Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-12
From, The New- Fork Morning Journal.
THE DEVOTED.

twenty. two soldiers belonging to the sixth regi-
ment Of United States Infantry. then stationed
at Council Bluffs, were shot by two Daheotahs OF
the Susseton band No provocaton was gwen
by the sufferers; at least none was alledged by
the perpetrators of the crime. They were Undue
ed TO do the deed by one of those unaccountable
impulses that so otter actuateahdians.
The Sussetons. or 'People who end by Curing
nhabit the country on the ST. Peters River
They dress in cloth and blankets. Their orr in-
al vesture and implements have given place to ar
ticles manufactured by the whites, so that they
are in great measure dependent on the traders
for the necessaries of life. An embargo on the
Indian trade is therefore the greatest evil that
can be inflicted on them.
La order TO compel the surrender of this oifen-
ders, the Colonel commanding the post at the
mouth Of the st. Peters stopped the trading boats
Notice was duly given to the SussetOns that an
absolute non-intercOurse would be enforced till
the persons demanded should be given up to JUS
tee. The good policy that dictated the measure
was soon apparent. No Indian on the st. Pc
tiers could shoot duck, or catch muskrat. The,
bow and arrow. weapons long out OF use, were
put in requisition, but to little purpose. The
game taken by their means was insufficient for
the support oflife. As no knives could be had,
if deer was killed it was layed with hints or
clam she'll. Tired of enduring such privations
the SussetOns took measures to terminate them.
A large camp was convened at Munday Fan
Tonkinkee, or The Big Stone Lake. A. solemn
council was held on the green sward, TO devise
means to avert the consequences OF the folly OF
their 'young men,
Il am wiling said Mahzah Khotah, The
Grey lron,) one of the criminals. 'to give my life
to the Biz Knives, as PREPARATION for that have
taken. They will putme to death. What Them
am man. Better that one should suffer than
many. | have been fool, but now l will act
with wisdom
The cultural ejaculation peculiar to an Indian
council put the stamp of appreciation to these
generous sentiments. But one of the assembled
elders did not join in the general applause 1t
was Ahkiteheetah Dootab. The Red Soldier.
the father of the speaker. His head dropped, and
he hid his face in his hands.
Il too, said the other person implicated, will
go to the chief of the Big Knives. will throw
away my body Also
Not so my son, cried an old Susseton. you
are my only boy, and how will your mother, and
your sisters, and your wife. and your children
eat, if you should die? | have long been unable
to hunt. old and useless. Life for life is
all that the Biz Knives cant ask. They shall have
mine. Come, young men, let us start immedi-
ately.'
This reasoning appeared conclusive to the as
sem6ly. Two men were to die and it seemed to
the Sussetons immateral which. The son him
self made no opposition. The next day after
leaving some worn-out clothing and quantity
of tobacco on a rock, as a tribute to the Great
Spirit, MahZah khoah and his intended fellow
sufferer started for Fort Smelling, attended by
numerous retinue offriends and relatives. ~
Arrived within mile of the fort the party
halted. smoked, and sung prayer. in a subdued
monotOuous tone. If Handel could have heard.
it is probable he would not have wished ever to
hear a Daheotah concert again. Then they smut
ed their faces anew, and wounded their arms with
knives. The prisoners elbows were secured
with ropes of braided buffalos hair and great GA
ken skewers were thrust through their flesh
This unnecessary pain they bore without blench-
ing in the least. The prisoners began to sing.
and in this fashion the whole party advanced to
the walls,of che fort. A company was drawn
up under arms. and the commanding officer came
out TO receive them.
The elders and warriors sat down in a circle on
the ground, with the prisoners in the midst. The
American officer was desired to take his place
with them, and then the peace pipe was produc-
ed and smoked round the circle from lef4 to right,
or with the sun, as the Indians expressit.. This
ceremony ended, the elder of the prisoners rose
and spoke.
a cloud, he said, 'has come between us and
our father. We hope the beams of this days
sun will drive it away. Our hearts are sad that
the chain of friendship has been broken We
wish to mend it. Two foolish young men have
acted according to their folly, and the Master of
Life e is angry about it. One of them was my
son. ! am here to suffer for him. We throw
away the other also. Have pity on us father, for
we are onsheekah pitiable.] Our women and
children are starving. We have come long
distance to see you. and the path was overgrown
with weeds. Father take pity on us, and let the
road between your people and ours be cleared
The pipe OF peace was accepted. The Prison
ers were taken into custody, and the other Sus
setons dismissed. Colonel Smelling wrote to
Washington for instructions, but 1t was. long be-
fore he received them. At that time the facilities
of communication were not so great as at present.
was not then known that the Mississippi was ma
vigable for steam5o b to the falls of ST. Anthony.
and mail stages did not then run between Peoria