Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-03-05
now A MIAMI CHIEF wAs
tz@ElTg4 t& WElGHED. IT.. ~ s:g Il,

bash Valleys, for d long time after the
Indian wsfs,, and tho subjdgation Of the
country to to the dominion OF municipal
law held stsort of supremacy, because Of
their superior numbers over the white
! porulation, or ct lsass, so nuehr a to
csuss their depredations upon each other
to be overlooked, o. wiuked At BY the civil
authorities. During this tins, Fort Wayne,
the headquarters Of the Miapies, Ottawss
and Poltawattamies, was the scene OF
many brutal murder, which for want Of
power in the white population, was suf:
fered to 60 unpunished. This, Of course,
caused an accu mutation Of murders, and,
as = consequences, frequently brought
those warlike tribes in hostile collision
With each other.
At length, however, about the year
1925 or 80, when the white population
had increased to about two or three hun.
dred persons, it was thought proper to
assume more authoritative attitude, and
If possible, to arrest the further progress
Of Indian murders +
The resolation had hardly been formed,
before an opportunity was presented to
try the extent Of the white mans power !;
one, too, which is no less amusing for its
novelty, than Tor its Development Of In
dian customs and Indian conceptions of
municipal law. ... - ,@".-
A Miami Chief, called Bly, leg, because
Of the large and muscular dimenaions of
his limbs, which showed to great advan.
tage when riding on horseback, was the
irst to undergo the transition from savage
to civilized punishment. r.
he was iull'5looded Indian, and the
son of chief, who at his outset in the
world, had given him, as = part of his
portion, a 6ns young and interesting
squaw. This gift was the more valuable
because she was child Of the same father,
but by a different mother. Big.leg as we
before said, was q pure Indian, but she
was the daughter Of negro woman, whom
his father had taken prisoner in the In
dian wars. Whether she was at any time
regarded exclusively as mere item of
property, is not definitely known. But Is
neitherhe nor she had ever read the xviii
chapter of Leviticus, or the Christian
codes founded thereon, they knew Of no
objection to . matrimonial union where
the ties Of consanguin;ty extended onlyt
the half blood; accordingly, the master
AID slave we're exchanged for the more
afsctionate one of husband aud wife, or
Indian and squaw, aud, Is such, they lived
together in peace and ha,mony for many
years. .-..>ut>A ..... j .... IF.
AT lsngth, however, for some cause of
which " are not advised, they separa.sd
and agreed to pursue their respective
Journeys alone. Bis.legr continued to re-
side in his ancient wigwam; and, o.. he
was a good hnnter, kept it we'll supplied
with ven;soa.e But she seems to have been
less fortunate. and either FROM want, or
to crafty . thievish nature, would return,
when he was absent, and steal his pro
yisions. .svnaa sh = l..s+ =aI--
This was an intrusion which 10 looked
upon With much less allowance in. the
savage than in tho civilized state not
only because thefts are Of less frequent
occurrence, but because women are Of less
value; And in this case, because the squaw
was the exclusive property Of the Indian,
which he could, At bis pleasure. have dis.
posed Of in any way be saw proper, aud
been justified by the Indians law. Under
these circumstances. he no doubt reflected
On himself for not having executed his
sovereign right while the objec. of his
vengeance was in his power. Yet still,
as she had been his bosom companion for
many years, his cruel bloody nature, for
such nature his appearance indicated,
seems to have been somewhat appeased !;
and without seeking her destruction, he
again sent her word that further intru.
sion would cost her life. This seems to
hsve had but little effect; for the sams
odssce was sgain repeated. Big'leg new
determined THAI tho word Of a. Ildian
brave should not be idle; and according gly,
hs sought for an opportunity to consam.
mate his resolvs. i.#*5Y8a oa.a a7o #@ads
She, knowing the Indian cAstoms, and
supposing herself insecure in her tribe,
retreatsd 70 Fort Wayne. Hither her once
husband, but nov determined enemy, fol-
lowed her; and while lurking round in
her pursuit discovered her At work, 10 the
yard a. hotel, leaning over washtub.
Now, thought hs, wss the. time y make
good his resolve, and 70 prove tho extent
Of bis power. Accordingly, With the d.