The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-08-26

Although old Shabbona, the chief Of the Pot
towatomies, has been dead these many years,
few of his tribe still lurk around this settlement.
Every now and then the best of the Shabbonas,
the remnants OF q once powerful tribe, assemble
here, hold grand pow-wow, elect q new chief,
put fresh lard and mud on their faces, goose and
crow feathers in their hair, and 20 on the war
path.
A year ago they met here and elected as chief
tain "We.bo-man.ugh!" an Indian name which
signifies Thunder pumper," and made q raid on
the neighboring villages of Springfield. little
hamlet on the Sangamon river. capturing few
pismires and some scalps; thence they went to
st. Louis small trading post on the Missis.
sippi. Here they lost their scalps, and also
lost their wampum beads and bandans handker.
chieis. They then started on weary, tegious
journey homo on foot.
Our readers remember the terrible sufferings
Of that little band OF braves, as they came home,
published at the time in the FREE TRADER.
Suffice it to say that, after eating all their pro.
visions, dogs and mules-all but one-they got
home The last of the mules was that on which
the chief rode into Ottawa.
That experiment should have been enough,
one would think but only few days ago, .
portion of the survivors of the former band met
here, held the usual pow.wow and war dance,
put fresh paint on their cheeks and left for the
back settlements to burn, plumber and scalp
the innocent inhabitants of the distant vii.
lagos of Davenport Sheffield and Aurora.
Their cheftain in this expedition was young
brave named "Fire.eye Fur.Aiss," or "lightning
bug" At the two former villages they succeed
ed iu surprising the natives, and obtained
some scalps; but at the latter, Aurora, they
were out roared two to one. The citizens of
that neck of woods, knowing the desperate char.
acter of the foe, resolved to put an end to these
marauding expeditions 6y extermiuating the
marauders, and they did. The Shsbbonas were
put to flight after little skirmish of 24O min.
utes losing 90 scalps to only 13 on tho other
side
The Shabbouss came home in wild disorder,
and were met at the depot by the "Calithumpi.
an Band" about 50 eminent musicians provided
| with such delectable instruments as tin horns,
cowbells, horse fddles, tin Fans, small dry goods
boxes, dinner gongs, ETC., etc. A procession was
formed which marched to the Clifton Hotel,
where, after the band is supposed to have played
"Lo The Conlueriug Hero Comes" Geo. W. w.
Blake, in an eloquent speech, presented the chief
of the Shabs, "Fire.sye Fur.niss," with magni.
nificent aud highly polished sword made of that
| l.. Sk:. 0,I. -
sponded in that jerky sort Of eloquence peculiar
to Indian orators. HE was proud Of the Amer.
lean Eagle, and believed in the great Spirit.
Here he looked wistfully to the bar below.) His
father, old Shabbons, was dead, buried at Nor.
ris, but he feared when the old man hears of
their defeat he will turn over in his grave and
'cuss. The Aurora boys have beaten us and
they can do it again-they're Just that kind of
fellers. accept this beautiful emblem Of vic.
, tory, and will wear it-as soon as can hire q
drsy. Loud cheers.