The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-06-11
The Sioux Warriors Race for Life

The Sioux Warriors Race for Life.
During the summer of 1S--, soon after
the difficulties with the Winnebago In
dians had been amicably adjusted by a
visit of the chiefs to Washington, accom-
plished by Governor Cass, Sioux Indian,
while out hunting by the mouth OF the
Root River, shot and scalped Winneba-
90, which act he attempted TO Justify by
saving that the Winnebago had wrapped
around his person the blanket of an In
dian who, short time previous, had muir
dered his brother. The Winnebagoes be-
came indignant at the act, and about two
thousand of them assembled at Fort
Crawford, and demanded OF Col. Taylor
the procurement and surrender of the
murderer. The officers of the Fort, ap-
prehensive that new difficulties might
arise with this factious tribe, il their de-
mands were unattended 10, concluded TO
make an effort TO obtain the murderer.
Accordingly 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 again assem-
bled and insisted upon an unconditional
surrender of the prisoner to them, which
Col Taylor refused to make, but de-
spatched Lieut.. R. and DIR. Elulse, the
surgeon of the garrison, to have a talk
with them upon the subject AT the con
ference, the Winnebagoes talked in a
threatening and overbearing manner, and
insisted that nothing would satisfy them
but taking the life OF the Sioux in their
own way and by themselves. Al length
Lieut.. R. proposed that the Indian should
have chance for his life in the follow
ing manner:
Two weeks from that time he was to
be led out upon the prairie, and III llne
with him ten PAGES off, was to be placed
upon his right and left, twelve of the
most expert runners OF the Winnebago
nation, each armed with a tomahawk and
scalping knife.
AT the tap of the drum, the Sioux
should be free to start for the home OF his
tribe, and the Winnebagoes free to pur-
sue, capture and scalp him il they could.
To this proposal the Winnebagoes ac-
Ceded at once, and seemed much pleased
with the anticipation of great sport, as
well as an easy conquest OF the prisoner,
whose confinement III the garrison during
the two weeks, they believed, would
PROSTATE whatever running qualities he
possessed. Their best runners were I'M
mediateLy brought in and trained every
day in full sight OF the fort Lieut. R.
who was something OF a sportsman, auc
who had warmly enlisted IN the cause o
the Sioux, determined to have his lndlaI
in the best possible trim. Accordingly
Eluise took him in charge, prescribing
his diet, regulating the hours OF rePoSe
and directing the rubbing OF his body
twice a day with flesh brushes Imme
dia!ely before he went upon the parade
ground to perform his morning and eve
ming trainings In fact SO carefully was
he trained and fitted for the race Of lite
and DEATH that he was timed upon the
parade ground, the fourth day before the
race, and performed the astonishing feat
of forty-one miles in two hours, appa-
rentIy without fatigue.
The day at length arrived. Thousands
of Indians, French, Americans and others
had assembled to witness the scene. In
fact it was regarded as a gala day by all
except the avenger Of his brother Sioux.
Lieut. r.. on the part Of the prisoner,
and the celebrated war chiefs War-kon-
shutes-kee and Pine Top on the part Of
the Winuebagoes, superlntended the ar
rangement of the parties on the ground.
The point agreed upon for starting, was
upon the prairie little 10 the north OF
Prairie du Chen, and a few rods from
the residence then occupied by Judge
Lockwood, while the race course ran
along the Nine Mile Prairie, stretching
to the North, and skirtlng the shore Of
the Mississippi The Sioux appeared
upon the ground accompanied by guard
of soldiers, who were followed by his
twenty-tOuT antagonists, marching in In
dian file, naked, with the exception of
the Indian breechlet Their ribs were
painted white, while their breasts were
adorned with a number OF herogIiphical
paintings. Across the face alternate
stripes of black and white were painted
IN parallel lines, extending from the chin
to the forehead.
The hair was plated into numerous
thongs, fringed with bells, and tasseled
with red or white feather, while their
moCcasins were corded tightly around
the hollow Of the foot as well as around
the ankle, with the sinews of the deer
In the right hand each carried his toma
hawk, while the left grasped the sheatl
that contained the scalping knife.
The prisoner was about twenty-five,
years Of age, little less than six feet !,
height, of a muscular and well propor
toned contour, and manifested in tn
easy movements Of his body, a wiry an
agile command of his muscular powers
his countenance presented wan an
haggard appearance as he stood upo
the ground, owing partly to the rigi