The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-12-03
Indian Chief Waubonsiie
Authentic Story Of Life Of Noted Indians After Whom the
Trail Was Named, Published for First Time in this
Section.

The recent extension Of the Wau.
bonsie trail across Illinois and Indi-
ana to meet the old National Pike
built. by the government in the early
fifties has added new interest to the
life OF the noted Indian chief whose
name 1t bears. U. G.. Reininger,
president of the Waubonsie Trail as
ISOLATION, was in Keokuk Wednesday.
in attendance at the luncheon given by
the Industrial association, and while
here told a reporter many interesting
stories about the Indian chief, Wau-
bonsie.
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 coun-
ty that still bears his name.
There is no doubt but that many
time he pitched his wigwam upon
the site now covered with the busy
little city of Shenandoah Stories
have been handed down from the early
settlers and thus it came to pass that
when Shenandoah sought name for
its largest park the name Waubonsie
was suggested and acted upon unani-
mously; and later when the move
ment originated there for an automo-
bile trail across the state and a meet
ing was held and the route laid out
from Sidney to Clarinda, via Shenan-
doah, there was only one name
thought of to designate 1t, Waubonsie.
Then began the efforts to unravel
the history Of the old chief from the
legendary stories of his life and char
acter and after considerable search
and investigation Merze Marvin &C.
cured what was believed to be an
authentic biography The story of
Merze Marvin was given to The Gate
City reporter by President Reninger
and is herewith published for the first
time in this section.
Born on Banks of kankakee.
Many years ago when the redskins
were making their last stand before
the coming of the pale faces drove
them from their hunting grounds, a
sturdy son was born in the lodge of
the chief of the Pottawattamies of the
Prairie who dwelt on the banks of the
Kankakee river in Illinois. The little
papoose grew to be lusty, rollicking
boy, bold and daring above all the
courageous young braves Of his tribe.
He was called Waubonsie and he was
destined to become a great leader
among the redskins OF the prairie.
Waubonsle began his war career very
early in life, and by the time he was
called upon to succeed his venerable
father heshad acquired a wide spread
reputation for his exploits and deeds
Of daring. To this day the descend
ants of his tribe recount with pride
the stories of the wonderful prowess
of Chief Waubonsie. Several Of these
stories, told by his tribesmen, are
given in the History of the Indian
Tribes OF North America, by McKen-
ny & Hall.
On one occasion the young Wau-
bonsie and his band of braves wander
ed far to the west while on a hunting
expedition and were surprised by a
party of Usage warriors. Two Oh
three OF the Pottawattamies were
slain, one of them being the particular
friend CT Waubonsie In accordance
with savage custom, Waubonsie claim
ed the right of revenge. The lands
of the Osases lay far to the west OF
the Pottawattanies and braves from
the two tribes seldom met. But time
or distance cannot dull the Indians
passion for revenge. Waubonsie wait
he learned that small party OF
0sagec We're expected at certain
fort and trading post Thither he bent
his steps. He met his enemies as
strangers, with cool Indifference, but
beneath that apathy lurked a smoth
cred fire. When the Osages heard his
name they guessed his purpose and
sought means to anticipate or avert
the blow. They slept within the fort
surrounded by sentries, while Wau
bonsie 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 be
fore the alarm was given. A trusty
comrade awaited with a horse out
sido the walls and by morning Wau
bonsie and his little band had ridden
many miles from the scene Of the as
sault
An Intelligent RedskIn.
Waubonsie's talents were not limit