Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-20
AND cations

dren of Oskaloosa. a poem by Maj. Sam
uel H. NJ. Byers of Des Mones and adj
dresses by Representative John Fletcher
Lacey, Mayor L. NJ. Bacon of Oskaloosa.
Carl Kuehnle of Denison and Wilson
Brooks of Chicago, representing the Order
of Red Men. There was a public dinner
and reunion of old settlers, which was at
tended by Mrs. Semira A. Phillips and
Mrs. Amanda l.. Martin. who came to
Iowa in 1S4; and We're personally ac,
quainted with both White Cloud and
William Edmundson, his friend. The
statue represents the chieftan in native
costume, wearing war bonnet and hold
ing the wing of an eagle in his right
hand He stands erect in an attitude of
attention, as if listening to a far-of
sound.
White Cloud Friend of the Whites.
Mahaska, or White Cloud. he was
usually known. was chief of the Iowa ma
ton. He was the son of Mauhawgaw.
chief of the Pawoochee, or pierced
nose clan, and removed from Michill1-
macinac into what is now the state of
Iowa and occupied a territory which had
always belonged to the Sioux. The latter,
being unable to drive him out of their
country, murdered him in a most treach-
erouS manner at feast which had been
appointed to celebrate treaty of peace.
Mahaska inherited the chieftainship of
-.
clned the responsibility. and a regency
was appointed until he had distinguished
himself in battle and in council
He went into battle as a common brave
and in the first campaign. when he was
no more than eighteen years old, got the
scalp of the Sioux chief, in whose lodge
his father had been treacherOuSly slain.
\ few years later he assumed the author
ity of war chief, and. with the CHASTITY
ceremonies common to his race in those
n 1nIfo tod n n ftJr
geance upon those who had been RESPONSE
Bile for the death of his father. He led
the Iowa warriors in eighteen battles
against various bands OF Sioux without
once suffering defeat, and when he reach
ed middle life. having satisfied his VEN
geance. resigned the Craftsmanship to a
prominent warrior of his tribe. and form
ally announced that he had accepted
the advice of Red Head Gen. Clark
and had buried the tomahawk forever.
He visited Washington In 1924, and there
negotiated the treaty which coded the ter
ritory now included in the state of Iowa
to the United States He declared at
that time that he had never shed the
blood of a white man nor had he ever per-
mitted one OF his tribe to do SO, or to
commit any violence against the white
race. This statement is believed to have
been true. although the early pioneers
attributed several hostile acts to Maha ska
and his braves.
In lS;, White Clouds son was killed by
the OmahaS ard the Iowa warriors de-
manded that the father should lead them
upon campaign OF vengeance, but. not
withstanding the provocation, he refused
10 do SO. and said in reply:
II have buried the tomahawk forever
am man of peace. The treaty which
have made with the Great Father pro-
vides for the punishment of such crimes
and l will appeal to him.
Murder of White Cloud.
Notwithstanding his attitude the Iowas
raided the Omaha villages. burned and
massacred until they were sa;iated and
the government ordered the arrest and
punishment of the principal chiefs. Al
though White Clouds refusal to join i'm the
attack. was notorious, he was Included
among the prisoners and taken 20 Fort
Leavenworth. While in prison there one
of his subordinate chiefs accused him
of treachery and lack of paternal loyal
ty. because of his refusal to participate
in the campaign. and threatened to kill
him if he ever had a chance. After an
inquiry the prisoners were released.
While Mahaska was in camp on the
Nodaway river, in the southwestern part
of Iowa, on his journey home, he was
overtaken and assassinated by his ac-
cuser and other members of his own
tribe, WAC believed that he had betrayed
them. This occurred I'm 1884. when Ma
haska was about fifty years old.
Mahaska's name was bestowed upon
one of the counties of Iowa organized
by William Edmundson about ten years
after his death. Mr.. ]. d. Edmundson.