USA > Illinois > Bureau County > Reminiscences of Bureau county [Illinois] in two parts > Part 4
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diately, without further warning. Others remained some days longer, but were on the alert to avoid being surprised by the savages. At different places Indians were seen skulking around people's houses, with their faces painted red, a token of war. These Indians appeared shy, unfriendly, and unwilling to hold com- munications with the whites. A party of warriors came to the cabins of Eli and Elijah Smith, in the absence of the men, and their conduct was such as to
frighten the women. They went into the house, took down the guns to examine their locks, as well as the doors of the cabins, and other things about the premises. They also sharpened their knives and tomahawks on the grindstone, with the intention, no doubt, of using them in murdering the settlers. Many Indians were seen riding at full speed across the prairie, conveying the news from one to another ; and within two days from that time not a red skin could be seen in the Bureau settlement.
INDIANS AT THE GRAVES OF THEIR FATHERS.
When the Indians on Bureau were notified by
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INDIANS AT THE GRAVES OF THEIR FATHERS.
runners from Black Hawk's band, that hostilities were about to commence, they were greatly alarmed, knowing that their lives would be endangered by remaining longer in the country, and they prepared for a hasty departure. At their village, where Tiskilwa now stands, about seven hundred had collected, to deliberate on the means of making their final exit. After making the necessary preparations, the Indians en masse, old and young, repaired to their village burying ground, to pay their respects to the graves of departed loved ones.
Indians everywhere are attached to their homes, the land of their nativity ; and it was with feelings of regret that they gave up their cornfields and hunting grounds : but there is another place still more sacred to them, and from which they departed with sorrowful hearts. This was the graves of their fathers.
On the bottom prairie, a short distance below Tiskilwa. is an oblong knoll, which overlooks the valley, and presents a fine view of the surroundings. This knoll had been the village burying ground for many genera- tions. Here were buried their prophets and great warriors, as well as their fair maidens, and of their graves the Indians were about to take their last farewell. The ceremonies connected with this affair, is described by an eye witness, (Amos Leonard) as being very solemn. The faces of all the Indians, old and young, were painted black, an emblem of mourning, and the young squaw> had powdered their hair, making it white as snow, in
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representation of their purity. In the midst of the group was seen the tall form of Autuckee, the principal chief of the village. On the head of this chief was a crown of turkey feathers, and from his neck was suspended an Indian drum. At the tap of this drum, all the Indians fell on their knees, while the chief with uplifted hands, and eyes rolled back in their sockets. prayed to the Great Spirit, for the preservation of the bones of departed friends. For some time the Indians remainded on their knees chanting, while the squaws stood by beating their breast with their hands, weeping and wailing with loud acclamations of grief for departed loved ones. Again the chief tapped his drum, when
the Indians sprang to their feet, and commenced singing a song to the dead. This song was sung on a low plain- tive key, and sounded like a funeral dirge; while thus engaged, the squaws with baskets of flowers, which had been gathered for the occasion, strewed them over the graves. After the conclusion of these exercises, the Indians again returned to their village. One of their number, an old man of more than four score years, refused to leave the graves, saying: "Here lie my father, my squaw, and my papooses, all that was near and dear unto me; no one is now left to love or care for me, and my blood no longer runs in the veins of any human being." Over the graves of his departed friends, the old man's form was bent, and here he wished to die: no persuasion could induce him to leave this
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INDIANS AT THE GRAVES OF THEIR FATHERS.
spot, and by force alone he was taken away, and placed on a pony, to be carried westward with the rest of the band.
At the village. the Indians loaded their ponies with camp equipage, preparatory to their departure. On some of the ponies were placed willow baskets, filled with papooses, and these ponies were turned loose, without bridle or halter, to follow the procession. The squaws rode astride of their ponies, many of whom carried an infant on their back, placed in a pocket in their blanket, with its head sticking out. Everything being ready, the procession started for the west, when old and young joined in singing their farewell song. G
CHAPTER IX.
DAD JOE.
At Dad Joe Grove lived Joseph Smith, who was generally known by the name of Dad Joe. For many years he had been a pioneer, living at different places among the Indians, and was well acquainted with their customs and habits. In advance of the settlement, Dad Joe had lived at Peoria, Rock Island, and at the lead mines, near Galena; and two years before the time of which we write, had settled at the grove for the purpose of entertaining travelers.
Dad Joe was a thick, heavy-set man, of great physical power, and was always clothed in loose garments. with a rope or leather girdle about his loins. He had a heavy bass voice, and in common conversation spoke so loud as to cause strangers to look at him with astonishment. His remarkable personal appearance, peculiar manners, and his lion-like voice, gave him great notoriety, and there was but few people in those days, living in Illinois, who had not heard of Dad Joe.
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FRIGHTENED BY THE INDIANS.
He was kind and benevolent, almost to a fault : and he is probably the only man who lived and died in Bureau county without ever having an enemy.
FRIGHTENED BY THE INDIANS.
About two miles west of Dad Joe's residence, and at the east end of Red Oak Grove, lived a man by the name of James Magby, who had a wife and a large family of children. Besides these two families, there was no one living within twelve miles. One day while Mr. Magby's two daughters were on the prairie engaged in gathering flowers, they saw a large body of Indians approaching them, and believing that they were about to be murdered, fled with all haste to the residence of Dad Joe. On arriving at the house, they stated that the Indians had killed their mother, brothers and sisters. (Mr. Magby being absent at the time). This announce- ment created a great panic in Dad Joe's family, as they too expected to be attacked within a few minutes. Dad Joe, whose courage never forsook him, made a hasty preparation to protect himself and family from the tomahawks and scalping knives of the savages. Although at that time Dad Joe was laid up with a lame back, through the excitement of the moment, he sprang from his couch, caught his rifle, which hung on pegs above the door, and prepared himself to give the Indians a warm reception.
Young Joe. a lad of fifteen years of age, mounted
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his horse and started for Bureau, to notify the settlers of their danger. In his haste to be off. he forgot to let down the barn yard bars, and urging his horse forward to make him jump them, he fell, throwing the rider over his head. Joe again mounted his horse, and put him at the top of his speed for Bureau settlement.
This affair turned out to be a false alarm. The In- dians, (about three hundred in number), were Potta- watamies, from Bureau. and were on their way to a country west of the Mississippi. When the Indians saw the frightened condition of Magby's family, they did not stop at the grove, but continued on their way westward.
A few days after this Indian fright, Dad Joe sent his family off to a place of safety, while himself and son, (Young Joe), remained on the farm in order to put in a crop. Each day they carried their guns with them while at work in the field, and they also kept their saddles close at hand, so they could mount their horses at a moment's notice. For many days they saw no one, as traveling through the country was now at an end. The great Galena road, that passed by the house, over which formerly had ran a daily mail coach, as well as crowds of people passing to and from the lead mines. was now deserted: no traveler would risk his life in passing through a country then thought to be full of hostile savages.
INDIANS APPROACHING THE GROVE.
One day while Dad Joe and son were at work in the
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INDIANS APPRNACHING THE GROVE.
field, they saw on the prairie, in the direction of East Grove, about sixty Indians approaching them. These Indians were armed with guns, were mounted on ponies. and their faces painted red -- a sign of war. On seeing the Indians, Dad Joe and son gathered up their rifles, mounted their horses, and fled southward. But as the Indians did not discover them, they returned to a high piece of ground, where they could watch their move- ments, and also be ready to flee if pursued. The Indians went to the house, but finding no one there. they helped themselves to what they wished to eat, and carried away with thein such articles as they could use. They also took with them four young pups, which they no doubt intended to roast for their supper. After leaving the house, the Indians discovered Dad Joe and his son on the prairie, and started towards them ; but prudence required that the enemy should be kept at a proper distance, and they retired as the Indians ap- proached. At last one of the Indians dismounted from his pony, and laying down his gun and tomahawk. approached them for the purpose of holding conversa- tion. But as he came nigh to where they were standing. seeing the determined appearance of Dad Joe, who stood with a rifle in his hand, the Indian's courage failed him, and he turned pale and stopped; but on being addressed by Dad Joe in a friendly manner, he took courage, and came forward to offer his hand.
This Indian wished to know if any army had gone north, and if it was the intention of the whites to fight
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REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
them. Dad Joe, in reply, said no army had passed that way, and he had not seen a person for twelve days. The Indian said they did not wish to fight, but if attacked by the whites, they would carry the war into the settlement, and tomahawk every woman and child they could find. By the Indian's dress and language. Dad Joe recognized him as one of Black Hawk's band, having lived at Rock Island among them a few years before. While living there, one of these Indians (being exasperated on account of the whites settling on their land, and also being under the influence of liquor). tomahawked Dad Joe's wife, and she was only saved from instant death by Young Joe, then a lad of twelve years of age, riding his horse on the Indian. These things, coming fresh to Dad Joe's mind, he felt like taking revenge on this Indian. He said afterwards to the writer, that he was tempted to shoot him on the spot, and trust to the fleetness of their horses to make their escape.
THE LONE TRAVELER.
The night after their adventure with the Indians. Dad Joe and son, as usual, had barricaded the door of their house with puncheons, and with loaded guns by their side, they retired to the attic to sleep. They had been asleep but a short time, when they were awakened by a person holloing and rapping at the door, asking admittance. Dad Joe suspected that it was an Indian
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THE LONE TRAVELER.
in disguise, and had taken this plan to gain admittance to the house, so that he and his comrades could murder the inmates. The man at the door said he was a traveler, and wished entertainment only. After a long parley, Dad Joe said he would open the door, but if betrayed, his life should pay the forfeit, as he would shoot him down on the spot. He removed the barri. cades, and opened the door with one hand, while in the other he held his trusty rifle ready for use if betrayed. The man at the door proved to be a lone traveler from the lead mines, and on his way home at the south. Being mounted on a fleet horse, and armed with a large holster pistol, he had undertaken the hazardous task of passing through a country which was thought to be full of hostile savages.
APPROACH OF STILLMAN'S ARMY.
On the 12th of May, Stillman's army, consisting of about seven hundred mounted rangers, mostly from the southern part of the State, arrived at Dad Joe Grove. The troops made no halt here, but continued on their way to Dixon's ferry. The baggage train, consisting of six wagons drawn by oxen, remained at the grove over night. This train was guarded by fifty mounted rangers. under the command of Captain Hackleton. In this company of rangers, was a young man from Sangamon county, that every one called Abe. He was tall and slim, with long black hair, heavy eyelashes, and whose
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general appearance was awkward and unprepossessing, but his witticism, as well as his peculiar gift in telling stories, kept his comrades all the while in a state of merriment. This young man was a private in Hackle- ton's company, but before the close of the war he rose to be a captain, and thirty years afterwards he became President of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln. The wagons, belonging to the baggage train, were left in the edge of the grove, and the oxen, with bells on them, turned out on the prairie to feed. About midnight, the bells were heard to ring, and a party of rangers went in pursuit of the oxen. Between Dad Joe and East Grove, they overtook a party of Indians, driving off the oxen ; and on coming up with them, they fled in great haste, by putting their ponies at full speed. The night being dark and rainy, the rangers did not pursue them, but returned to camp with the stolen cattle. Means were used to guard against a surprise, as they were now in an enemy's country, and liable to be attacked at any moment. Rumors were afloat that a large body of Indians were seen that afternoon in the direction of the Winnebago swamps. Picket guards were established around the encampment. and the men ordered to sleep on their arms. The horses were tied to trees by the camp, so they could be mounted at a moment's notice.
THE CAMP ATTACKED-A JOKE OF CAPTAIN HACKLETON. Captain Hackleton was a man fond of fun, always
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THE CAMP ATTACKED.
enjoying a good joke, and he now fell upon a plan of having some sport at other's expense. He also wished to test the courage of his men, and thereby ascertain whether or not they were reliable in case of emergency. He made his plans known to the guards, and a few friends, and immediately went to work to execute them. About an hour before day, the plans being all matured. a number of men went back in the grove, and raised the Indian war whoop, and at the same time the picket guards fired off their guns. Captain Hackleton, and others who were in the plot, called on the men as they were sleeping in their blankets, to flee for their lives, as they were attacked by over one thousand Indians. Nothing could exceed the panic among the troops. Some prayed, others swore, but all sprang for their horses, with the intention of fleeing for their lives.
The surgeon of the company, who for many years after the war was well known in this community as a skillful physician, mounted his horse, but in his haste forgot to untie him from the tree; under the spur the horse sprang forward the length of the rope, then back again, bringing the doctor's head against the limb of a tree. The doctor, believing himself struck by an Indian war club or tomahawk, abandoned all hopes of escape, and at the top of his voice he sang out : " Mr. Injun, I surrender, spare my life."
Next morning Dad Joe and son left with the troops. for Dixon's ferry, and returned to the grove no more until the war was over.
H
CHAPTER X.
COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.
The Indians had now left Bureau for other localities, some going to Chicago to claim government protection, others west of the Mississippi, while a few joined Black Hawk's band, and fought against the whites. Among those who fled to Rock river, to join the hostile Indians, was Mike Girty, the outlaw. His principal object in doing so was to avenge himself on the settlers, for some imaginary injury ; two of whom, John Hall and John L. Ament, he told a short time before that he intended to kill them as soon as the oak leaves became as large as a squirrel's ear, having, no doubt, reference to the breaking out of the war. On the 14th of May, Still- man's army was defeated at Old Man's creek, after
which Black Hawk sent out war parties all over the country, from the lake to the Mississippi. Occupying with their guerrilla bands many of the principal groves. waylaying thoroughfares, and skulking around the frontier settlements.
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THE SETTLERS WARNED OF THEIR DANGER.
Next day after Stillman's defeat, Girty, at the head of about seventy warriors, left for Bureau settlement. with the intention of murdering the settlers. The first house they came to was that of Daniel Dimmick, at Dimmick's Grove, but found that their intended victims had fled. The Indians continued their way down the timber until they came to the cabins of John L. Ament and Elijah Phillips, and were much surprised to find them gone also. Ament and family had only left a few hours before, and the fire on the hearth was still burning. The Indians next visited the cabins of Elijah and Eli Smith, and that of Mr. Epperson, but with no better success. Crossing the Main Bureau. they went to the Thomas settlement, but found it deserted likewise. The Indians were much disap- pointed by their ill success, as it was now evident that the settlers had left the country, and their expedition must prove a failure, without being graced by a single scalp. By a spring in the edge of the timber where Oscar Knox now lives, the Indians made their encamp- ment, hobbled and turned out their horses to graze. Here they remained two days, sending out spies in various directions in search of victims.
THE SETTLERS WARNED OF THEIR DANGER.
It was a warm bright day, on the 16th of May, 1832 : the sun was shining in all its brilliancy, without a cloud in the sky. The prairies were now green with early
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REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
spring grass, intermixed with blue bells, and other May flowers of various hues. The forest trees were in full leaf, and the balmy air was made fragrant by the blos- soms of the plum and crab apple. All nature appeared clothed in her beautiful garment, and everything in the surroundings was calculated to fill the pioneer's heart with bright prospects for the future. The settlers along Bureau timber were busy with their crops, plowing, sowing and planting, unconscious of immediate danger from their red foe. While thus engaged, a lone Indian was seen cantering his pony across the Princeton prairie, in a southwestern direction. He was without gun or blanket, and from his uncovered head, locks of long hair were streaming in the wind. His jet black pony was white with foam, and from its extended nostrils came forth loud puffs of breath. This lone Indian was Shaubena, the white man's friend, and he was now on an errand of mercy.
Two day's before, Stillman's army had been defeated on Old Man's creek, and a band of hostile Indians were then on their way, as the sequel shows, to Bureau settlement, for the purpose of murdering its inhabitants. Shanbena, being unwilling to trust this important mes- sage in the hands of others, mounted his pony and rode with all haste to warn the settlers of their danger. He gave notice to Daniel Dimmick, John L. Ament, Dr. N. Chamberlain, and others, after which he left with his pony, still on a canter, for Indian creek settlement. giving warning likewise to the people of that region.
FLIGHT OF SETTLERS.
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
'ASTON, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONG.
FLIGHT OF SETTLERS
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
PASTOR, LENOX THON FOUNDATIONS.
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FLIGHT OF THE SETTLERS.
When the settlers on Bureau were notified that hostilities had commenced, there was a great panic among them. People were seen riding on a gallop across the prairie, conveying the tidings from cabin to cabin, and within a few hours not a soul was left in Bureau settlement. It was well they left in haste, for. as the sequel shows, a few hours of detention would in all probability have proved fatal to many of them. Some of the settlers went off on foot, others on horse- back or in wagons, while a few left on sleds, drawn by ox teams. Some going to Hennepin, others to Peoria or Springfield, while others left the country never to return. Squire Dimmick, who lived at Dimmick's Grove, on being warned of his danger by Shaubena. said he would not leave until he had planted his corn : that he had left the year before, and it proved to be a false alarm. and he believed that it would be so this time. To which Shaubena replied : " If you will remain at home, send off your squaw and papooses, or they will be murdered before the rising of to-morrow,s sun."
Shaubena had now mounted his pony. and was about to leave, when he raised his hand high above his head. exclaiming, in a loud voice: " Anhau puckeger." The meaning of which is, "You must leave;" and Shau- bena's pony was again on the gallop to notify others. When Dimmick noticed the earnest manner in which Shaubena addressed him, he changed his mind, un- hitched the horses from the plow, put his family into his wagon, and within two hours left his claim, never
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REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
again to return to it. John L. Ament was planting corn when he received the tidings, caught his horses, which were feeding on the prairie, placed his wife on one, and mounting the other himself, with his son Thomas, then an infant, in his arms, in this way they started for McLean county. After going about two miles from their home, they discovered on the prairie, what they supposed to be, a band of Indians approaching them. Believing their only means of safety was in flight, they put their horses at the top of their speed. In their flight, Ament's hat flew off, and with his hair streaming in the wind, they urged forward their horses under the whip. On arriving at Joel Doolittle's cabin, the matter was explained ; the supposed Indians proved to be a party of rangers, who had come over from Hennepin to look after the settlers. Without a hat, but with a handkerchief tied around his head, Ament continued on his way to McLean county. The settlers in the bend of the timber, southeast of Princeton, which was known at that time as the Moseley neigh- borhood, fled across the Illinois river, and sought protection in different places.
Henry Thomas was with Stillman's army when it was defeated, and many of the volunteers slain in the fight. The Indians pursued the troops nine miles from the battle-field, overtaking and killing many on the way. Mr. Thomas, being mounted on a fleet horse, soon ontstripped the Indian ponies, but one of his companions in the flight was not so fortunate. In
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FLIGHT OF THE SETTLERS.
crossing a branch, his horse stuck fast in the mud. throwing the rider over his head, and before he could mount his horse again. the Indians came up and toma- hawked him. Mr. Thomas continued the flight, making no halt until he reached home, a distance of fifty-two miles.
On the same day that Shaubena gave warning to the settlers, Henry Thomas returned home from the scene of horror, and all prepared to leave the country forth- with. In the West Bureau settlement there were four families, namely : Henry and Ezekiel Thomas, Abram Stratton, and John M. Gay. Among these four families there was only one wagon in running condition : some put their children, with a few household goods, on sleds, which were drawn by oxen, and by dark that same night they were on their road southward. Eli and Elijah Smith took a large box, containing carpenter tools and other valuables, into the woods, hiding it in a thick cluster of hazel brush, and then fled in all haste toward Peoria. Mr. Epperson's family left about the same time, and they fell in with the fugitives from West Bureau near the present site of Providence. About midnight, as the ox teams were slowly dragging the sleds along on the grass, and the men and women walking by their sides, looking after their children who were sleeping on blankets or quilts, unconscious of danger, when all of a sudden behind them were heard the clattering of horses' feet, and the Indian war whoop ounded through the still night air. The women
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REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
screamed, and the men sprang for their guns, but instead of it being, as they supposed, the deadly foe, it was Pete Bulbona and another half-breed, who only thought of frightening them.
Mr. Epperson and John M. Gay, walking ahead of the teams, came to Boyd's Grove about sun up next morning, and having their blankets wrapped around them, they were mistaken for Indians. Nat, the youngest boy, on seeing them was much frightened, and ran into the house, exclaiming: "Good jemmeny, here are two Injuns." Mr. Boyd picked up his rifle, and was prepared to shoot, when they threw back their blankets, showing themselves to be white men.
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