The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-02-23

was always the friend Of the Ameri-
cans and always rejoiced in the re-
fection that he neve had she'd
American blood.
In 1924 Mahaska accompanied a
select party of warrior chiefs to
Washington to have an interview
with Pesident Monroe. They went
by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
to Wheeling, Va, and thence by
stage to the national capital. A
talk" was had with the president.
Mahaska was presented with a meu-
al and a treaty was concluded be-
tween the United States and the
Iowa tribe. The treaty granted GER
tain concessions to the United
States for a satisfactory considera-
ton. Provisions were made for sup
plies of blankets, FARMING utensils
and cattle, and assistants in taking
up agricultural pursuits. The condi.
tons also stipulated that an annual
payment Of five hundred dollars
should be made to his tribe for ten
years.
Mahaska's favorite wife, Rant-che-
waime, had accompanied him to
Washington. One evening on COM
ing to their hotel after having in,
dulged freely in the use of flrewater,
through the day, the agent in charge
Of the company heard a racket in
the room and hastened to the door.
He found that thechief was settling
an imaginary difficulty with his
faithful wife. On hearing his APP
proach, Mahaska, not caring to meet
him just at that time, lifted the win
dow sash and stepped out, forgetting
that ne vas lodging in the second
story. The fall broke his arm, bue
so accustomed was he to such trifles
that he insisted on riding out two
miles the next day to see a cannon
| cast.
While in Washington he sat for a
portrait to Mr.. King, and we know
something of the form and features
of the noted chief. Mahaska was
six feet two inches in height, pos.
sessed uncommon strength ana
oSLAN ny oAu was a hd VI pcIICCL
| symmetry o. person and unusually
handsome. He returned to his home
from the east a man of peace.
What he had seen and heard made
a deep. impression on his mind. He
took the advice Of the Great Father,
the president, and built himself a
double log house, lived in greater
comfort, and began in earnest to
cultivate his land.
The Iowas and Sacs and Foxes
were deadly enemies. The last bat
tie between these tribes was fought
on the Des Moines river near the
town of Iowaville in 1924. The en-
tire force of the Iowa tribe had
gathered on the river bottom, about
two miles from their village to wit
less q horse race, with no though.
of any imminent danger. They had
gone out to enjoy the excitement of
the occasion and were entirely I'M
armed. The Sacs and Foxes had
been watching for just sucn an OPP
portunity to deal a crushing blow to
their enemies. Their spies reported
this gathering to their chief, Pasf-
e-pa-ho, who with his warriors were
secreted in the forest near by.
Pash-e-pa-ho led two divisions to
make the unexpected attack, while
Black Hawk, then a young man IN
known to fame, commanded a third
division, which was to burn the de-
defenseless village and murder its
remaining deniZens. Just at a time
when the excitement was the high
est and all attention was given to
the two competitors in the race, the
savage Sacs and Foxes swept down
upon the unsuspecting and terrorized
assembly with their piercing war
whoop. The Iowa warriors rush
ed back to their village to find it
in flames and their wives and chill
dren falling beneath the blows of
the tomahawk and war club or
young Black Hawks band. Their
confusion and dlsmay prevented
them from securing their arms, but
they fought in desperation with
clubs and stones, only to be massa-
cred until there wa left but a remnant
of a brave and powerful tribe. AS
further resistance was utterly hope
less, those who remained after the
awful slaughter surrendered. Their
power was gone. Their national
spirit mad received a blow from
which it never could ecover. They
fingered for a time about their old
haunts but were hopeless and de-
spondent. They were no longer an
independent people and wandered
about lover the domain which was
at n time their own land, and
which will forever perpetuate their
proud name.
When Mahaska was fifty years old
he was foully murdered while asleep
in his tepee on the Nodaway river.
The deed was committed by one OF
his W band, whom Mahaska had
caused to be arrested and placed in
prison at Fort Leavenworth for go
ing on the war path against the
49, 49, q