Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-13
A NOBLEMAN OF SAVACERY
Character Sketch Of the Noted Indian
Warrior, Black Hawk,
THE CHIEF WHOM LINCOLN FOUGHT
How He and His Tribe suffered ut the
Hands OF the whites In the Rock
River Country-Blncs Hawks
Intelligence nnd Justice.
THE CHIEF WHOM LINCOLN FOUGHT

Some time during the early part Of the
last century, probably, a wandering tribe
of Indians of whom history is silent left
the bleak shores of the Upper st. Lawrence
for more congenial climate.
The sources from which the first part OF
this sketch is taken, writes a contributor
in the American Field. are chiefly legon-
dairy; but, such as they are 1t is given as it
was taken from the lips Of one who is charac-
tcrized by the editor OF small volume
called "The Autobiography of Black Hawk
as a warrior, a patriot and subsequently a
prisoner, Ma-ka-tai-me-sh she -kia-kak, or
Black Hawk. Toward the latter part of his
life this hero OF many battles. when, old
poor and obscure, became desirous of Civ
ing his story to his white friends that the
people OF the United States might know
the cause which impelled him to act as he
had done, and the principles by which he
was governed" this was faithfully trans
lated by Antoine lie Claire a half-breed of
French and Indian parentage. whose de
scendants are now living in Davenport, la.
1t must be remembered that, although
Black Hawks story is intermingled with
legends, 1t is probably true as regards the
emigration OF the tribes-the Sacs, as they
were called-from place to place to their
final destination. the Rock River country,
in Illinois. The tradition of the causes
which led to this great event in
their history, was handed down
to Black Hawk, as coming from his great
andfather-Nana-m -kee-who, by black
ening his face, fasting and invocation to
the Great Spirit, appeared to the chief in
dreams. telling him to fast one year more.
and then to take his brother chieftains and
travel to the left of the sun rising till they
could hear certain sounds, when they would
meet white man who would be a father to
this people. The sounds were heard and the
white man appeared. He announced himself
to be the son of the king of France and said
that he also had tasted four years; that the
Great Spirit had visited him in dreams tell
ing him he would meet his children, the
Indian and their chief.
They returned to their nation. The old
chief, when he learned of their meeting the
white man, presented the great medicine bag
to his son. Nara-ma-kee, saying II was the
soul of their nation. that 1t never had been
disgraced and he hoped it never would be
Mana -ma-kee was young man and there
were some dissensions among the people on
account OF so much power being given to
one so young, but when the talk" was at
its height a violent thunder storm appeared
and the lightning struck a tree setting fire
to it. Young Nana-ma-kee seized a burn
ing branch. made fire in the lodge. seated
the people around 1t, who were awel by what
seemed to be miracle, and addressed them
saying:
81 am young, but the Great Spirit has
called me to take the rank / hold. While
my father, the chief. lived | had no wish to
take his place You have all seen the power
given me by the Great Spirit in causing that
fire. wish that the chiefs my brothers
may never let that fire 90 out"
All were satisfied when they heard and
saw that the Great Spirit had spoken and
confirmed his words by the burning tree.
In the legend of the burning tree one is
reminded OF the burning bush out of which
God spake to Moses regarding the children OF
Israel. In all accounts of the religion of the
Indians i know OF no record where they
are represented as worshipping the Great
Spirit in any material form of wood or stone
The Great Spirit was immortal and in
visible.
After long absence the French father
returned and trade was kept up for some
time with the tribe, exchanging various com
modities for their furs and other articles
me British, who were then at war with
me French. at last overpowered them and
gained possession of Quebec Some of the
different tribes joined in the war and after
ward united their forces against the Sacs
ana drove them to Montreal and thence
to Mackinac. They met the British Father
as Black Hawk calls him, who helped them
ana furnished them with goods. They were
troubled there with their enemies, who
drove them from place to place. till they
reached Green Bay, or what is now called
Sauk river There they held council with
the tribe or nation of Foxes, who abandoned
their villages and joined the Sauks party
OF young men had been on an expedition
southward, as far as Rock river, and the
young braves returned to Green Bay full of
the great news of the beautiful region they
had Just left; and soon after the tribes were
enroute for the promised land. They were
Joined by the Foxes, and from that time
the history of the two tribes seems to be
closely entwined.
For more than 100 years they held upds-
puted possession of the Mississippi valley
from the Ousconsin to the Portage dss
Sioux, near the mouth OF the Missouri about
zoo miles in length. At that time they had
little intercourse with the whites eXcent
with the traders who came to their villages
Tor their peltries. At that time intoxicating
liquors were unknown among them although
afterward introduced by the traders. Black
Hawk was bitterly opposed to this, and
sometimes, as said by an eyewitness drove
in the kegs of whisky or rum which were
furnished them by traders"
They held their lands by their prowess as
warriors. In 1904 an event occurred which
gave rise to all their troubles with the
whites.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
One of their number had killed an Amerl-
can, for which he was imprisoned. Four
or five Indians went down to ST. Louis
where he was confined, to secure his re-
lease and his return to his family by offer
Ing compensation for the life of the muir
dered man, according to the Indian custom
General William Clarke, the companion of
Lewis, at that time was the general superin-
tendent of western Indians and their
affairs. The government, through Clarke,
refused the compensation, but demanded
lands. Black Hawk and the other Indians,
who were informed of the circumstances
were bittely opposed to parting with their
lands, as these men had no authority for
this, but went simply to rescue the pris-
oner
1t Is said the men were made drunk, and
while in that condition the sale OF the lands
was consummated; the prisoner was set at
liberty, but as he was running from the Jail
he was shot dead by one of the men on
guard.
All their lands on the east side OF the
Mississippi river were sold Black Hawk
says. for $1,000 a year; other accounts say
81 900. think Judge Spencer, In his "Remi-
niscences," says the latter. He was one OF
the old settlers of Rock Island He speaks
81 leave II to the people OF the United
States TO say whether our nation was prop
ery represented in that treaty or whether
we receive just compensation for the ex-
tent OF country Ceded by these four indi-
viduals."
OF Black Hawk as an honorable and just
oh IIauy