The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1839-11-07


When they were separated from
their companions who had come with
them from Africa, there was weeping
among the women and children, but
Grabaung did not weep, "because he
IS a man" kimbo, who sat by, said
that he also shed no tears-but he |
thought Of his home in Africa, and of
friends left there whom he should me-
yer see again.
The men bought by Ruiz were ia
ken on foot through Havana in the
night. and put on board vessel. Du-
ring the night they were keptm irons
placed about the hands, feet and neck.
They were treated during the day in
a somewhat milder manner, though all
the irons were never taken off at once.
Their allowance Of food was very
scant, and of water still more So
They We're very hungry, and suffer
ed much in the hot days and nights
from thirst. In addition to this there
was much whipping, and the cook
told them that when they reached land
they would all be eaten. This s'made
their hearts burn" 10 avoid being
eaten, and to escape the bad treat
ment they experienced, they rose up
on the crew with the design of re-
turning to Africa.
| Such is the substance'of Grabaung'si
story, confirmed by Kifnbo, who was
present most Of the time. He says he
likes the people Of this country, be-
cause, to use his own expression,
"they are good people--they believe
in God, and there is no slavery here"
The story Of Grabaung was then
read and interpreted to Cinquez, while
a number of the other Africans were
standing about, and confirmed by all
OF them In every particular. When
the part relating to the crowded state
of the vessel from Africa to Havana
was read, Cinquez added that there
was scarcely room enough to sit or
lie down. Another showed the marks
of the iron on his wrists, which must
at the time have been terribly lacera-
ted. On their separation at Havana.
| Cinquez remarked that almost all of
them were in tears, and himself among
the rest, :becanse they had come from
the same country, and were now to
be Parted forever" To the question
how it was possible for the Africans,
when chained in the manner he des-
cribed, to rise upon the crew, he re-
/ piled that the chain which connected
: the iron collars about their necks, was
! fastened at the end by paddock, and
: that this was first broken, and after
wards the other IRONS. Their object
: he said, in the affray, was to make
| themselves free. He then requested
: it to be added to the above, that ssif
he tells lie, God sees him by day
and by night
In giving sketch of Dixon, Lee
: County, Illinois, the editor of the Pc.
ora Register records the following
) interesting
: "REMINISCENCES.
} Previous to 1929, when Mr.. Dixon
made the purchase of the claim, the
!. ferry was kept by Mr.. Ogee, who en-
! ployed the Indians to tend it. They
!. had no fiat, and no other means O
carrying passengers or wagons acros:
than in canoes. When wagon ar
e rived at the ferry, they would take
out the horses, draw up two canoe!
parallel with each other in a line witt
0 the wheels, push the wagon into then
e and pole across, while the owner o.
! another Indian swan the horses. Mr.
II Dixon, as before stated, was the mai
n contractor on the route from Peori;
o TO Galena, and made the trip every
/ fortnight, in a two-horse hack. The
J, adventure am now about to relat,
e occurred in 1897. In the summer 0
It that year, Mr.. Dixon's son James,
e lad aged 16, obtained permission 0
: his father to take the mail through
0 instead Of the man who usually went
e On his arriving at Rock river, the In
e. dams took advantage Of his youth t
st rob him Of his provisions, and other
J wise i'll treat him, and the young stag
d driver resumed his journey with fear
y full forebodings. He reached Galen
l. without further molestation, and Sc
}, out on his return home. The Ind
e ans having succeeded so well in TIT
o| first robbery, were on the look OH
Ie again to plumber him. This Dixo1
: was aware of, and his young hear
j. beat violently as he came in sight Q
e the river. On reaching lit the marau
p ders were on the opposite side, abou
.e a dozen in number. Without givin
9. them time to cross over for him, b
i hastily tied the mail bag to the top 0
t, the stage, and drove in!' The Indian
y We're struck with astonishment. A
to most the next step the horses Wer
or swimming. Dixon skillfully balance
txl IL i. 1