The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-04-29
THE FATE OF THE MIssoURIs.
- AN Indian Legend. ;.

THE FATE OF The MlSSOURIS. =
| 20 Ia An Indian Legend. ri. sasa.
From the St. Charles (AIo,) Cosmos.
| An enmity existed between the Sioux
| and the Missoufis, the former occupying
what is now, Northeast Missouri and
Southeast Iowain the neighborfood ofthe
| Des Moines River, and the latter inhabit-
ing territory now covered By St. Charles
and adjoining counties north of the Mis-
souri, River. An unhappy difficulty had
occurred between the tribes, which re
volving years and succeeding generations
only made the-more serious. - scseg =
| 1t was in the month OF june 1880:
Village slu Cote nsfad been settled tel;
years., ald was finally established as a.
4 French posts and hardy adventures with
their families had commenced to gather
into it. Tbe whites, mixing freely with
the Indians and learning their language,
dwell in security among the aborigines.
who frequented more or less the different
posts which, had been .estabiished,, in
various parts of the West. At the time
named, the Missouris had formed an en-
campment at a point now within the cor
pOrate limits of ST. Charles near the up-
per extremity of the city. having with
them their warriors and braves. men.
women and children, and their worldly
goods and chattels. The place chosen for
the encampment is a beautiful plateau,
extending up and down the river. which
bounded i 10 the eastward, while in the
rear il was bounded by the range of hills
which now are the admiration and delight
of all'beholders. Thus pleasantly situaa
ted, with game and fish and water in
abundance and near at hand, they were
r.
with their, White neighbors and feariHgno
enemy.
Leaving them thus, let us remark that
at the time spoken OF the Sioux had left
left their home and were descending the
mississippi river in large force, seeking
whom they might devour," intent on rob-
berry and murder. Being unincumbered
with women, children and baggage, their
light canoes soon tlOated them to the Dor
ders of orr county. The Missouris, by
some means, the precise character of
which history has not preserved, became
taware of the near proximity of their he-l
treditary foes, and sachems, warriors and
braves were summoned to a council OF,
war; and commencing with the youngest
man present, they proceeded to elicit the
judgment of all, each. rising in his place
around the council fire and grayely and de-
'1lbeIately giving dis opinion, and the bur-
den of all that warm elOquence was, ''let
ms engage onrfoes and our fathers foes
their enemies and ours"
The distance from the encampment OF
the Missouris 70 the junction or point,
made by the TWO riverSs'yas, as itis, twenty
miles. 'Ihe Sioux were Intending TO de-
scend gthe idnction and. ie:iSing their
canoes in safety, depart hither and thither
I a IA hni nra lat
and scalp-hunting excursions. The Mis-
souris, knowing this usual custom of their
enemies, despatched air Their available
| force TO the point, where they knew the
Sioux generally landed, and, hiding in ann
bush, awaited their approach, Inc Sioux,
however, became aware Of The position OF
! the MiSsouris and instead of prosecuting
4 their journey to the place at first intend
ed. disembarked alta point t, several miles
! above, and ShOuldcring Their light canoes,
fcarried them across the neck of land be
tween the two rivers, at this place about
4 two miless,Milie andtlauRchingfo forth on
Missourf's iihddY stretms while their
enemy Of the sane nan.e were anx-
iiOusly expecting them below, pro-
tceeded up stream. with the inten-
l'tiOn of attacking the Missoursi' camp.
| From that camp the party. could be
tdisceTned alta distance OF three miles,
and those IN camp, surprising it was the
Missouri party returning successful. and
not dreaming of the sad fate that awaited
! them, prepared TO welcome back their
! fathers, brothers, husbands ands sons.
/ But, sad mistakei No sooner had the
fSiouX landed than they fell upon their de-
! fenseleSs enemies; nor did they cease till
every woman and child was either killed
! or driven of and every vestige of the camp
either taken or destroyed. Few and little
escaped the heartless vengeance of these
warriors; stimulated and lrenZied BIZ gen
/ uine Indian hatred the destruction was
complete. As soon as their savage work
was done. without mOmenG's delay they
! hastily re-embafkedf and, saS swiftly as
brIwny arms could urge them on, de-
scendcd to the Point" where the Mis-
! souriS, in ignorance of what had traRspiTed,
were anxiOusly, and, as hour after iiuur
I glidcd by, yet more and more anXiOusly
awaited them While thus momehtarly
expecting the approach OF their enemies
from the Mississippi they were suddenly
surprised by the war-Whoop at their backs.
But a moment sufficed for them to spring
to their feet and engage in the deadly con
iiict.1 The battle ragged furiously, and so
kfercely was ita contested that it was long
\ doubtful which party weuld be compelled
TO bite the dust: but. the arms of the
Sioux, nerved by uhrelenting hate. were
strong, and they prevailed. The victory
was complete-iew, very few, of the Mis-
sOuris escaped-so few that never after
wards Were they regarded as a nation.
The spot at witch the Sioux disem-
barked OH the Mississippi River, and from
which they commenced to carry their
canoes. across the neck, Of land to the Mis-
/ souri, River, as above narrated, is well
4 known, and is the. site OF the town OF
Portage des Sionx, -pointo of some I'M
portance in the early history of Missouri
1 territory, one OF the Oldest settlements in
this region, still retaining much of the
tquiet, simple, unique character always
found in the carly T tench Villages of the
| country.