The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-13
lnIiin 8;ory.---aarrcnicro Of lEicLcmcc,, the
Brave.

1R!iIn s;orY.---sarrCnicr Of IiskrmGcls the
Brave.
One afternoon, in the spring of l83o. a
young Indian, named Mckenock, of the
Ottawa tribe, on the eastern shore OF lake
Michigan, having engaged too freely in
the use Of fire drink, commenced quarrel
with, and, finally, stabbed to the heart a
son Of one Of the chiefs. Knowing that
he must suffer by the hands of some one
Of the family, whose relative he had kill
ed, he Immediately collected his own "a
milv and Ard into the woods. The chief
and lis son at once commenced search
for the murderer. No pains nor toll was
spared TO ferret out the hiding place of
the unfortunate and guilty MicGenocl..
Blu, the summer passed, the leaves began
to fall, and no trace could be found Of the
murderer. Almost in despair, the old
chief, burning TO revenge the death Of his
son, looked about for some relative ofsli.
ckcnock. upon whom he could Satisfy this
darling desire of the Indian heart; bu. no
one could be found all the family and
blood relations Of Mickcnock were with
him in his hiding place.
Dcspairing, at length, Of either finding
his enemy or ayenging himself upon any
OF the blood relations, the chief deicrmin-
ed to avail himself Of the privilege allow
ell by an Indian custom, and.to aycnge
himself upon one Of the relatives Of the
wife Of the murderer. Mickcnock, al
though cAcctuaily concealed from the old
chief, was nevertheless convcrsant, through
some Of his friends, Of all that was trans
piring in the chiefs wigwam: and, so
soon as he learned the chiefs dclcrnilna-
ton to avengc his sons death upon one of
his wiie's relatives, he Immediately sent
in word to the old chefs wgwam, that,
upon the day Of the meeting Of the coun-
Gil, which was then Soon TO he held, he
would deliver himself up to atone for the
life OF his son. The chief received the
information with evident qualification.
A few weeks passed away, the great
lodge was erected. aud the council at
length assembled. The chief commune
tcated the Intelligence which he had re-
cclyed from his sons murderer, and il
was agreed that no business should be
transacted until Mickcnock should ap-
pear. The council sat in silence until
about twelve o'clock, when suddenly the
brave Mickcnock bounded into the midst
Of the council, calmly surveyed the chiefs,
aud So, down in silence in the centre ol
the cabin; his wife and children imnlcdi-
ate.y followed and formed circle round
him; then, taking out his flint, he struck
a spark, and lighted his pipe and smoked
it in silence the eyes of all the council
) and his little family were fixed intense
; upon him. Al length Mickcnock arose.
: and, addressing himself to the chief, said
: IL killed your son, he was young brave
> he did the no wrong, he was my friend
, | drank tho fire drink, the fire drink mad;
, me ki!l your son; Mickcnock is very sor
+ ry, and deserves to die" Then, farming
] To the oldest brother Of the deceased, h.
: drew knife from his bosom. There,
: said Mickenock, as the kniie that dranl
the hearts blood Of your brother; take i,
: like brave man, ayenge your brother
: death" This said, Mickcnock Instant,
= laid bare his whole heart The brothc
y spa, upon his hand, clcnchcd the knit
with death grasp, and drew up his arm
Il Mickcaock pointing to the spot neares
;. his heat, gave the word Strike !" In
C s,auty the brother plunged his knife t
r the hit into the bosom Of the brave Mick
}. cnock, who fell dead at his feet.
The wife and children Of Mickenoc
/. bchcld the whole scene, apparently with
out moving muscle; but the mom2ntl
I, expired, they Cell upon him and embrace
e. him, with sohs, and tears, and groa0s, an
i'll wailings, which cannot be described, an
10 altogether presented a picture Of such VI