Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-04-15
AN IOWA CHIEF.

| When Ke0kuk and bis associates, after
making the treaty OF 1897, for the purchase
of another tract Of land, came back from
their village on the ID Moines river, but
spent the winter on Devil Creek, in Lee
county. The old man, doubtless feeling his
degradation, preferred to be isolated from
those whom he had been accustomed to
command, and erected his lodge for the
winter some forty miles from the boundary
of tie Indian country, where with his own
family, aid few favorite braves, they made
a temporary residence. His family consist
ed OF his wife, two sons, Nasl-she-ar-ku
and Sam-e-set, a daughter, Nan.ne-qua, and
her husband. Black Hawks companions
passed their time mostly in hunting deer,
turkeys and prairie chickens, which were
very abundant and offered them good
supply of provisions, while he spent most Of
his time 10 fixing his cabin aud exercising
his skill with mechanical tools. In the
spring of the year 1898, he removed into
the Indian country, ard built his lodge on
the Des MONIES river, IA short distance above
the old Iowa indian village where was sub.
sequently laid out the town of Iowaville.
"Here he had very comfortable bark cab.
in which be furnished in imitation of the
whites, with chairs, table, mirror and
mattress. His dress was that of the o,her
chiefs with exception of II broad-brimmed
| black hat, which he usually wore." He
kept cow and adopted many Of the habits
of civilized lie. During the summer he
cultivated few acres of ground, and raised
quite a crop of corn, melons and other veg
etables. His lodge was often visited by the
whites who were always received by the old
chief Hospitality, and treated to the best it
afforded.
On the fourth Of July, 1898, the citizens
Of Fort Madison got up u celebration and
gave Black Hawk special invitation to
attend, which was accepted, and the old man
was decidedly the lion of the day. At the
dinner table he was complimented with the
following toast:
"Our illustrious guest, Black Hawk-may
his decling years be as calm and serene as
his previous life has been 0oisierous and
full of warlike incidents. His attachment
and friendship to his white brethren may
fully entitle him to q seat at our festive
board"
In reply to which he arose and said:
at has pleased the Great Spirit that !
am here to-day. l have eaten with my
white friends. The earth is our mother;
we are now on it, with the Great Spirit
above us--it is good. 1 hope We are all
friends here. A few winters ago l was
fighting against you; | did wrong, perhaps,
but that is past; it is bured-let it be for
gotten. Rock River was a beautiful conn
try; | liked M towns and my corn fields,
and the homes of my peoples Tough, for it
it is now yours; keep it as we did; it will
produce you good crops. thank the Great
Spirit that ! am now friendly with my white
bt Tiers; we are here together, we havn eat
EN- together, we are friends. |, is His wi h
and mine; thank you for your friendship
was once great warrior, am now poor;
keokuk has been the cause of my present
situalion but do not attach blame to him
am now old have looked upon the Mis-
sissppi river, have been child; love
the great river; | have dwelt upon the
banks from the time was an infant, look
upon it now. shake hands with you, and
it is my wish, | hope you are my friends"
Judge Negus in annals Of loma.