The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-13
Death of Wau-ne.pe-Wink k-a = The
Last Moments OF the Daughter Of
the Head Winneba.o Chief-Ezcr
Funeral.


the Head winnebaso Chief-.Izer
Funeral.
Correspondence of the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Tunnel CITY, WIS,
Thursday, August 6, 1868.
The death of the " Indian Princess" and
daughter of the head Winnebago Chief
Dandy" whose foot and leg were so bad
~ injured by the cars at La Crosse, occur
red at Tunnel City on Tuesday. Her camp
was pitched under tree, on the little hill
top close by the village on the south. Nor
tifcation 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 plainly by the vii
layers below, and the news passed rapidly
from house to house that the daughter of
the Chief was dying. Indians focked up
the hill and filed herwi igwam. Her strength
still remained, and she raised herself upon
her elbow. She shook hands with all, kiss-
ed her children and her nurse, who had at
tended her so faithfully. AS modification
extended to her vitals, her last moments
were without pain.
dressing her for burial. She was carefully
washed, her hair combed smoothly back,
fastened with new, bcautifully-wrought
bead band. 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
pet;icoat, red calico shirt and blanket, oil
new and decorated, completed her " outfit :"
and gave her fitting dress for her appear
ancc in the Spirit Land. As she lay 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
headside.
Toward sunset she was put in full
length plain box and carried under tree.
The Indians gathered in circle, with their
backs TO the coffin. A low chant was sung,
when an old Indian rose with folded hands
and looked toward the heavens. lie began
speech, and, pointing to the East, traced
the different periods Of her life, as illustra-
ted 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 a second chant, the
coffin was carried to the summit of the hill
on the opposite side of the village. A
grave had been dug a few feet from the bu-
rial-place of the great Winnebago orator
Wau-kon Dcko-ray, who was killed by the
cars here four years ago. After the corpse
was lowered, " Dandy William" brother OF
the woman, stepped across the grave, drop
ping handful Of tobacco upon the coffin.
lie was followed by other Indians present.
The IL o'clock evening train from the
East brought the old Chief Dandy, who had
been back to his camp, on the Wisconsin
river, Sunday. lie 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. Leavingthe crowd who had
gathered for his coming, he made his way.
silent and alone, up the winding path 10 the
crave. What emotions filled the old Chiefs
breast on that lonely night pilgrimage can
never be known. | was introduced through
an interpreter TO the old Chief in the morn
ing. When questioned upon the death o.
mis- daughter he smcte bis breast, and point
ing UPWARD, exclaimed, /" Ny dauJhter"
With sweep of his hand he added, " The
Great Spirit made us all--the red man a.
we'll as the white man. He looks upon al!
as one. 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 good
daughter, and kind to her father. She has
gone to the Wau-geree (Heaven), and he
expected soon to 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.