Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1845-01-31
From the (Dubuque,) Iowa Transcript.
TIE INDIAN W.AR DRESs

About fifteen miles north west from the
head waters of the Northern Iowa, in the
midst OF an immense tract Of prairie coun-
try. Is situated beautiful island of timber.
covering about 6 hundred acres of ground.
The lofty oak. the walnut and the elm,
may here be seen lifting their tall tops, far
above the surrounding country, as beacons
to guide the footsteps of the tired Sioux.
as ne returns from the Buffalo chase at The
close OF day. A beautiful rivulet flows
beneath the shade of the wild plum tree,
whose branches are densely interviewer
with the grape vine and creeping moss
flower.
Here is situated very ancient village
of the Sioux nation, who resort to it only
during the season for hunting the buffalo.
A few years ago l determined TO visit
those hunting grounds, and thus crafty
longing desire to mingle in the sports Of a
buffalo chase. Accordingly l set out foe
that purpose, and at the close of my frs,
days journey reached the town of Sodom;
small village in the county of Clayton,
Immediately upon the borders Of the neu-
trail ground, where thriving and prosper
Gus business is carried on in the import.
ing and exporting of the con,raband ar,i-
Gle Of whlskey. l took lodgings at the
sign of the Indian Queen sitting astride of
whikey barrel. kept oy mine host Mr..
Thorn, who also exercised the important
and responsible duties of mayor of Sodom.
Sodom in those days was the scene
of many on interesting border tale, bu, now
how fallen! Her buildings present an
ancient, dilapidated appearance her AL
dermen and Common Council have desert
ed her, bu. her gallant Mayor is still at his
pos. dispensing comfort to the Indian and
hospitality TO the white man.
But must leave Sodom for a future
tale, and pass on with my Sioux guide for
the hunting grounds. Early next morning
we mounted our horses and pushed them
across the prairie, until the sitting sun re-
vealed to our view the dark outline of the
Fores. Isle, rising gently above the west
ced our faded hags couIu NOT accomplish
before dark. Accordingly we dismoun'ed
at a prairie spring for the purpose of en-
camping, and gave our horses the spansel-
ed freedom of the prairie. My companion
short, thick busting little Indian, with
keen shrewd mercantile countenance,
proud TO be an importer Of whiskey at the
Fores, Isle, and was then returning from
Sodom, where he had been for the pur-
pose of making arrangements with the
house Of Thorn & Co., for the supplies
during the hunting season. Two unwlel-
DIV kegs that had been humping against
the ribs of his horse all day, contributed a
part Af their contents TO our evening re-
past while che varied music of the how
ling wolf lulled us to reposea and on our
sun hehelu us as~:.. ...~"n'oo' GA"
.rav few miles from our encampme,nr'
ns nassed buffalo cow with young can
W. annroached near enough to them' &c
ohserve tina, the COW had been attacked o!
Tho wolves during the night, as the oloou.
and lacera,ed condition OF hef caro- CAV
nose proved. ro.obe
In the early part Of the day. we feac a".
tho Forest Isle, when 10y companion SCI
aso,ed from me for the purpose OF secfe
';nG his liouor. l approached the vlllag
nnobserved. II consisted OF a vast num N.Y.
Of w;gwams erected promlscuous'y ov'
y, ,,;, ss an ex.en. of ground. and which az
la aared 10 be entirely abandoned. h''
far,her on. discovered large concouI'
'u' asonle men, women and children co
! ~ .apra,ed around some object OF unusu
s ss,,rsc,;on. Having secured my morse
: hurried on the hope of being gra' me W e.
!. The view of Buffalo dance. ne II
= oh;ec. ,ha, drew my attention was SIM
3. ion, dearborn wagon, on the opposite 81
l. &c which. hurrying about in small CIT
S, ...s tall raw boned fellow. with II
Is ,;an ronndabou. on, and nankeen par
II looms tucked in at the top OF his boo
II while the small chip hat that was ao)us
ch mon one side of his head toge'ner ',
/ ,be red and white diagonal stripes
oh no,., The button holes of his Vest' ev'as
IN -. o. him to be one Of those mgr;
IT. y =, Pp;neds from the land of steady har
, en- = was busy unloosing and setting .
~, IVY half dozen wooden clocks. lms Pa q
nv h;s labor was just completed as G
ed, mn when they were all set gong,
um o u,p,;k;no the hour of twelve. The Ina
ans s shon,e1 and laughed and skipped az
AXE seeming seeming to enjoy the new production o.
'al. mus;c With great glee. Our down.e.
nd. now proceeded TO address the pL, ns
en- en-. " ob;sf. who could not speak or undeIs
to word Of English, but sat smoking.
80 and wondering what 1t coul.
zm "s, You see Square, said our
, "I, my name is Ichabod Niles: IN nei here
H." m m dreadful smart chance on ns, :
), was ,honeh, I'd iis, come up and swap swap,
sse, -. of roval genuine cloch.' - :.
ig's ~ go, All haugn. SAID ".I :
lngs cheaP ,,;,g the expression WIN
curt accompany, .uow' said Ichab0d