Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-28
the LAKE OF MANY scALPs.

4 the LAKE OF many scAlPs.
la kexend Of the sloux Whoss ForsAsr
1ssns was ID CsAaagtsa Csussy. \
WATERFOWL Independent. \
About twenty miles northwest Of Water
{town ON the north road 70 the jim river, 10
town lis, range IS, 10 situated . small lake
one and one-hslf miles in length BY one In
width, which has connected with 1t q histo.
|ry, which I think 10 of efficient interest to
deserve publication. Hau Hl.
The Indian name of this sheet Of water 10
..EnSliish reads the Lake-ofMany.Scalps.
It's vicinity vas formerly = hunting resort
o fthe aborigines. and to %corroborate the
statement the prairie for miles around its
literally stfewn with the bones of the bufa.
10 and other animals which have been slain
BY these dusky hunters. asai o"F
The circumstances which b I have to re-
late happened about twenty years ago -
neal Is l can Ascertain.
4 was during the fall Of the year that .
small band Of Sioux Indians were encamp-
ed upon the eastern shore Of the lake. The
braves had been very successful in the
chase and their teepes were we'll filled with
venison aud buffalo meat.
Several weeks subsequent to this period
there had been a temporary peace establish-
ed between the Sioux and Chippewss, who,
it appears from time to time met In deadly
conflict over some dispute OF other misun-
derstanding, and to make this peace more
binding = daughter of the Chippewas was
given in marriage to the son Of o Sioux
Chief and the bridal twain, rs it happened,
were among the band above spoken of en-.
camped at Lake C~hoc-ha-otte.
Now, it seems, that there was among the
Chippewas an Indian youth who had set
his heart upon the fair girl who had been
thus sacrificed as q peace token to the
Sioux, and when the object of his affection
was in this manner placed beyond his
reach thereby wrecking his fond anticipa-
tions, he became cullen and downcast, and
vengence on the "dog of . Sioux''
who had robbed him of his choice. Soon
after he disappeared and none knew Of his
whereabouts.
Some time after his disappearance the
young Sioux brave was one day hunting
fowl on the western border of the lake
and becoming somewhat fatIgued and thirs-
~ he knelt down BY ito side to get . fresh
draught to allsy his thirst. While In this
position the dark form Of the young Chip
pewa emerged from behind an adjacent
Of bushes. and tomahawk in hand
e!ided stealthily up behind him and when
within convenient distance the tomahawk
was raised, an instant more and 1t decended
With terrible force into the skull of the de.
fenseless Sioux, he uttered one piercing
death vail and sank lifeless at his murder
er's feet. This was sufficient TO alarm the
Indians on the opposite side of the lake
who quickly reached the spot and after SET.
log the condition of their comrade mounted
their ponies and started IN hot pursuit after
the perpetrator of the deed. As he was not
mounted they were not long in o~vertaking
him and he was soon brought into the VII
age securely bound. He was cast into q
teepe and strongly guarded until a council
could be held to decide his fate.
Some were for burning him to the stake.
but this was argued too good for him and 1t
was finally decided that he should die by
starvation.
So the trunk of y stout sapling was set
firmly in the ground upon q high coteau
near BY and the prisoner led forth and bound
to this in q manner which dispelled all pos.
of escape. In this horrible condi-
tlon be was left by his merciless tormenters
until life was extinct; needing not bis pitt.
ful cries for food and water, and to make
bis agony, more unenduraole they brought
huge pieces of savory buffalo meat and de-
voured them before the eyes Of their slowly
dyi3g captive; then placing the bones
around his form they would fendishlv
lance about and amuse themselves b. prod.
limo hio nisvoeino 6ooh uIth Tho no;,e -
heir hunting knives, and to this dav can be-
seen the same circle of bones, now bsdlyl
1ecayed but still distinguishable.
When the Chippewas eventually learned
The fate Of their brother. ignorant Of the
caase,, they naturally inferred that the
Sioux had broken faith, consequently they
prepared themselves for war, intent on re-
venging the death of their young, and pro-
popular companion. 90
%Journeying southwark they arrived one
dark night at the village Of the Sioux, who
we're still encamped on the Lake of Many
They being Of the close proxim.
ity of . foe were quietly sleeping in their
teepes, and before they could awaken to 4
full realization of their danger and make
preparations of defense, the ~revengeful Chip
peWas were upon them.
The Chippewas greatly outnumoered the
Sioux and their fendish labor of slaughter
and bloodshed was soon dispatched.
1t only remains to be said that the mas
sacre was complete. Men, women and
children alike shared the same horrible fate.
Their scalps were torn from their heads and
their mangled bodies were left upon the
as food for wolves and other ami
mails.
No knowledge has been given whether or
not their lives were revenged~ or their DO.
dies decently buried by others of their
tribe, but suffice it to say, that, taking into
the naturally rsvenfeful spirit
of the. Aborigines. generally, they were.
From that dsy 10 tke nresent tima the