Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-12-30
A Dit OF HISTORY

Some l6 years ago, this tribe, still
li,in. on their old grounds at Indian
town, IN Tama County, having become
quite troublesome to the white settlers
on account D! their disposition to steal,
i petition was presented to the Cover
nor asking tor their removal. AS the
land i3sd beer purchased By the Gov.
crnmGi,t, ci, which they werc living, he
cos. ,.s-iei will, their request, and sent
ioice OF troops:o convey them to the
territory OF Kansas. 1t Was no sight
task, for their attachment to their old
hunting grounds was very strong, and
amid the pro;es:ations OF the men, and
tears and moans OF the women, they
were removed.
The country - which they were Ia
ken did moi seem favorable TO them
game WAS scarce ans! tie drou,h ct
summer dried up the grass for their
ponies. so that since then the tribe has
gradually been decreasing. One 10y
one they have wandered back to their
old homes to die, until now there are
in all, 2OS men, women, and children
mere, ~ pc Ouiltu III tilC ist!lt vi ilclt
fathers, beside some familiar stream, or
rock. or tree, seems 10 be cherished
wish among them.
THEIR MODE OF BURIAL.
Sometimes the bodies are raised to
the top Of some tall tree and fastened
with thongs; again, placed in the earth,
frequently to the depth of ten feet, aud
again, in sitting posture, with the up
per part OF the person exposed.
A little over Il dozen years ago, one
Of their noted braves was, after death,
SUSPENDED in the top of large elm,
seventy ieet from the ground, which
stands near the present town of Oxford.
1t remained there Tor several years, the
bones dropping out one by one, though
now no trace OF it can be seen. The
tree can still be pointed out to the
north OF the railroad, standing in the
timber. Near this, or about the same
time, a squaw was buried in a sitting
posture, and remained visible for tour
or live years, being protected by an
inclosurc Of rails.
South-e east from Belle plainc, where
Buckeye Greek empties into the Iowa
River, about Il or II years ago, chief
was buried in this manner, With his RI
lie placed to his shoulder, both hands
being c!asped tightly around it. As
their departed ones arc always lmme.
dately inferred, it accounts for the
grasp which the stiffening process OF
death gave to his fingers. Some strag-
ling vandal removed it, and the war
rior was left with 10 weapon to use in
the "Happy Hunting Grounds" Of
ten their ponies are taken over their
graves and shot, and the blood mingled
with the freshly turned earth, IN order
that it may accompany them to tho
"Spirit Land.
THEIR CAMP.
They have purchased from tho farm
ers at different times, 4l9 acres of land
between Tama City and Oxford, near
Indiantown. their former homo. Here
they have put up their 'wlck-e-ups" or
wigwams which are scattered over tho
whole property. In summer they live
in houses of bark, which serve as 4
protection from the sun; but in winter,
the old fashioned wigwam, thatched
with tiags-a description OF which is ia
millar to every one. Most of their
number start out every tall on hunting
or begging excursions, leaving guard
at the camp to protect their timber.
The present chief is a son of Otto
"Powcshiek," lin honor OF whom one
Of our counties is named.) aud is called
"Wau.an wan-e-ka."
He is superior Indian, about 40
years ofage. His brother, "Po-toc-to," !"
is the "medicine man." who watches
over the physical welfare OF the tribe.
HOW THEY LIVE.
The government annuity for this
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