Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-05-05
Rock Island..ItS Early History.

"A correspondent Vi TIC M SsOuIl rs
publican has the following in reference
to the early history of Rock Island
The stranger who visits this section
Of the upper Mississippi, can scarcely
realize that thirty years since, it was in
habited exclusively by the red man.
Previous to the famous Black Hawk
war, this was the reservation and en-
campment of the Sacs and Foxes. The
whole bottom, from Moline to Camden,
formed their common corn-feld. Tho
knolls formed by the corn-hills, are
visible all over the surface of the uncul-
tivated parts of this space. The true
history Of the Black Hawk war has yet
to be written, and when written will add
another to the accumulated wrongs
heaped by the white man upon the sons
of the forest. These tribes occupied
this section, and had it reserved to them.
But the white settlers coveted their vine
yard. The Government agent tried in
vain to induce Black Hawk and the In
dian council to sell. But Keokuk, =
chief of the Fox trlbc-the head of his
own tribe, but subordinate to Black
Hawk, O"ief of the associated tribes, as
pired to be the principal chief. The
agent intrigued with this chief, and by
promising him preferment and a subsi-
dairy Of arms, blankets, money, &C., in
duced him to sign treaty ceding these
lands to the United States Government.
This treaty was not legally binding
was repudiated by Black Hawk and the
whole associated tribes. Yet the Gov
eminent, melted by the public opinion
among the settlers who ware anxious to
possess these lands, compelled adherence
to the treaty. Black Hawk did all in
his power to avoid a conflict, which be
foresaw would end in the destruction of
his people. He offered to cedc all
these coveted lhnds, reserving only GER
tain privileges to his people. But all
his concessions we're refused, and strict
compliance of the bond made by Keo-
kuk insisted upon. When the first
body of troops entered the district he
sent out an embassy with flag of truce,
but it was basely fired on, and some Of
the men killed before his eyes. Per-
ceiving this from his watchtower upon
the high bank Of Rock river, from which
the eye sweeps over vast extent of
country, he sounded the war hoop and
summoned all his energies to the con-
Hict. Such is the account given me by
an old and intelligent resident of this
section, as we passed the precipice known
as Black Hawks Tower.
A Good Joke on Gen. Cass.
The senior, Mr.. Guy, of the National
Hotel at Washington, bears likeness
to General Cass, and upon this the COR
Of tho New York Times tells
the following story:
A stranger, who supposed be knew
mine host very well, put NY At National
the other night. Since this house has
become the crack hotel at the Capital,
it is quite full, and at this time, the new
conner necessarily, for the first night,
was sent to the upper floor to Sleep
Coming down stairs the next morning,
= little cross,he met General Cass there
who has fine suite of rooms in the
hall, stepped up to him, and in language
more forcible and rapid than elegant,
said:
"I'll be id if I'll stand it! You
have put me at tho top Of the house.
must have room somewhere lower
down."
General Cass, intcrposing and nervous
ly-" Sir, you are mistaken in the per-
son you are addressing. I am General
Cass Of Michigan"
Stranger confasedIy, Beg your par
don, General Cass-thought it was my
old friend Guy. Beg thousand par
dons, sir. All mistake, all mistake,
all mistake, assure you, sir"
The General passed out of the build.
ing, but soon returned, and as luck
would have it, the stranger met him full
IN the face again, but in another posi-
ton. This time he was sure be had
mine host, for the Senator from Michi-
gan' he knew, had just gone out. Sc
TN. .. stranger stepped boldly up, slapped
the General heartily and familiarly on
the shoulder, exclaiming:
by heavens, Guy, I've got a rich
sell to relate. | met old Cas- up stairs.
just now. thought it was YOU. and be-
gan cushing him about my ROOM"
General Cass with empha.i..) "wel,
man, you've met old Cas- again!
Stranger sloped and has not BEEN