The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-09-28

such conduct" When the first feeling
of surprise began to subside. the Sioux
collected around him in a manner
eyincing determination to seize his
person, when he spoke in a loud voice
and said, If this is your purpose, come
on; the Sacs are ready for YOU" With
a sudden effort he dashed aside those
that had gathered around him. plung-
ed his spurs into his gallant steed, and
rode off at full speed. Several guns
We're discharged at him, but without
effect A number of Sioux warriors
sprung to their horses, and pursued
him in vain. Keokuk, on horseback,
was in his element; he made the
woods resound with the warwhoop,
and brandishing his tomahawk in de-
fiance of his foes, soon left them far
behind him, and joined his party of
young warriors. His pursuers, fearful
OF some stratagenl, gave up the pur-
suit, after having followed him a short
distance, and retired to their camp
Keokuk took measures Immediately
to collect his warriors, and speedily
returned to protect his village and ma
ton.
His enemies, finding their plot dis
covered, abandoned their contemplated
attack, and retraced their steps to
their own country.
The eloquence of Keokuk, and his
sagacity in the management Of the af-
fairs Of his nation. were, like his mill
tary talents, Of the first order.
One or two cases in which these
have been exhibited, are worthy of
record. Some years since some o. his
warriors fell in with a party OF un,
armed Menomones at Prairie du CHEN
IN sight Of Fort Crawford, and muir
dered the whole company. Justly in
/ censed at this outrage. the Menomones
prepared for war against the Sacs
and prevailed on the Winnebagoes to
/ join them. For the purpose OF allay-
ing the rising storm, the United States
agent at Prairie du Chen, General
Street, invited the several parties to
council, at that place, for the pur-
pose Of adjusting the difficulty with
out a resort to arms. They, out of re-
spect to the agent, assembled at Fort
Crawford, but the Menomonees refus-
ed, sternly, to hold any council with
the Sacs on the subject. Keokuk told
/ the agent not to be discouraged, for he
would adjust the difficulty with them
J in spite of all their prejudices and posi-
] tive refusal to treat.
| He only asked the opportunity Of
meeting the Menomonees face
to face. The tribes were brought to-
gether, but the Menomonees perse-
! vered in their determination to hold
no council with the Sacs. The ne
i gotiation proceeded, and a friendly
/ feeling was re-established between the
Winnebagoes and the Sacs keokuk
B then rose, and with much deliberation,
began his address to the Menomonees
{ At first they averted their faces, or
listened with looks of defiance. He
had commenced his speech without
smoking, Or shaking hands, which was
a great breach of etiquette. and, above
all, he was the chief Of a tribe that
had Inflicted on them great injury.
for which blood alone could atone.
Under all these discouraging circum-
stances Keokuk proceeded in his forci-
Bile, persuasive, and impressive man,
ner. Such was the touching character.
OF his appeal such the power of his
eloquence, that the features of his en-
4 ed, they assented. and when he con.
cluded by remarking, proudly but in
conciliating tone, II came here to
say that | am sorry for the great i'm
I prudence of my young men; came to
make amends for their wrong; l came
!, here to make peace, and save the eff
fusion of blood-this I should much
!, deprecate. 1t will only ED sorrow to
sorrow. But If it must come / am
4 prepared; but ] am for peace Now
offer you my hand, the hand of Keo
kuk. for peace. Who of you will re
fuse it," they rose, one by one, ant
. accepted the proffered hand Of peace
Thus the fountain of blood was stop
ped by the eloquence and wisdom o
this chief.
In the late contest between the Tn
tied States and Black-Hawk's band
Keokuk, and majority Of the Sac
and Foxes, took no part Black-Hawl
made several attempts to induce then
TO unite against the whites, which the
were strongly inclined to do, not onl
for their love OF war and Of plumber
but on account of the injustice wit
which they had been treated by tn
whites. 1t required all Of Keokuk'
influence and moderation to proven
, the whole nation from enIisting unde
Black-Hawk's banner. He requisite
the Indian agent to send to his village
, on the west side of the Mississippi.
. white man who understood the Sa
language. and who might bear witnes
!. to his Keokuk's- sincerity and faitI
: fulness to the whites. Such perso
: was sent. The excitement raised b
4 Black-Hawk, and the war in which h
was engaged, continued to increas
!, among Keokuk's people, He stood O
u q Inn Itof 20 +,