Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-12-28
(By Merze Marvin.)

The recent, extension of the Wau-
bonsie trail across Illinois and Indiana
and its conversion into a great ma
tional highway, has added new inter-
est to the life. of the noted Indian
chief whose spame it bears. The
earliest settlers In Page and Fremont
counties came in contact with the
aged chief, who hunted and trapped
along the East and West Nishnabotna
rivers and along the shores of the lake
in, Fremont county that still bears his
name. There is no doubt but that
many a time he pitched his wigwam
upon the site now covered with the
busy little city of Shenandoah. Stories
of his life, more or less legendary,
have been handed down from the early
settlers and thus it came to pass that
when Shenandoah sought name for
its largest bark, the name Waubonsie
was suggested and acted upon unan-
imously: and later when the move
ment originated here for an automo-
bile trail across the state and meet
ing was held and the route !ald OUT
from Sidney to Clarinda, via Shenan-
doah, there was only one name
thought of to designate lt-Wauoon-
sic.
Then began the efforts to unravel
legendary stories of his life and CHAR
acter, and after considerable search
and investigation, the writer is aple
to give the following authentic Dlogra-
ply: &s. .".agtls .-5..
Many years ago when the redskins
were making their last stand before
the coming of the pale faces drove
them from their hunting grounds,
sturdy son was born in the lodge or
the chief of the Pottawattanies OF the
Prairie who dwelt on the banks OF the
Kankakee river in Illinois. The little
papoose grew to be a ,lusty, rolllcklngs
how. bold and daring above all the
COURAGEOUS young braves of his tr1be.
He was called Waubonsie and he was
destined to become a great leader
among the redskins of the prairie.
Waubonsie began his war career very
early in life and by the time he was
called upon to succeed his venerable
father he had acquired widespread
reputation for his exploits and deeds
If daring. To this day the descend
ants of his tribe recount with PRIDE
the stories Of the wonderful proWess
~ Chief Waubonsie. Several of these
stories. told by his tribesmen, are
given in the History Of the Indian
Tribes OF North America, by Mckenny
and Hall. '. 1% ..-
On one occasion the young rWaubon-
sic and his band of braves wandered
FAR ia the west while on a hunting ex-
nedition and were surprised by a. party
If Usage warriors. Two or three or
the Potta wattamies were slain, one
If them being the particular friend
NJ Waubonsie. In. accordance with
savage custom, Waubonsie claimed the
ripht Of revenge. The lands of the
Osages Law far to the west OF the Pot-
awattamies and braves from the Two
tribes seldom met. But time or dis
lance cannot dull the Indians passion
for revenge. Waubonsie waited long
for his opportunity Finally he learn
cd that a small party of Osages was
erpected at certain fort and trading
most Thither he bent his steps. He
met his enemies as strangers. with
cool Indifference, but beneath that
apathy+ lurked smothered fire.
When the Osages heard his name they
guessed his purpose and sought means
to anticipate or avert the blow. Iney
slept within the fort. surrounded by
sentries. while Waubonsie pitched his
camp without Along in the night time
he scaled the wall, successfully eluded
the sentries. crept 'stealthily to the
spot where the sleeping Osages lay,
dispatched his victim and made good
his escape before the alarm was given.
A trusty comrade awaited with horse
outside the walls and by morning
Waubonsie and his little band had rid
den many miles from the scene of the
assault.
Waubonsie's talents were not limit
ed to the war path a2d the hunting
His intelligence and sa-
gacity about the council fires and in
dealing with the agents of the govern
ment were we'll known. He was a pol
ished orator and maintained the inter
ests of his people with untiring zeal.
In the war Of 1912 Wauhonsie and his
tribe were among the allies of Great