Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-09-16
Indian Tragedy near Red
Rock.

Indian Tragedy near Red
Rock.
By VIM. NJ. DoNNEL.
From a paper on ''The Pioneer
OF Marion County," in the Anna,s Q
Io.ca.
We shall, however, take occasion
here to relate an event that transpired
near Red Rock, early in the fall d
1874, and which, on account OF it:
horrible details, is still fresh to the
memory Of those who witnessed it,
or lived in the neighborhood at the
time.
It is said to have been an occasion
al custom of the Indians Tor at least
with those who were thus disposed
To take crimianl liberties with such
squaws as should happen to be found
abroad, unattended by any other
T.erson. Any squaw thus found alone
was presumed to be not yirtuous,
md was therefore subject to the Ii
cersious attacksof any bad man. who.
undar these circumstances, was not
sablect 10 punishment for the crime.
The assault was called a feast.
On the occasion Of which we speak ,
i Winnefayo brave and his wife, a
likely young squaw, Of the Sac or
FOX tribes. had come down the Des
sIoines river on a trading expedition,
and were camped near Jordan's ira
ding house that stood, rs we stated
in the preceding chapter, on the south
Aide of the river, some distance above
tie ferry landing. About this time
tgo Indians, named Wan-pep-cah-
cob and poc-a-tuke, Glanced to be
prowling in the neighborhood, and
discovered the lady alone in the
woods. They thereupon deemed her
a fit subject for a "feast," but she es-
capped and returned to camp. Tow
ard evening of that day, or the next,
these indians were at Red Rock,
from which they could observe the
movements of their intended victim
at the camp. At about dark they
made their appearance at the trading
house and attacked the squaw again,
as she was preparing to light the
camp fire, when she took refuge In
The house. Her husband, who was
absent ut the time, on his return
asked her why she had not lighted
he fire. She then told him how she
had been followed and prosecuted by |
he two bad Indians, who were still
without, intending to camp on the
Ground. Hearing this, Gordon per-
mitted the brave and his wife to re-
main indoors that night.
But the Winncbago was not con-
tent to merely escape, for the time
Icing, the unwelcome presence OF
these "sons OF Belial'--hish honor had
been compromised in that OF his
wife. He was deeply incensed, and
nothing but a bloody revenge could
heal the wound. With this feeling
ne announced his purpose to go out
and kill them. On accOsting them
angry words followed, and they both
assaulted him, probably Woodworking
that he was armed. lie resisted the
assault with his hunting knife.
Wan-pep-coh-cah received eleven
mortal stabs, and Pac-a-tnke one
across the abdomen letting out his
towels, which he caught and sup
ported with his hands as they fell,
and as he sank to the ground In an
agonizing death.
This took place about nine o'clock
III night. None but the actors wit
messed the deed, but the strokes Of
tie knife were distinctly heard with
IN, and the scene next morning was
such as to warrant the truth of the
above marathon,
{. Next morning several white men
collected at the scene Of the tragedy,
ard sent a report Of 1t to chief
named Pashapaho, who, with his
party Of about three hundred, had
been down the day before, but re-
turned and camped on what ID now
called Stark's Island, two or three
miles above Red Rock. Pashapaho,
OH hearing the news, Immediately
sent one of his braves down with
peremptory orders to kill the muir
derer. Apparently no thought was
entertained OF giving him a trial for
Ills life, not even inquiring as to how
sar be might bc justified in the COM
mission of the deed. The order was
To kill him.
The Winnehax0 remained at the
place, apparently trusting In the JUS
tihcation Of the act to shield hin from
the punishment Of common MUIR
derer, or else DESTROYS Of seeing what
action would be taken In his case.
But when he saw Pashapaho's agent
approaching, he comprehended ut Q
gIance his intended doom, and made
On attempt to escape. But too late.