Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-02-19
THEBLACKHAWKWAR
RECoLLECTIoNs OF ONE WHO
WAS HERE AT THAT TINE.
Falling Out of Keokuk and Black
hawk, the Two Chiefs, Over the
Validity of Treaties.

writes B. Mendenhell in the Burlington
Hawkeye.
This was in the year 1929. Travelling
those days was not as quick as it is
now, and it was far in the autumn
months when we reached the little vii
lage of Mackinaw. some twenty miles
east of Pekin, on the Illinois river. AL
ready there were some rumors of trou-
BILE with the Indians.
Upon consultation, my father con-
cluded to go into winter quarters at
Nackinaw, and move on in the spring.
In the spring of 1880, we moved up to
within three miles of Pekin, leased a
farm, and awaited events as the rumors
of trouble with Black Hawk, and his
braves, were still the topic Of the day.
Father did not want to push on I'M
I'll the difficulty with the Indians were
settled. During the years 1S30-d faith
or and my elder brothers worked the
farm he leased from Uncle Billy Lind
ly," as he was Familiarity called and
awaited resuslt, hoping that when the
trouble was settled, that he would be
able to pull up stakes and push on to
Warren county, the place of destination
he first intended
Chiefs Disagreed.
But Black Hawk and Keokuk, who
were the chiefs and leaders of the Sac
and Foxes, had fallen out, the former
being for war, and the latter for peace,
there was no prospect for evading war
or a peaceable settlement. Black Hawk,
always declared that he never signed
the treaty ceding certain lands to the
whites. Keokuk had signed the treaty
and was anathametised by Black Hawk
and called "squaw Indian" for his
leaning to the whites.
/ will here state that the title OF
"chief," as applied to Black Hawk, was
never claimed by him. True his tribe
acknowledged his as great warrior
and a leader in the tribe and the
braves chung to him as the one to lead
them to victory. The articles published
in the Hawk-Eye year or so ago, and
the one by Garrett, especially, is true.
Tomohawk Dug Up.
But to return to the spring of 1882,
Black Hawk and his braves doned the
war paint, dug up the "Tomahawk,"
and with gun and scalping knife cross
ed the Mississippi river not far from
Rock Island, into Illinois and proceed
ed to massacre the whites.
The alarm was given and the news OF
the invasion by the Indians of the
states was carried as fast as scouts
and horse flesh" could carry it, and the
| governor called for volunteers. Captain
| Adams Immediately opened recruit
| ing Office in Pekin. My elder brother,
| Zadok, was in town when the captain
opened the office, and being filled with
| patriotism, on hearing the earnest APP
| peals for volunteers, agreed with Cap
| tain Adams to go. but did not sign any
| enlistment papers until he would have
| a talk with his father and mother. He
| had not yet obtained his majority, but
was subject to do military duty.
Quaker Volunteers.
My parents were members of the
"Friends or Quakers." Ohe latter being
the common name by which they are
known, and one of their principle ten
ents was never to bear arms, never to
fight, and shed human blood it was I'M
holy and contrary to the scriptures OF
divine truth Especially was this the
case with my mother When Brother
Zadok told her he had promised Cap
tain Adams that he would volunteer,
she burst into tears, and begged him
go to war.
Zadok promised her that he would
not go. being overcome with mother s
pleadngs, and he would see captain
and beg off
But when he went back the next day,
and hearing martial music. and the
waving of flags, his patriotism over
come his promises to mother. signed
the enlistment papers, and the company
being full, they started Immediately for
the seat of war
March to Rock River.
When word come back to us that Ia
dok was gone, mother stood in the door
and cried | can see her tears now.
when | call to mind the incident She
wrung her hands and prayed for the
| safe return of Zadok. The march of
| the company TO Dixon, on Rock river
| the adjoining of the regular forces and
| the reckless move of Major Stillman in
detaching his command from the main
| body of the forces. his flight with
| Black Hawk and his braves, his de-
| feat and retreat back after loosing
twelve Of his men, among which was
| Brother Zadok and Captain Adams
| have been written here.
II had been told Brother Iadok that
| the war would be over in thirty days.
| and the services of the volunteers
| would not be needed longer than a
month at the farthest. This was the in
/ centive that induced him TO go.
On hearing this. mother took heart.
| and cheered herself as best she could.
| But as long weary days passed, she
began to give way TO grief again, and
| would look almost continually towards
| Pekin. to see If ZadLk was not coming.
| AS the days passed she become fearful
| and would not be comforted One day as
| she was standing in the door, as usual
she frightened up and pointing her fin
ger toward Pekin, she cried out and
said. There comes Zadok' and called
the family around her 10 see. But it
must have been a hallucination, as the
members Of the family could not see
any person.
In few days afterwards the sad in
telligence Of Brother Zadok's death was
received. Then mother gave way to q
food of grief. and would not be COM
forted for many weary days.
Peace Restored
~, pIack Hawk and his warriors