Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-09-09
Death of Wau.Ne-Pe-Wink-A.

THE LAST MOMENTS OF THE DAUGHTER OF THE
| HEAD wINNEBAGo CHIEF-HER II ERAL.
| Correspondence Of tie Mihoaukee Wisconsin. }
Tunnel CRY, Wis, Thursday, Aug. 6
The death of the - Indian Princess and
daughter of the Head Winnebago Chief,
&" Danev,'' whose foot and leg were so
badly injured by the cars at La Crosse. oc-
CURED at Tunnel City Tuesday. Her
camp was pitched under tree, on the little
hilltop close by the village on the south
Modification began TO spread rapidly in the
forenoon of the day, when she gave up
hope of recovery. Soon after, with the
most mournful cadence, she commenced
chanting her death song. The plaintive
notes could be heard clearly by the villa
gers below, and the news passed rapidly
from house to house that the daughter of
the Chief was dying. Indians focked up
The hill and filled her wigwam. Her
strength still remained, and she raised her
self upon her elbow. She shook hands
with all, kissed her children and her
nurse, who had attended her so faithfully
As modification extended to her vltals, her
last moments were without pain.
Whites and Indians alike assisted in dress
ing her for burial. She was carefully
washed, her hair combed smoothly back,
fastened with a new, beautifully wrought
bead hand. Her cheeks were painted with
vermillion. Silver bobs were put in her
ears and her neck hung heavily with new
beads. Scarlet leggins, moccasins, blue
petticoat, red calico shirt and blanket, all
new and decorated, completed her ..outfit''
and gave her fitting dress for her ap-
pearance in the Spirit Land. AS she ss .ay
in state many young Indian girls from
the camps lifted the side of her tent and
threw in strings of beads and wampum-
A little sack of rice and tobacco was placed
by her head side.
Toward sunset she was put in full
length plain box and carried under Il tree
The Indians gathered in circle. with
their back to the coffin. A low chant was
sang, when an old Indian rose with folded
hands and looked toward the heavens. He
began speech, and pointing to the East
traced the different periods of her life as
illustrated by the course of the sun through
the sky. He closed with an earnest recital
of the brave and devoted acts that marked
the end of her life. After second chant
the coffin carried to the summit of the
hill on the opposite side of the village. "a
grave had been dug few feet from the
burial place of the great Winnebago orator
Wau- kon De- ko-ray, who was killed by the
cars here, four years ago. After the
corpse was lowered, q Dandy William, ;"
brother of the woman, stepped across the
grave, dropping handful of tobacco upon
the coffin. He was followed by other Indi-
ans present.
The 10 O'Clock evening train from the
East brought the old Chief Dandy who had
been back to his camp on the Wisconsin
River, Sunday. He had heard no word of
his daughters death. On learning the fact.
the old Chief smOte his breast, and sent forth
wall that seemed to pierce the very vault
of heaven. Leaving the crowd who had
gathered for his coming, he made his way,
silent and alone, up the winding path to the
grave. What emotions filled the old chiefs
breast on that lonely night pilgrimage. can
never be known. He was introduced.
through an interpreter to the old death of his
daughter, he smote his breast, and pointing
upward, exclaimed g My Daughter ~
With a sweep of his hand, he added :. The
Great Spirit made all-the red man as
well the white He looks upon all
as one. L have no bad feeling. 1t was the
will of the Great Spirit that my daughter
should die. She wanted to save the life of
her child, and in saving her child she lost
her own. She did not wish to live and be a
burden to others. She was ALWAYS a good
daughter and kind to her father. She has
gone to the Wau gree (Heaven) and he
expected soon 10 meet her there But her
two orphan children. who would have mercy
upon them - Old Dandy is seventy eight
years old, and evidently poor and failing in
health.