Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-05-29
Lieut.. w. P Elliott of the United
States cruiser New Orleans died recently
at Cavite Of apopexy. resulting from
is READY TO FIGHT.
Thomas Roddy of Chicago Accepts
the Challenge Of Tom
Thunder.

Chicago, ILL.,, May 25.--With his favor
lite tomahawk and war club packed away
in his dress suit case, ''White Buffalo,"
the Irish chief of the Winnebago Indians,
left his wigwam at 6120 Drexel avenue,
bound for Black River Falls, Wis,
where he will fight duel to the death
with Tom Thunder, his Winnebago rival,
and thus settle the title to supremacy Ov-
er the red tribe of the dead chief, BLACK
Hawk" The combat will be waged by
the lone grave of BLACK Hawk" on the
banks Of the Northern RIVER, and the vic
tor, who must win or lose by the toma-
hawk alone, will be proclaimed the leader
of his race.
white Buffalo," otherwise Thomas p.
Roddy, received from his rival chal-
lenge to fight in the place and manner
described. Tom Thunder has been rag
ing mad ever since Roddy was elected the
successor Of Black Hawk and White
Butfalo's" Celtic blood has at last been
stirred to equal frenzy. He said last
night that he had no fear of the out
come. He is a master of the favorlte
weapon of the Winnebagos and says he
can handle or hur it with the effect of
razor and the speed Of bullet.
Roddy was born in Peoria forty-6ve
years ago and went with his father, q
trader, among the Winnebagoes in 1857.
lie was grown up with the Indians and
speaks their language t1uenty. He was
elected chief OF the tribe in 1898, during
the lifetime of BLACK Hawk" but never
used the office He has had an Indian
store for many years and was secretary
TO Black Hawk" and attended to all the
business Of the old chief, who died last
year, being ninety years old.
Thunder is the son of DR.. John Thun-
der and is full-blood Winnebago, 30
years old, and is we'll equipped, speaking
and writing English fuently. DR..
Thunder was one of the councillors, Mr..
one IF the committee of three to notify
him Of his election as chief.
When elected Chief Roddy was given
the name of white Buffalo," by which
he is known to the tribe. There are
about 1900 Indians in the tribe. The of
flee of chief has no salary, but is made
remunerative by gifts from the Indians.
The challenge sent to Roddy is as fol-
lows:
Thomas Il. Roddy. Chicago.-Sir: 1 learn
through the papers that you are still talking
about being inaugurated chief of our tribe,
and let me inform you that protest against
such talk, and furthermore, | give you fair
warning that you will have to settle with
me personally should you attempt by any
methods common to the slippery white men
to be made chief. Our young men are
against you, and such ii proceeding would
be n strange departure from the customs Of
the tribe of which l claim to be the legiti
mate and only-recognized chief. l under
stand that you say you will settle by the
method adopted by my fOrefathers, IAN ap
hand l will meet you at the grave Of our
venerable chief. Black Hawk. and alone you
and I will settle the question of the chief
tianshlp. Name the date: am ready; Yours
truly, TOM THUNDER,
Chief Of the Winnebagoes.
Black River Falls, Wis, May -, 1900.