Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-09-04
Tragedy os Gi.d.,n Life,

'aheJ
A party Ct th::ty Wianebagoes came
down from tho scalp dance at which tho
triho WAS gathered on the Trempeleau
liver, in tic North, and cncampcd on
French Island, in ',o Mississippi River, just
above the 81. Iauiis I.aiiroal depot, at La
Crosse.
Tho bard was under the control of a we'll
known chief Of tho Winnebagoes named
Wan -kee-sc-locng g-cr-e er, or Snake Chief,
who had two wives, je-cs-ka and Hence
keo. Sees ka was about thirty years of
age, graceful in appearance, with ploas-
ant look aud an interesting face. With
whites she was favorite, while with the
Winnebagoes sho was looked upon very
kindly-indeed, adore with all the ardor of
Indian fervor. Snake Chief was warrior
of the Winnebagoes, and was very much
liked by his tribe. He was powerful and
brawny fellow, and when sober was peace.
ful and good natured when drunk he was
ugly and disagreeable. Ono of his favorite
pas-times, when ir this condition, was
beating his wives.
On Friday last, Snake Chief returned to
his wigwam drunk. Se-es-ke was in the
wigwam, and the chief commenced bcatine
her over tLc head and shoulders. Driven
to desperation, and unable longer to stand
his brutality, she drew her knife and stabb.
cd the chief twice, tho blade penetrating
the heart Of the warrior, who died instantly
while the first notes Of the death song we're
on his lips. The affair at once created a
sensation among tho Wannebagoes, who
did not know how 10 act. They loved
their chief, and they loved their chieftain's
wife. 1t is we'll known "regulation'
among the Indians that when a man is
slain, a relative must avengo his death by
taking the life Of the slayer. Se-cs-ka
knew this. Some of the Winnebagoes
urged her to fly, but she would not With
truo Indian resignation, she folded her
blanket about her and sat down in her
wigwam, facing the door, and awaited her
avenger. 1t was believed by many that
lte-neekee, the young and favorle wife
would be the avenger, but she seems 10 have
had no such intention. She mourned tho
loss Of her husband, but took no steps
further than to send runner up the Trcm.
boleau, where Snake Chiefs relatives were.
to notify them of what had taken place.
Meanwhile, Se-os-ka sat in her cabin,
chanting tie death song, stoica!ly indffer-
ent 10 what was going on about her, and
only talking when questions were asked
her.
On Sunday morning, an Indian from
lrempeleau made Ills appearance in camp.
Lie was known as Cl.an-no mega, and
had evidently travelled without hating
since he learned the death OF Snake Chief.
Entering tho camp, WITHOUT n word, lie
walked aolemn'y to the place where tho
body Of Snake Cheif lay, took a long look
at it, aud then turned sullenly away. No.
body spoke to him, yet all watched with
interest his movements. Deliberately
loading his gun with buck shot, he uuin-
terrup;edly walked deliberately to tho Wig
wam where Se-es-ka sat, she having &C.
maIned there since the murder, and tool:
one lock at tho woman, who loudly chant.
ed the death.song. Not muscle of the
woman's face moved, to denote that slo
labored under any excitemont, but she sat
there quietly and calmly, her eyes moving
upwards, Sand her voice, as the uncouth
song escaped her lips, steady and firm.
She Know the avenger was before her
that in another moment her spirit would
leave the fraii tenement Of clay and seek
that Of the chief who had gone before her;
yet no. look or sign.indicated that the fear.
cd the fate. Such Is Indian stoisism and
indifference.
The eyes Of the two did not meet. In
the face Of Ghau-no-ne-ga there was a
look Of mingled hate and revenge. De-
hberstely hsfaissd his musket to his shoul.
der-dslibsrafsiy he aimed 1t ;=at tile wo-
mans head-coolly lie fired. The report
rang out through the Indian camp-tho
emoke cleared away se-es-ka still sat
tbere=-her blanket about her--her arms
folded--bnt one side Of her head was COM
pletely away-her spirit had fed, and Tho
code Of fadian. justice was satisfied d-,Wau.
kee'se.hopg.er:e 81 vas avenged.
I The murderer, with just look to satisfy
him that his work had been well done,
shoufaerpd his lndsket and walked deliber.
ately oaf d the camp. Nobody spoke to
him-no body offered any interference,
and stepping into his canoo ho padded to
shore, and disappeared Is The woods, loav.
ing the Winn ebasoes stupefel.
RaTe AND; M1os.--To exterminato
thsm,i mig powdered nux vomica,with
[:oatmsal, and in their haunts, obscrv-
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