The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-27
INDIAN FEUDS.
A Thrilling Incident in the His
tory of Minnesota.

tV4y VI 4AAA~ SSSs~s
Prom ths Anral, Of The Minnesota Histories! Soei
ets By Rsv. Bdssard D. NsiHl
In the autumn of 1926, party of Chippewas
came to Fort Smelling just at daybreak, and
nroceeded directly to the Fort. There were
tWenty-four persons in the band, eight OF whom
were warriors the rest were women and chill.
dren. The chief was Kweeweezaizhish, or the
Flat Mouth, the great man of the Sandy Lake
Chippewas He led his little troop straight to
the fort, where he unfurled and planted an
American flag, and then demanded an inter-
view with the agent and commanding officer.
The Dakotas soon learned what was passing,
and by the time the gates were opened con.
siderable number of them had assembled to
gaze upon the enemy. Presently the officers
came forth and desired the visitors to enter.
"Be not angry, father" replied the Flat
Mouth, "but I would rather say something
here, before enter your wigwam or eat your
bread. desire that these Nahtooessies Gene
mies) should hear it."
The Colonel sent for the Chippewa interpre-
ter, and when he had come desired the chief to
''Father," said the chief. "you know that
moro than year since we made peace with
your Nahtooessie children, because you desired
Us. We have kept the peace and listened to
yOuI o0tlCC, oe VIC aWoyo w, iOI OuE dmcIls
can fathers are wise men and advise us tor our
good. These men know whether they have
done so or not. I speak with . sick heart.
We are but few here and these men will not
keep the peace with u.s. We ask you to pro-
/. tect us as we would protect you, if you should
come into our country"
The Colonel replied that he could have no
concern with the quarrels of the Dskotas and
Chippewas. II they fought anywhere else he
could not help Ii but while they remained un-
der bis flag they should not be molested, pro.
vided they did not molest others. He bade
them pitch their lodges on spot within mus
ket shot Of the walls and there he said and
thought they would be safe. He would make
their cause his own If any harm should come
to them there. This speech being expounded
70 the Dakotas, they all exclaimed Hachee!
hachee hachetoo !"-that is it that is right
Tho Flat Mouth then entered the Fort and
partook Of American hospitality. He then ex-
planned the object of his visit. 1t was the old
story, repeated the thousandth time. They
were very poor; they had left their friends at
home with heavy hearts and hoped that their
father would give them something to make
them glad. In short, the endless catalogue of
Indian wants was summed by humble peti.
tion for little of their fathers milk (whisky)
to make them cry" for certain friends they.
they had lost. This shameless beggary should
not be taken as proof of want of spirit. The
main point in their political code is equality of
property; he that has two shirts thinks it q
duty to give one to him who has none. He
who has none thinks it no shame to ask
one OF him who has two. The effect of this
system Is, that they are are always In want of
everything and the application Of their own
principle of action To their white neighbors
makes their company excessively troublesome.
1t is true that they are willing to reciprocate,
as far rs lies in their power, but then they
never have anything to give.
On the OccasiOn in nnpsfiOn tho Ghippovpa
friends got, if not all they asked. yet more
than they had expected. Then. after having
entered the garrison with the Buffalo dance,
they left the Fort, and set up their lodges as
they had been directed.
In the afternoon Toopunkah Zeze arrived
from the Batture dlr FSerres, with seven of his
own band and one other. They went directly
to the Chippewa camp and entered the largest
lodge, where it happened that there were just
nine persons. The young Dakota above named
held in his hand pipe, the stem of which was
gaily ornamented with porcupine's quilts and
hair stained red. The Chippewas spread skins
for his party, shook hands with them, invited
them courteously to be seated They also di.
rected the women instantly to prepare feast
OF venisen, corn and maple sugar, all of which
articles were mixed together and placed before
the Dakotans in brimming bOwles. When
the entertainment was over Toopunkah Zeze
filled the peace.pipe he had brought and pass
ed 1t around. None rejected it, and all might,
therefore consider themselves pledged to
peace If not 10 love. The conversation then
became general and amicable. The Chippewa
women coquetted with the Dakotian youths,
who seemed in no wise to consider them as
enemies.
No Dakota is suffered to wear a war eagles
feather in his hair till he has killed his man,
Toopunkah Zeze wore one for the Chippewa
he had so treacherOusly slain the year before,
as we have already related One of the fair
Chippewas noticed it. "YOu are young to
wear that" said she.
~ shall wear another before am much old
err" he replied.
and so many demonstrations of good will. no
one could have suspected any sinister purpose.
The Chippewas, too. might have relied on
their proximity to the Fort. But the heart
of man is desperately wicked" The Dakotas
had shook hands and Smoked the pipe'of peace
with their former foes, had eaten of their fat
and drank of their strong. At last ut sunset,
they took their guns and rose to depart. The
eignt foremost halted outside the door, while
the last held it aside with his foot, and all dis.
charged their guns into the lodge, excepting
one, whose piece missed fire. The assassins
gave the Indian c'i de jon, and fled like deer.
lne guns were heard in the Fort, and the
news soon reached the commanding officer.
who Immediately ordered an officer to proceed
to the nearest village with an hundred u.en.
and apprehend as many Dakotas as possibly he
could. No time was to be lost, for the night
was fast coming up the horizon. The Chippe.
was wn9 were neoVea MOT 1av Joined the Cir
just as the party left the gate, npwards Of a
hundred armed Dakotas appeared on low
ridge near the Fort. Captain - divided his
force and dispatched one party round small
wood to take the enemy in the rear. while he
advanced upon them in front The Dakotas
Gapf thas~ In,
themselves with the scattered scrub oak