HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY. INDIAN OCCUPANCY. The Indian history of this region is interesting, principally because of the presence here of two of the most noted characters of modern tribes. The nature of this work precludes the introduction of an exhaustive treatise on the rise and decline of the Indian races of this region, and enables us merely to gather from reliable sources the fragments of incident, anecdote and analysis which have floated loosely about for years. In fact, our province is purely that of a compiler, but sufficient care has been taken with the work to make it valuable in the generations which are to follow. The actual historian who shall investigate the ample field of aboriginal existence, may peruse these pages with a feeling of security in their correctness, if the associates of Keokuk and Black Hawk themselves are to be believed; for much of the information here preserved, was obtained in direct line of recital, either to the writer or to the party duly accredited with the extract. There still live many persons who witnessed the strange sight of a remnant of a race of men departing forever from their early homes, and such will, doubtless, be disposed to sneer at the pen which finds a source of melancholy in the contemplation of this event. But worthy hands have written lines of living power upon the theme; nor can the harsh character of fact denude the subject of a glamour which poetry and romance have cast around the dusky victim and his fate. There is a grandeur in the record of the race which the stern force of truth is powerless to dispel. Human improvement, rushing through civilization, crushes in its march all who cannot grapple to its car. This law is as inexorable as fate. "You colonize the land of the savage with the Anglo-Saxon," says Stephen Montague, "you civilize that portion of the earth; but is the savage civilized? He is exterminated! You accumulate machinery, you increase the total of wealth, but what becomes of the labor you displace? One generation is sacrificed to the next. You diffuse knowledge, and the world seems to grow brighter; but Discontent at Poverty replaces Ignorance happy with its crust. Every improvement, every advancement of civilization, injures some to benefit others, and either cherishes the want of to-day or prepares the revolution of to-morrow." That portion of Iowa which now claims Burlington as its metropolis, was once the home of the Sac and Fox tribes of Indians. From a little work entitled "Sketches of Iowa," prepared in 1841 by John B. Newhall, of Burlington, the following summary of their general character is taken. "The Sacs and Foxes have been among the most powerful and warlike tribes of the Northwest. History finds them fighting their way from the shores of the northern lakes, gradually, toward the Mississippi, sometimes warring with the Winnebagoes, and at other times with the Chippewas, often instigated by the A French. At an early period, they inhabited the region of country bordering upon the Wisconsin River, and planted large quantities of corn. The whole history of their wars and migrations shows them to have been a restless and spirited people, a people erratic in their pursuits, having a great contempt for agriculture and a predominant passion for war. By these ruling traits, they have been constantly changing, suffering and diminishing. Still, they retain their ancient chivalry, ever ready for war, regardless of the superiority of their foes. Thus, at the present time (1841) four or five hundred of their warriors. are out to fight the Sioux of the North, with whom there exists a most deadly hostility, originating from old feuds, the origin of which they scarcely know themselves. Their numbers, of late years, have been somewhat augmented by the policy they have pursued of adopting their prisoners of war and receiving seceders from other tribes, and at the present time they number about seven thousand souls. 66 The Sacs and Foxes speak the Algonquin language. This language is still spoken by the Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Ottawas and several other tribes. It is soft and musical in comparison with the harsh, guttural Narcoutah of the Sioux, which is peculiar to themselves, having but little affinity to the Algonquin tongue. Their ideas of futurity are somewhat vague and indefinite. They believe in the existence of a Supreme Manitou, or good spirit, and a Malcha Manitou, or evil spirit. They often invoke the favor of the good Manitou for success in war and the hunt, by various sacrifices and offerings. Storm and thunder they view as manifestations of His wrath; and success in war, the hunt or in the deliverance from enemies, of His favor and love. Everything of great power or efficiency, or what is inexplicable, is a great medicine,' and the medicine-men and prophets are next in consideration to chiefs. At the decease of their friends, they paint their faces black, and the time of mourning is governed by the affinity of the kindred. Their ideas of the condition of departed spirits and the ceremony of burial may be deemed interesting. Often, in perambulating their deserted villages, has my attention been arrested, in gazing through the bleached and mutilated slabs made to protect the moldering dust of a noted chief or 'brave,' who is frequently placed in a sitting posture, his gun and his war-club placed by his side, moccasins upon his feet, his blanket (or the remnants thereof) wrapped about his body, his beads and wampum suspended to his neck, where he sits like a warrior taking his rest,' in the silent sleep of death. The situations of their villages are, oftentimes, extremely beautiful and picturesque. The rude architecture of their lodges; the droves of Indian ponies galloping over the prairies, and snorting at the approach of white men; the squaws busily engaged in preparing food, or, perhaps, toting' a back-load of fagots that would frighten a New York porter, while their 'lazy lords' sit smoking upon the grass or quietly sleeping in their lodges; the young papooses swarming the river-bank, and, with bow and arrow, exercising their infant archery upon every prairie flower or luckless bird; or, perchance, the gayly-painted warrior, mounted upon his prancing steed, his feathers streaming to the breeze, as he gallops from village to village with the fleetness of the wind, are objects which, to the traveler unaccustomed to Indian habits and character, are full of intense interest and novelty. Sometimes, midway between two villages, or, perhaps, off in the prairie, may be seen a hundred young warriors' from each clan-picked men,' who have won laurels on the battle-field. They have met (per agreement) to exercise their feats in the race or the ancient games, the prize being, perhaps, two |