The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-03-30
61S66SS . 30 SSS
CHAPTER TWELVE,
Kish-Ke-Kosh, the Mahaska County
Chief and His People.

The only Indian village tnat WI
have any record of in Mahaska coun
ty was the village of Kish-ke-kosh
located out near the Skunk river il
what is now White Oak township
When Monroe county was first organ
lied it was called Kish-Ke-Kosh coun
ty. but the name was afterwards
changed BY an act Of the legislature
He is specifically described to US
as having a splendid physique. Tai
and straight as the arrow in It's
culver, a fine intellectual head, and
an eye that delighted in humor. He
was a magnificent type Of the Indian
brave that no more exists except IN
the best Indian literature.
Prior to the year 1887. Kish-Ke
Kosh was only one Of the principal
warrior chiefs in the village of Keo
kuk. The warrior chief was inferior
in rank to the village chieftain, the
latter ranking next to the chief OF
the tribe who held absolute sway ov
er all under him.
In 1887 General ]. NJ. Street, who
was the Indian agent at Agency City
conducted a deputation of Sac and
Fox Indians to Washington City
The party included Keokuk, Black
Hawk, Poweshiek, Kish-Ke-Kosh and
fifteen other chiefs of the Sac and
Fox tribes. ...
Kish-Ke-Kosh was always regarded
as the clown and wit at all the tribaI
councils, and in this journey to the
East he had opportunity to give full
play to his humor and sarcasm. The
delegation took a steamer on the
Mississippi most likely at Keokul
and descended to the Ohio, thence uI
that stream to Wheeling, Va, where
they took stage across the mountains
to Washington where the embassy
was received by the president.
On their way out a party of ladies
came on the steamer and were curl
Gus to learn all they could about the
party of Indians. A young man &C
companying the Indians, on becoming
acQuaited with the ladies, took par
ticular pains to show the Indiar
trinkets and costumes, and went Sc
far as to finger the garments an(
fringes of the chiefs and comment OF
oaem to the amusement of his guests
Kish- -Ke-Kosh took decided exception
to the liberty taken by this presum
tive youth and determined to teacl
him some manners. So when thu
ladies had retired he stepped up t.
him and began vigorously to minute
ly examine his clothing, feeling hi
hair, his watch chain and exhibiting
his teeth to the much-amused com
pany of observers, chattering all tn
while in his native tongue. Befor
he had finished his pretended inspec
ton he had taught the young man
lesson in considerate behavior not t.
be forgotten while his memory shoult
serve him.
A party Of Sioux chiefs were Il
washington when the Sac and Fo,
chiefs arrived and as the two nationI
were constantly waging war, the gov
ernment officials requested that I
council be held with Representative,
chiefs present from each y of tn
tribes. The council was held in th
chamber of the house of representa-
tives. Kish-Ke-Kosh took his plac
in one of the large windows, dresses
in buffalo hide which he had takel
in combat from Sioux chief. Tn
name and horns of the buffalo wer'
used as a head-dress and its tail wa!
allowed to trail on the floor. Tn,
Sioux were sorely grieved at his sug
gestive costume and Indignantly pro
tested, claiming that it was aimed a.
an insult to them. The presiding Of
lcer informed them that he saw n;
reason why Kish-Ke-Kosh should no
be allowed to appear in his owl
chosen costume. A Sioux chief open
ed the discussion, complaining bitter
ly Of how the Sacs and Foxes hat
oVerrun their lands, burning their vii
lagos, driving them from theil
homes and killing their warriors
Next came Keokuk, the greatest In
dian orator Of his day. Each address
was repeated by an interpreter. Web
ster, Clay, Calhoun and Benton hat
spoken in this same hall. Those who
heard Keokuk's impassioned elo
quence that day were readysto de
clare that the, old chief had surpass
ed them all.
Kish-Ke-Kosh was next called upor
to speak. He ridiculed the com
plants Of the Sioux. laughed at their
weakness and mimicked their tale oi
woe.
From Washington they proceeded
to make tour of several eastern
cities. At New York they received
but little attention. When Gen
Street attempted to show them the
city on foot the party were SO embar.
rassed by people crowding about
them that they were glad to escape
through a store into an alley and re