with meat.

SHABBONA PROTECTS A BOAT CREW.

In the summer of 1824 John Kinzie, the In- dian trader at Chicago, brought a boat load of goods up the river from St. Louis. He met with

no difficulty until he arrived at the rapids at Starved Rock. While trying to get over the rapids, the crew was hailed by a half-breed named George Forque, who inquired where they were going and what they had on board. Having obtained the information he went back to his band near a spring where Utica now stands. The leader was a white man named Mason, who had with him ten Indians as murderous as himself.

When they learned of the goods on board a plan was formed to wait until the crew had gone to sleep, kill them all, secure the goods and burn the boat. Mason sent a scout to learn where the boat was tied up for the night.

It was drawn into a bayou above the Rock on the north side of the river. The crew being tired from a hard day's toil and fearing no danger, all retired for the night. Every preparation was made by Mason and his Indians to execute their crime. Forque, however, though favoring the robbery, was opposed to murder. Persisting in their purpose, he refused to take part and left the band.

He knew that Shabbona and some of his band were encamped at the mouth of the Fox River near the spring. Forque mounted his pony and hastened to Shabbona's camp and informed him of Mason's design. The chief at once decided to prevent the deed if possible. Arousing his men from sleep they went out into the rain to catch their ponies that were grazing on the prairie. Making all haste they arrived near the place, tied their ponies and secreted them- selves in the willows where the attacking party must pass. They were just in time. Mason and his men came quietly toward the boat. Shabbona sprang out and caught Mason by the arm. The Indians fled and were soon followed by their leader. But Shabbona and his men remained at their posts until morning.

The next day the boatmen proceeded on their journey, not knowing how near they had been to death's door. When they reached the upper rapids where Marseilles now is, they found they could go no farther. Kinzie now left the boat in charge of a few men and proceeded to Chicago to secure ox teams to take the goods overland. The crew thought it strange that a band of eight Indians followed them, camping near the boat every night, seeming to have no particular busi- ness there, yet not making their purpose known. As soon as Kinzie came back they disappeared as mysteriously as they came.

Kinzie never knew how his life had been spared. When he and Shabbona were both dead, several Indians passed through Chicago on their way to Washington, calling on the son of Mr.

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

Kinzie, one of them told this story and informed him that he was one of the eight Indians who guarded his father's boat.

SHABBONA'S SERVICES IN THE WINNEBAGO WAR.

In the summer of 1827, the Winnebagoes be- gan hostilities against the lead miners near Ga- lena. When this became known it caused con- sternation in the widely scattered settlements in the northern part of the state. General Cass, the Indian commissioner, passed up the Illinois to Chicago and held "talks" with the chiefs on the way. He stayed with Dr. David Walker over night at Ottawa. There were but three cabins on the south bluff at that time. The few set- tlers began a fort on the farm now owned by the heirs of Colonel Hitt. The Indians showing no signs of joining the Winnebagoes, it was never finished.

Two chiefs, one the son of Winneshiek, the other a brother of Red Bird, came to Shabbona's village to enlist the co-operation of the Potto- watomies. Shabbona received them with cordial hospitality, made a dog feast and spent the day with songs and dances. The next day the visitors having indicated their wish to speak, were invited to give their talk under the shade of the trees and surrounded by all the warriors. They re- vealed their purpose to unite all the Indian nations and drive the settlers out. Shabbona replying said, "In my youthful days I have seen large herds of buffaloes on these prairies, and elk were found in every grove, but they are no more here, having gone toward the setting sun. For hundred of miles no white man lived; but now trading posts and settlers are found here and there throughout the country. In a few years the smoke from their cabins will be seen to ascend from every grove and the prairies will be covered with their cornfields. Like the elk and the buffalo the red man must leave the land of his youth and find a home in the west. The armies of the white man are without number like the sands of the sea. Ruin will follow all the tribes that go to war with them."

A vote was taken and the warriors decided to remain at peace. The Winnebagoes were dis- appointed for they knew Shabbona's influence, but did not abandon their purpose. They con- tinued visiting different bands. Big Thunder, a chief living near where Belvidere now stands, agreed to go to the aid of the Winnebagoes. Shabbona did not simply content himself with remaining at peace. He mounted his pony and visited his brother chiefs counseling them not to go to war. Big Thunder was persuaded to send back the wampum and remain at peace.

He did not succeed so well with Big Foot,

who lived near Lake Geneva, then called Big Foot Lake. He remained firm in his determina- tion to go to war when the proper time arrived. Soon after Big Foot and his band went to Chicago to draw their annual payment from the government. Their conduct excited the suspicion of the whites. The night after drawing their pay, they painted their faces and danced about the agency house, occasionally giving the war whoop. The next night the fort was struck by lightning and a number of the houses burned. Instead of lending a hand the Indians stood by and refused to help extinguish the flames. They remained in camp a few days and their action seemed strange and unfriendly. Instead of going away in daytime they left secretly at night.

The citizens called a meeting at which they decided to send messengers to Big Foot's village to ask an explanation of his strange conduct. Shabbona and Billy Caldwell were selected. When they approached the village Billy Cald- well secreted himself where he could observe what took place and Shabbona rode into the village. At the sight of Shabbona Big Foot became very angry, accusing him of being a friend of the whites and a traitor to his people. If it were not for him and Billy Caldwell the Pottowatomies would unite with the Winneba- goes and drive the whites out of the country. Shabbona replied that to make war on the whites would only bring ruin upon themselves. Big Foot became so angry that he would have toma- hawked Shabbona had not the warriors inter- ferred. They however, disarmed him, bound him, and placed him under guard.

Billy Caldwell hastened away to Chicago to report that Shabbona was a prisoner and might be killed. This caused great grief for the whites had known Shabbona for several years as a true friend. But to their great delight Shabbona came riding into the fort, his pony nearly ex- hausted. At a council of Big Foot's band it was decided that other Pottowatomies and the whites would avenge the death of Shabbona. Big Foot and four warriors expected to follow him and slay him secretly. A friend warned Shabbona of this and he so sped his pony that the would- be assassins were unable to overtake him.

IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

Black Hawk was a Sac Indian who early in his youth showed great daring. While his com- panions were yet boys fit only to associate with the squaws and help to do their work, Black Hawk had in a most daring way taken his first scalp and was publicly initiated into the ranks of warriors. He soon became the leader of a band who, like himself, were satisfied only when on the

6 .

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

war path. The Sacs and Foxes being constantly at war with the Osages in Iowa, he gained dis- tinction as a scalp hunter. He was ambitious but was devoid of the qualities of intellect and moral courage that make a great man. He and his followers had their homes on the point of land between the Rock River and the Missis- sippi, where the city of Rock Island now stands. In 1804, a Sac Indian killed a white man at St. Louis and was imprisoned. Several repre- sentatives of the Sacs went to St. Louis to secure his release. They were drunk most of the time and understood little of what they did. They signed a paper which they supposed transferred a little land as a ransom for their brother. In time it became known that they had sold the land on which Saukenuk, Black Hawk's village, was located. They had no authority to transfer land and Black Hawk never recognized the treaty. And not being a chief himself his objection had no weight. He and his band con- tinued to occupy the land undisturbed.

When the War of 1812 began Black Hawk offered his services to the United States. But it was not the policy of our country to enlist sav- ages in warfare. Black Hawk felt chagrined and offered his services to the British and was eagerly accepted. He and a band of his braves were present at the siege and defeat of Fort Meigs on the Maumee. Black Hawk became discouraged and returned home. After this his band was known as the British Band of the Sacs. This participation in the war against the United States made difficulty between the Sac Nation and the United States. Keokuk, the chief, was always friendly and opposed to hos- tilities entered into by Black Hawk.

After the close of the war in compliance with the treaty of peace it became necessary to make known the terms to the Indians. Black Hawk, not being a chief, had no official standing and could take no part in the negotiations. Keokuk being willing to comply with the wishes of the United States, signed a treaty in 1816 which ratified the Quashquamme treaty of 1804, which ceded Black Hawk's village. As the Indians were to occupy the lands until the United States wanted them to move. Black Hawk was not molested and continued to occupy the land and drew his share of the annuity paid the Indians.

In 1827 squatters began to arrive and took possession of the Indian lands. In 1829 the lands about Saukenuk were offered for sale by the United States and the Indians were requested to move to lands assigned to them in Iowa. Black Hawk complied but in 1832 he returned. By this act he resisted the United States. United States soldiers and State Militia were sent against him and the Black Hawk war began.

SHABBBONA'S PART IN THE WAR.

Shabbona was called by the Indians "the friend of the white man." This seems to us a title of honor, but it was quite different to the Indians who applied it. To them it meant "traitor to your people." Why did Shabbona become the friend of the white man? His own story is that when he came out of the War of 1812 he had learned how superior was the white man both in numbers and in arms and skill in warfare. He saw that it was useless to take up arms against them. That it could result only in the destruction of his own people. It will thus be seen that it was not treachery to his people but love for them that prompted him to become the friend of the white man. He knew very well that war could result only in the de- struction of his people.

Black Hawk claims in his autobiography that he did not intend to make war on the settlers. He wanted to get possession of his village peace- ably and that when he crossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1832 and went up the Rock River it was to rent corn land from the Winne- bagoes and raise a crop. The untruthfulness will be apparent when we see how hard he tried to get the Pottowatomies to join him.

In February of 1832 an Indian council was held at Indian Town, where Chillicothe now stands, at which Black Hawk met the leading chiefs of the Winnebagoes. and the Pottowa- tomies. White Cloud, priest and prophet of

the Winnebagoes, was the ruling spirit. He was an eloquent speaker and his office gave him great influence among the Indians. His speech made a strong impression upon the warriors. Shab- bona took the side of peace. Though not an orator his good sense and sincerity won the day. All the Pottowatomie chiefs took their stand with Shabbona except Waubonsie who spoke in favor of going with Black Hawk, but afterward ac- quiesced in the decision of his nation to remain at peace.'

Though Black Hawk gained nothing at this council he did not give up trying to win over the Pottowatomies. He sent his son and Little Bear to visit the Indian villages. When Shab- bona heard of their activity he set out to coun- teract their influence by visiting Indian villages and warning the settlers of Black Hawk's hos- tile intentions. He warned John Hall near Prince- ton. The strange action of the Indians con- firmed Shabbona's statement that trouble was brewing. He next warned Simon Crosier near the mouth of the Vermillion and George E. Walker at the mouth of the Fox. Hurrying eastward he visited Indian villages and urged all to remain at peace. At Chicago he gave the

COURT HOUSE.

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

settlers the first news of Black Hawk's crossing the Mississippi. The following day Judge Young, Benjamin Mills and Colonel Strode ar- rived from Galena and confirmed Shabbona's statement.

It was agreed to hold a council at an Indian village on the Des Plaines the next week. There were present Shabbona, Billy Caldwell, Robin- son and Waubonsie. George E. Walker, Sheriff of La Salle County, was present by invitation. It was agreed that the Pottowatomies should re- main at peace and that any brave taking sides with Black Hawk was a traitor to his nation.

Shabbona now returned to his home at Shab- bona Grove and learned that Meommuse, a chief whose village was near Princeton, had been per- suaded by Black Hawk's son and Little Bear to go on the war path. Without resting from his long journey, he set out at once accompanied by his son, Pypegee. When he arrived he found that Meommuse had sent the squaws, papooses and old men across the Missisippi, that they had traded all their pelts for ammunition and that on the next day he and his fifty warriors were going to join Black Hawk. Little Bear had told them that all the Pottowatomies were going on the war path. Shabbona told him of the action of the council on the Des Plaines and that he had been deceived by Little Bear. Meommuse de- cided to remain at peace and he and his band went across the Mississippi to be out of the war territory.

SHABBONA'S LAST INTERVIEW WITH BLACK

HAWK.

In April, 1832, Black Hawk crossed the Mis- sissippi with all his band including women and children. They journeyed up Rock River. At Dixon's Ferry he informed Mr. Dixon that he did not mean to make war, was going into Wis- consin to rent corn land of the Winnebagoes. General Atkinson ordered him to return but he refused, replying that General Atkinson had no right to make such a demand as his mission was a peaceable one.

He continued up Rock River to the Keshwau- kee, where he expected to meet a large body of warriors which the Prophet had said would be there. Finding that he had been deceived, that the Pottowatomies were not going to join him and that General Atkinson was in pursuit, he was perplexed and sent for Shabbona and Waubonsie. When they arrived he made an eloquent speech reciting his wrongs. He said he did not intend to make war but if all the Indian tribes joined him, their numbers would be so great that the whites would be afraid to attack them and would give him back his village.

Shabbona told him that he could not join him and advised him to return across the Mississippi. Black Hawk then proposed to call a council. Waubonsie promised to attend but Shabbona said he would not.

When Col. Stillman with the militia ap- proached Black Hawk and other chief were in council. He sent a flag of truce expecting to make terms. But the soldiers did not respect the flag of truce and shot down one of the bear- ers. Several other Indians were stationed on a hill overlooking the camp to see how the em- bassy was received. Stillman's soldiers pursued these and followed them into the Indian encamp- ment. The Indians defended themselves. The soldiers were panic stricken and running into camp they stampeded all of Stillman's command. The Indians seeing their advantage continued their attack.

This easy victory fired the hearts of manv "bad" Indians. They refused to obey their chiefs and remain at peace. They formed into small bands and scattered over the country to plunder and to avenge their wrongs on the scat- tered settlements. They skulked through the tim- ber and lay in ambush along the trails. It is believed that all the depredations committed dur- ing the war were the acts of these outlaws.

SHABBONA'S RIDE.

Stillman's defeat occurred on May 14th. Shab- bona was at his village and heard of it the next day. He knew that the irresponsible bands would wreak vengeance on the settlers. He made all haste to mount his pony to warn them of their danger. Early in the morning Shab- bona,, his son Pypegee and his nephew, Pyps, started. The younger men started for Fox River and Holderman's Grove. He went toward the Bureau Creek settlement.

Before starting he went to the lodge of the priest of his band, O'Kee, to ask for his advice and blessing. The old man warned him to be- ware. He would be declared a traitor to his race and would be slain. Though saddened by this warning, he decided that he could do his race more good by making it impossible for the roving Indians to commit murders by putting the whites on their guard. Then, too, he had been shown many kindness by the whites which he was ready to repay at great sacrifice.

May 15th the settlers on Bureau Creek were busy planting corn, when they beheld a lone rider approaching them with great speed, the pony covered with foam. The first settler whom Shabbona saw was Mr. Dimmick, who lived near Dimmick Grove near where La Moille now

PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

stands. Mr. Dimmick said he would stay and finish planting, that he left last year and it was a false alarm. Shabbona urged him to send his women and children to a place of safety or they would be murdered before moving. Shabbona had no time to waste so he mounted his pony and said in a loud impressive voice, "Aubaw Pucke- gee"-You must leave. This so impressed Mr. Dimmick that he hitched to his wagon and took his family at once to Hennepin.

During the night of the same day a band led by the disreputable half-breed, Girty, arrived at the Bureau Creek settlement to find the cabins empty. They however, remained some time in the vicinity of Princeton and committed several atrocious murders.

Shabbona hastened on to Indian Creek settle- ment near the present village of Freedom. He warned Mr. Davis of his danger. He received not only contempuous replies, but was threat- ened with chastisement if he did not leave at once. Shabbona knew of Mr. Davis's special danger for he had built a dam across the creek and angered the Indians who lived above pre- venting the fish from going above the dam. Aft- er having gone a distance he returned and plead with tears for Davis to take the women and chil- dren to a place of safety, all to no purpose. He hurried on to Hollenbeck's Grove in Kendall County, but before he reached his destination his pony fell dead. When he arrived Mr. Hol- lenbeck received him kindly, gave him a good dinner, a night's rest and loaned him a horse to go forward on his journey. He had been thirty hours in the saddle.

Pypegee and Pyps had warned the settlers from Ottawa to Plainfield. The peaceable In- dians either went across the Mississippi or moved near the white people to be out of the way of white soldiers or Indians who might be scour- ing the country. Waubonsie's band first went from their village at Paw Paw Grove to Shab- bona's Grove and later both bands went to the present site of Plainfield where Fort Beggs was erected.

SHABBONA JOINS THE ARMY.

Shabbona and most of his band capable of military duty went to Dixon and joined Gen. Atkinson's army. It became a question as to which one, Shabbona, Waubansie, or Billy Cald- well. should be placed in command of the In- dians. When Shabbona was chosen the other two chiefs became dissatisfied and with quite a number of their warriors left the service. Shab- bona and his Indians did efficient duty as scouts. At the battle of Bad Axe the scouts attacked a

party of squaws and papooses. Shabbona at once called off his men, but the white soldiers slew women and children.

Shabbona's course enraged the Indians against him. He lost all authority except over his own band which numbered one hundred and forty. In 1833 after the close of the war. Pottowatomie and Winnebago chiefs met in council on Green River near the present site of New Bedford. Here Shabbona was denounced as a traitor to his race. Two warriors volunteered to kill Shabbona and started on their mission. An old Indian, a friend of Shabbona, secretly informed Louis Ouilmette, a half-breed, employed in a trad- ing house. He sent a young Indian to inform Shabbona. But the assassins found Shabbona first. They fired two shots at him in a wood near his home while he was out hunting. ignorant of the council on Green River. But both shots

missed. Soon after the messenger from Ouil- mette arrived. Shabbona hastened to Rochelle's village south of the Illinois River. To some white friends the old chief said. "I have lived for a long time on terms of friendship with white people. I love my white friends and their chil- dren. I hate baby killers and women scalpers, and for this I expect to die by the hands of my enemies."

SHABBONA'S HOME.

By the treaty of Prairie du Chien of 1829 Shabbona was granted two sections of land, sec- tion 23. West one-half of Section 25. East one- half of section 26, in Township 38 north. Range 3 east of the 3d P. M. in DeKalb .County still. known as Shabbona Grove. He and his family could live here but his band had no rights on the land though the right to remain in northern Illi- nois and to hunt on all the lands was granted until such time as the United States should sell them and demand the removal of the Indians west of the Mississippi. In 1835 lands were offered for sale and many of the Indians were re- moved to reservations in Iowa.

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.

History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 12

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286