Arkansas democratic banner., 1851-11-25
Vol. K.
The Indian Banner.

tempted 10 justify by saying that the Winuebago had wrapped around his person the blanket of an Indian who short time previous had murdered his brother. The WinnebagoeS became indignant at the act. and about two thousand of them as | sembled at Fort Crawford, and demanded of Col. l Taylor the procurement and surrender of the Tur- derer The officers of the Fort, apptehensise that new difficulties might arise with r is facous tribe, if their demands were unattended to. concluded to make an effort O obtain the murderer. Accor- dngly an officer was despatched to demand him of the Sioux nation, who immediately gave him up, and he was brought down the river and confined at Fort Crawford. Soon after his arrival at the Fort, the Winnebagoes assembled again and in- prisoner to them, which Col Taylor refused to make, but despatched Lieut. R. and Dr. Eluise. the surgeon of the garrison, to have a talk with them upon the subject At the conference the Wnnebsgoes talked in threatening and over bearing manner and insisted that nothing would satisfy them but taking the life of the Sioux in their own way and by themselves. At length Lieut.. R. proposed that the Indian should have a chance for his life, in the following manner:
 lWO WeChS HUH thub tiiifG HC WI to pC iSu Out upon the prairie, and in line with him, ten paees off, was to be placed on his right and left twelve Of the most expert runners of the Winnebago na- ton, each armed with tomahawk and scalping knife.
 At the tap of the drum the Sioux should he free to start for the home of his tribe, and the Winne bagoes free to pursue, capture and scalp him if they could.
 To this proposal the Winnebagoes acceded at once, and seemed much pleased with the antici- patton of great sport, well as an easy conquest of the prisoner, whose confinement in the garrison during the two weeks, they believed would pros trate whatever running qualities he posseSsed.-l Their best runners were immediately brought m and trained every day in full sight of the Fort Lieut.. R., who was something of aspoEtsman, aud who had warmly enlisted in the cause of the Si- oux, determined to have hls Indian m the best possible trim Accordingly Dr. Euise took him in charge, prescribing his :, regulating his hours of repoSe, and directing the rubbing of his body with flesh brushes, twice q day, immediately be- fore he went upon the parade ground to perform his usorning and evening trainings. In fact so carefully was he trained and fitted for the race of life and death that he was tined upon the parade ground, the fourth day before the race, and per formed the astonishing feat of furtyone miles m two hours, apparently without fatigue.
 The day at length arrived. Thousands of h. dans, French, Americans, and others had assem- bed to witness the scene. In fact it was regarded as gala day by all, except the avenger of his brother Sue. Lieut. R., on the part of the pris- oner, and tie celebrated war chiefs War kon- shutes- kee and Pnetop on the part of the Win nebsgoes superintended the arrangement of the parties upon the ground. The point agreed upon for starting was upon the prairie little to the north ot Prairie du Chen, and few rods from the residence then occupied by Judge Lockwood while the race track lay along the Nine Mile Prai rie strntcfng to the north, and skrting the shore of the Mississippi. The Sioux appeared upon the ground, accompanied by guard of soldiers, who were followed by his twenty four antagonists, marching in Indian file, naked, with the exception of the Indian breechlet. Their ribs were painted white, while their breasts were adorned with number of hyroglyphical paintings. Across the face alternate stnpes of white and black were painted, in parallel lines extending from the chin to the forehead. The hair was plated into numerous thongs, fringed with bells, and tasselled with a red or white feather, while their moceasiHs were corded tightly abound the hollow of the foot, as well as around the ancle, with the sinews of the deer.-- In the right hand each carried his tomahawk, while the left grasped the sheath that contained the scalpng knife.
 
 The prisoner was about twenty-three years of age little less than SIX feet high, of muse ulsr, we'll -proportioned contour, and manifested in the easy movements of his body, a wiTy and agile command of his muscular powers; his oountenance presented a wan and haggard appearance, as he stood upoa the ground, owing partly to the rigid discipline he had undergone in training, aud partly to hls having painted his face black, with the figure of horse- shoe in hte, upon his forehead, which denoted that hewas condemned to die, with the privilege of making an effort to save his life by aeetness. Around his neck he wore a narrow belt of wampum, to which was appended the scalp that he had taken from the Winnebsgo.
 Soon after they had formed in line, Lieut.. R. came up and took of one of the moec asions of the Indian and showed the chief that he thought it eonlalned thlh piaie oi stcels and asked II they objected to 1t; to winch they replied that he might carry as much iron as he pleased. Lieut.. R. hav- ing noticed at the same time that the eounienance of the Indian presented downcast and melan- choly appearance, requested Dr. Eluise 10 come forward, who. after examining his pulse, reported that he was much excited, and that his nerves were in a uemulous condition. Lieut. R. imne- diately took hun out some distance in frout of the line whete he asked him. through his interpreter, fl he was afraid to run; and he replied that he was not afraid to run with any Winnebago on foot, but he was afraid he could not outrun all the 1 horses that were mcunted by armed Ipdiaps. The Lieutenant saw at os>e the cause othis alarm, i and nforE.ed hiri that they should not interfere He intended to ride the heetest horse upon the ground, and keep near him, and as he was well