Richmond weekly palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1875-1905, 1875-12-09
How Adam Poe whipped IS Big Foot
cincinnati Saturday Nightl


cincinnati Saturday Night
big Foot" chief of the Wyandottes
who flourished (his scalping knife) OF
the banks of the Ohio during the pio-
neer days, was an Indian OF immense
stature and powerful frame, who re-
ceived his name on account OF the eX-
traordinary size of his foot, that organ
measuring more inches to the foot than
the most liberal table in long measure
can possibly allow. In addition to big
feet he was afflicted with corns, so that
his shoemaker was compelled to make
his mOccaSinS on a bag of hickory nuts
in order to secure q fit.
One day Big Foot, who was sort OF
bully about home, attended a log roll
ing at a neighboring settlement where
he met Adam Poe, an athletic young
paleface, who had recently come there
to settle, SO he thought he would just
settle him. He was an old settler him.
Self-Big Foot was. An opportunity
finally presented itself for picking a
quarrel with Poe. They were lifting
together on the same log, when Poe
although he had allowed twenty-five
inches to the foot, accidentally trod
upon Big Foot's corns. Big Foot began
to stamp and rave, and swore he could
whip Poe s'at the drop of the hat.
Those were his precise words.
Poe, who was a good natured fellow
and not at all quarrelsome, stood his
abuse for some time; but when he in
simulated that his clothes didn't fit him
and tainted him with having a cross
eyed sister-in fact. pohpohed at the
entire Poe family. his blood was up
and jerking off his coat, he yelled
Come on, red skin, and, durn my but
tons, if don't grind you up into injun-
meal to slop my COW with!
That's me, said Big Foot, taking of
his cravat and paper collar, and tying
his SuSpenderS around him.
A ring was quickly formed> and the
red-man and pale-face glared at each
other from their respective corners.
"A stand-up fight or rough-and-tum-
ble?" said Poe
Il don't care Adam Poet" yelled Big
Foot, and at it they went at a run-and-
catch
1t was about the biggest single hand
fight ever known. They kicked up such
a dust very little could be seen of the
combatants. At intervals, Big Foot's
big feet would be seen to flash through
the air as Adam dextrously stood him
on his head; and then Poe would be
seen to rise about ten (10) feet in the
air, poised on the toe of that Big Foot.
Fragments of moccasins, portions OF
buckSkin breaches, arrow heads, feath-
ers, Indian earrings, poe made that
Indians ear-ring) suspender buttons
scalp-locks, leggins, etc, filed the air.
Big Foot howled and Poe raved, every
body has heard ~Poe's Ravin.) For a
long time the issue seemed doubtful
but after time all was still. the dust
cleared away and disclosed Poe leaning
on his rifle, whose stock was broken,
painting badly, his best pants being ru-
ined in the fray. At his feet lay Big
Foot, dead.
Il stood ready to give him fair
fight, gOugein' in, said Poe as soon as
he could recover his breath, but the
pesky critter drew knife on me and ]
fixed him."
A coroner's jury set on the body-as
many as could be seated on it, when a
placard was put up, standing room
only'-who brought in a verdict of
Death from two big feet.
They buried Big Foot where he fell,
all except his feet, which would stick
out. Finally they raised mounds over
them, and this day two Indian mounds
mark the last resting place of Big
Foot.