The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1875-07-01

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every year, on the occasion Of theil
annual visits to the agency to receive
annuities. On these occasions he
would join them in their sports and
J hunting excursions, and was looked
upon By the tribe rs one of theil
most expert hunters and trappers
After the hunting season was over
Jim would return with few Of the
"select" to dispose Of their furs and
dried venison hams, which Mr.. Rolett
always purchased At fair prices.
Their supplies laid in, those who had
accompanied Jim would return to
their tribe, while he again took up
the thread of civilized life, where i.
had been dropped at the commence.
ment of the hunting season. He was
great favorite with Rolett, and as
he spoke French and his native Ian
guage fuently. his services we're in
valuable to him. He was not only OF
service to his adopted father, but Col.
Lack Taylor, who was then in COM
mand at Prairie du Chen. was in
debted to him for the peaceful man
ner in which he got along with the
Indians. Jim possessed one trait,
not peculiar TO the Indians, sobriety
although moderate drinker, he
was never known to be drunk. When
about twenty years Of age, Jim, in
company with I.ieutenants Harris,
Stockton and Pegram, went OH fall
hunt, custom kept up regularly
every season, by the occupants of the
Fort. While on this expedition Jim
came near losing his life. Lieut..
Harris had shot bear, and supposing
it fatally wounded, approached for
the purpose of cutting its throat, and
while in the act the beast sprang up
and grappled him in its powerful en-
brace. Jim seeing the peril Of his
friend rushed to his rescue, when the
animal released Harris, and attacked
him with great ferocity. The strug-
gle that resulted was desperate and
bloody, but bruin was finally dis
patched-not, however, until the
Lieutenant and Jim were severely
wounded. In fact, Jim was SO much
injured that months elapsed before
he was able to do anything and he
never perfectly recovered. Lieuten-
ant Harris kept careful watch over
him during his illness and paid all ex-
penses. The invalid had another ten
der nurse, in the person Of a dark
eyed daughter of the forest, named
Mary Ann Forsyth half breed,
and supposed to be the daughter of
an Indian trader, whose name she
bore. Mary Ann was considered the
handsomest squaw among the large
number that hung around the post,
and Jim became desperately enamored
of her, and from her kindly attentions
to him, concluded that his passion
was kindly reciprocated. but in this
he was mistaken. 1t appears her at
tentions were solely prompted by a
sense of duty, and an unselfsh desire
to render assistance to one of her
race in time of affiiction. Upon his
recovery Jim was not long in discover
ing how the matter stood, and bidding
Mary Ann an afectionate good bye,
he returned to his tribe, and was new
er known afterwards to enter Prairie
du Chien. In the course Of time, as
the country becam- set led by the
whites, Jim would visit the settle
ments and pass much Of his time with
the whites. Bellevue and Brophy's
Ferry, on the Wapsie, were his
favorite stopping places, when not
engaged in his usual occupation Of
hunting and trapping.
In the fall of 1888, Peter Hill Eng
ell, who was afterward Judge Of one
of the st. Louis courts, was candi.
date for delegate to Congress-.he
first to run to represent the territory
of Iowa. While canvassing the Ter
ritory-the whole Territory had to
vote--no person doubted his election.
He was man OF fine ability, prepos-
sessing appearance and an eloquent
speaker. The election was to take
place on Monday. Ga Saturday
morning preceding the election, the
fudge attempted to cross the Wapsie,
a, Brophy's Ferry, by fording, but his
horse WAS carried down by the cur
rent, and he being no swimmer, be-
came alarmed and reined up suddenly
causing the animal to founder and
throw him Indian Jim was on the
bank in company with Mr.. Brophy,
and plunged into the water and soon
reached the struggling Judge. Brophy
called to Jim to assist the drowning
Judge, but he paid no attention until
the Judge had sank twice; he then
caught him and swan ashore. On
reaching the shore, Engell manifested
no signs of life, but by .Jim's instruc-
tions he was rolled over and over and
held by the feet with his head down,
and rubbed and chafed until con-
sciousness was restored, when he was
taken to Mr.. Brophy's house, where
he laid in critical condition for a
week. This accident came very near
terminating Judge Engell's life, and
was the cause of his defeat for Con-
gress. Two Of the Judges comrads,
who were accompanying him, made
the crossing safely, and reported at
Davenport and Muscatine that the
Judge was drowned. This they hon.
estly believed, as they were present
when Jim rescued him. and heard
Brophy announce that he was dead.
This sad mistake caused the coun-
ties OF Scott and Muscatine to change
their votes from Engell to Chapman,
electing the latter by a majority OF
thirty seven.
Judge Engell never forgot Indian
Jim's heroic conduct in securing him
from watery grave, and made ar.
rangements with Mr.. Brophy, or Jas
Brown, do not recollect positively
which, to pay him an annuity, which
was faithfully performed, as long al
Jim could be found. A few years sf'
ter these occurrences, Jim disappear.
ed, and whether he died suddenly 0.
wandered back to the lodges of his
tribe, ! am unable to say.
/ To be continued