The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1913-07-18
FACING TORTURES.
The Sublime Courage Shown by
an American Indian.
WILLING TO DIE FOR ANOTHER.
Story of Dramatic Episode In Which
tho Iowa and Musquakie Tribes
FIgured-Heroism That Won the
Admiration of the Enemy.

Flgured-Heroism That Won the
Admiration of the Enemy.
A striking story of the courage and
self sacrifice of which the American
Indian at his best is capable is given
by o. 81. Mills in the Des Moines Reg
lister and Leader. 1t was told to the
white men by the famous Sac chief,
Black Hawk, who himself saw the in
ctdent.
1t all began with an unfortunate
quarrel between an Iowa and a Mus
quake, in which the latter killed the
former and then in a moment Of fren-
zy scalped his victim. The two tribes
were at peace, and this act, allowable
only in time of war, was, In Indian
eyes, an intolerable breach of good
faith.
The Musquakies offered all sorts of
reparation, but the Iowas would ac-
fender, to be tortured and put to death
In propitiation of the outraged spirit
Of the dead man. To this the Musqua-
kies agreed on condition that the cul-
prit be given q month TO fort1fy him
self for his terrible ordeal But Just
as the month was about to expire he
fell i'll with o raging fever. In that
condition he could not be carried across
the prairie, but a failure to produce
him at the appointed place would
arouse the suspicious and perhaps the
hostility of the Iowas.
A council was called TO debate the
matter, before which appeared Como, q
brother OF the sick man. There are
no squaw men in our family he de
clared. Il will go'in his place"
The others tried to dissuade him and
described to him the tortures he would
have to undergo, but he insisted upon
making the sacrifice Accordingly an
escort was selected to accompany him,
at the head of which Black Hawk
then young but widely respected
chief, was placed.
81 never saw q more pathetic scene"
said Black Hawk, than the parting Of
Como and his father and mother and
4
overwhelmed with gloom"
In the middle of the afternoon the
party arrived at the Iowas' village.
Como had asked that his identity should
not be disclosed but one of the Iowas
who was present at the time the young
Indian was slain saw that the guilty
party was not being delivered, and
Black Hawk told the whole story. The
Iowas accepted it as true and, after a
brief council, consented TO the arrange
ment. The death circle was staked out
and patrolled with armed guards, and
Como was placed In its center, while
his escort was entertained in the tepee
of the chief. 1t was a chill November
day, and the sun was just sinking be-
hind the cliffs of the Des Moines river
when the escort left the camp.
They paused on a hill about a half
mile distant from the camp. They
could see that the fires had been lighted
round the death circle, and in the hush
of the evening came the pla1nt1ve
sound Of Como chanting his death song.
Having travelled some two hours,
they halted and made camp. About
midnight they heard the clatter Of
horses feet, and in a moment more a
single horseman rode up. 1t was Como!
This was his remarkable story:
The fires of the death circle We're
burning brightly, and the squaws with
their burning sticks were preparing to
make the first attempt to extort cry
of pain and agony, when an old man,
the father of the dead Indian, raised
his voice:
"Stopw he said. LET me speak. 1
am the one that has suffered. My son
was killed and scalped by a Musqua-
kie. l was hungry for revenge, and were
the one that killed and scalped him
here / would shout with Joy at his
torture. But this young man is brave.
Never have l seen such bravery before.
He is too good a man to torture and
kill. Release him and let him return
TO his own people"
Although the entire village a few
hours before had been eager for re-
venge, there was a murmur Of APPROX
al as the old man gathered his blanket
about him and took his seat. Without
any ones making a single objection,
/ Como was removed from the circle and
given food and drink. A few hours
later he was led from the camp, allow
cd TO mount his own pony and depart
In peace.