The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-02-23
CHAPTER SEVEN.
Chief, Mahaska, Most Noted Chief
of the IoWas.

Chief, Mahaska, Most Noted Chief
Of the IoWas.
Our county bears the name of the
most noted chief Of the Iowa Indi-
ans, who at one time neld dominion
" a large part Of the state of
Iowa. He was the son of Manhaw-
gaw, under whose leadership the
tribe migrated westward from the re-
gion Of the Great Lakes. They
crossed the Mississippi river and
made their home on the banks of
the Iowa river near its mouth, and
gave their name to the stream. An
Indian legend cited by T. s. Parvin,
who is excellent authority, says:
This tribe separated from the Sacs
and Foxes and wandered off west
ward in search Of a new home.
Crossing the Mississippi, river they
turned southwark, reaching a high
bluff near the mouth Of the Iowa
river. Looking off over the beauti-
full valley spread out before them,
they halted, exclaiming, 'Ioway', or
This is the place." Their wander
ing in the years that followed reach
ed Is far west as the Dakotas.
They were in continual warfare
with the Sioux, Osages and other
western tribes. In a conference
with the Sioux Indians Man-haw-
CAV was treacherously slain. The
indignant Iowas resolved on an i'm
mediate revenge. They raised a
war party, of which the son, Mahas-
ka, was the legitimate chief. He
modestdy declined the honor, stating
that he wished to accompany the ex-
petition as a common soldier. He
therefore conferred the leadership
upon a distinguished and tried war
rior until ne should have opportun-
ity to prove himself worthy of as
Stunning command of his tribe. The
expedition into the Sioux country
was most s~uccesslG., as savages mea-
sure success, and young Mahaska
brought home a bunch of scalps
that left no doubt as to his ability
and bravery as a leader. We are
told that he was in, Is battles against
numerous bands of Indians and was
never defeated. On his return from
an expedition against the Osages on
the north bank of the Missouri river
he married four wives. 1t was a
custom in his tribe when husbands
or brothers fell in battle for the sur
viving warriors to adopt their wives
or sisters. The young chief found
IN his return that four sisters had
been deprived Of their protectors,
all Of whom he married. One of the
youngest Of these was Rant-che-wai-
me, or the Female Flying Pigeon,
who during all her life was his IA
vorite wife. a.. .
In another foray against the same
tribe, after his warriors had dealt
the enemy a sever blow, he receig-
ed a rifle ball in his leg. Bleeding
profusely, he was easily tracked by
his enemies, and sought a hiding
place where he might, rest and recu-
perate. yl, This he found under a
large log that lay across a water
course. Guided by the trail of
blood that flowed from his wound,
the Osages followed him to the
stream where they lost his trail, for
Mahaska had taken the precaution to
step into the water some distance be
low the log, they s%upposing that he
had crossed the stream at the place
where he entered. He remained un-
der the log with just so much of mis-
face out of the water as enabled him
to breathe. He had succeeded in
completely throwing his pursuers
off his trail. When the still
ness Of night haG settled Gown
upon all nature and nothing could DE
heard but the tinkling of the bells on
the Indian horses as they fed in the
valley, Manaska crept out of his hid
ing place, caught one of the best
horses, and mounting it made off to.
ward the north to join his tribe,
whose nome was then on the Des
Moines river.
Arriving at the Missouri river, he
tied one end of the halter around
the horses neck and the other he
took in his teeth. Then driving the
horse into the flowing stream, he
compelled the animal TO supplement
his own strength as a swimmer and
was safely carried across.
This was the Indian mode of meet
ing such difficulties. Through all
these vicissitudes ne chung to- his gun
and the three scalps which he had
taken in the battle.
When he arrived home he was joy
fully received by his people, and or
dered the war dance. Being unable,
on account, Of his wound, 10 lead the
dance himself, he conferred that
honor upon Big Axe, one of his trus.
ty braves. AS Mahaska placed the
scalps in his hands he madeiit the
occasion for an address which mark.
ed an epoch in his history. These
were his words: II have now re.
venged the death of my father; my
heart is at rest. / viii go to wal
no more. told Manshuchess,
rf-.z.~s,- nA.1..I N1o.rN 49, r-..-