The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-24
From the Galena (Ill.) Advertiser.
THE SIOUX WARRIORS RACE FOR
9 tt LIFE, faH


n During the Summer of 49,, soon afel
the difficulties with the Winnebago Indian.
, had been amicably adjusted by visit o
f, one of their chiefs to Washington, accom-
panied by Governor Cass, a Sioux lndisn
while out hunting by the mouth OF Roo
River, shot and scalped a Winnebago
: which act he attempted to justify by say,
J ing that the Winnebago had wrapped
around his person the blanket Of an Indi
an who at short time previous had mur.
dered his brother. The Winnebagoes be.
: came indignant at the act. and two thous.
and of them assembled at Fort Crawford
and demanded of Col. Taylor the pro.
curement and surrender Of the murderer.
The officers of the fort, apprehensive
that difficulties might arise with this fac
tous tribe if their demands were nna,tend.
ed TO concluded TO make and effort to oh.
tain the murderer Accordingly an officer
was dispatched TO demand him OF the ST.
oux 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
assembled and insisted upon an uncondi-
tional surrender Of the prisoner TO them,
which Col. Taylor refused TO make, but
dispatched Lieut.. R. and DR.. Eluise, the
surgeon OF the garrison, to have talk
with them upon the subject. AT the con-
ference the Winnebagoes talked in a
threatening and overbearng 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
chance for his life in the following man.
ner. @9F.HfI h
Two weeks from that time he was TO be
led ou; upon the prairie. and in line with
him ten PAGES off, was 10 be placed upon
his right and left, twelve of the most pert
runners of the Winnebago nation. each
armed with tomahawk and scalpilg
knife. @ tsu'
AT the tap Of drum the Sioux should
be free to start for the home of his tribe
and the Winnebagoes free to pursue, cap
ture and scalp him if 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 in the garrison during
two weeks, they believed would PROSTATE
whatever running qualities he possessed
Their best runners were Immediately
brought in, and trained every day in full
sight of the fort. Lieut.. R. who had
warmly enlisted in the cause Of the Sioux.
determined to have his Indian in the best
possible trim. Accordingly Eluse took
him in charge, prescribing his diet. regu.
lating the hours of repose, and directing
the rubbing Of his body twice day with
flesh brushes Immediately before he went
upon the parade ground to perform his
morning and evening training. In fact
so carefully was he trained and fitted for
the race oflife and death, that he was tim
ed upon the parade ground the fourth day
before the race, and performed the aston
ishing feat Of forty.one milesin two hours.
apparently without fatigue.
The day at length arrived. Thousands
of Indians, French, Americans, and 9th.
ers had assembled to witness the SEEM
In fact. it was regarded as a gala day by
all except the avenger of his brother Sioux.
Lieut. K. on the part OF the prisoner,
and the celebrated war-chiefs War.kon-
shutes-kee and Pine Top on the part of
the Winnebagoes, superintended the ar
rangement of the parties on the ground.-
The point agreed upon for starting was
upon the Prairie, a little to the North of
Prairie did Chien, and a few rods from the
residence then occupied by Judge Lock-
wood, while the Race Course ran along
Nine Mile Prairie. stretching to the North ,
and skirling the shore of the Mississippi.
The Sioux appeared upon the ground &C. ,
,ompanied by guard OF soldiers. who :
we're followed by twenty-four antagonists.
marching in Indian file, naked with the ,
exception of the Indian breechlet. Their J
IBIS were painted white, while their breasts !
we're adorned with number OF hero :
,lyphical paintings. Across the face al J
ornate stripes of black and white were I,
painted in parallel lines, extending from
he chin to the forehead.
The hair was plated into numerous !
hongs lringed with bells and tasseled with ;
red or white feather, while their moccs- ]
'ins were corded tightly around the hol- J
ow ofthe foot as well as around the an. !
lie, with the sinews Of the deer. In the +
light hand each carried tomahawk,
While the left graspsd the sheath that con-
aimed the scalping knife.
The prisoner was about twenty-three Il
ears Of age, little less than six fee, in Il
eight, Of muscular and well proportion .
d contour. and manifested in the easy d
novements Of his body, wiry and agile l.
ommand Of his muscular powers. His b
ountenance presented a wan and has, 81
ard appearance, as he stood upon the a
round, owing partly to the rigid discip- a
ne he had undergone in training, and te
artly 10 his having painted his face black. h
IfsE Ersrr <>Ts Il Il. - &