The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-10-22

iNftSs itSNhS6A
OF pes Molnes, State
lures graceful and appropriate. His
| flow of language was rapid, but his
enunciation was always clear, distinct
and forcible. His SMILES were drawn
| from natures great store house, while
his arguments were logical and drawn
with consummate SKILL
Keokuk was extremely fond of show
and display, and always rode a fine
horse, in the management Of which he
was great expert.
In 1897 he visited, with a number
| of his head men, Washington and
many of the cities Of the east, and by
his commanding presence, dignifled
demeanor, and powers of oratory, he
attracted much favorable attention.
Some records of his oratory have
4been preserved
When Black Hawk sent emissaries
importuning Keokuk and his braves
Etc join with him in the war against
/ the whites, Keokuk is said to have
thus addressed his followers:
Braves, I am your chief 1t is my
duty to rule you as a father at home
and to lead you to war if you are
4 determined to go,sbut in this war there
lis no middle course. The United
4 States is great power, and, unless
1--WE conquer that nation, we mus
lparish. will lead you instantl!
ffagainAt the whites on one condition
that Is that we shall first put all oul
women and children to death, ant
then resolve that, having crossed the
Mississippi. we will never return, but
4 perish among the graves of our fath
crs rather than yield to the white
1 man"
That he had some wit and :humor
land could not be led astray by spec
iious promises, is shown by his repl.
to Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet
iwho invited KeolSuk, addressing him
las the king of the Sacs and Foxes, te
attend council to be held at the
Mormon temple at Nauvoo. Keokut
accepted the invitation, going with ar
lescort of armed and mounted men
Smith, in addressing the Indians
claimed it had been revealed to hin
i that they were the lost tribes, ant
that they must come into his fold
Keokuk replied,
Reply to Mormons.
If my brother is ordered by the
Great Spirit to collect our lost tribes
together, and lead them into a land
flowing with milk and honey, 1t is his
duty to do SO, but wish to ask
about some particulars that my broth
er has omitted. They are of great
Importance to my people. The rec
men are not much used to milk. They
prefer streams of water, and in the
country where they live, there is q
good supply of honey. The points we
wish to enquire about is whether the
new government will pay large an
1uities, and whether there will be
plenty Of whiskey''
Gradually driven westward, in 1916
Keokuls led his tribe into the Kan
sas country, which for him was his
last stand. Shortly afterwards he
died. poisoned by one Of his own
tribe. .,sss.s
Keokuk was born on Rock river
near Rock Island, in 1883. He died In
Kansas in 1S4S. In October, 1883, the
late Caleb F. Davis and DR.. Joshua M
Shaffer, lately deceased, representing
small group of patriotic citizens OF
Keolsuk, went to Franklin county
Kansas, taking with them credentials
from the commissioner Of Indian af.
fairs of the United States. Here they
found and secured the remains of the
cid chief, which they brought to
Keokuk, and which with proper form
and ceremony were re-interred here
They also brought. with them the
criginal marble slab which marked
the chiefs grave IN Kansas, and which
/ is Incorporated in this monument
This slab bears the following inscrip
tom
Sacred to the memory of Keokuk
| a distinguished Sac chief. Born in
Rock Island in 1883. Died in April
l1S4S"
And now, through the splendid 10y
atty, continued perseverance, and sue
cessful efforts of the patriotic womel
lof the keokuk chapter of the Daugh
tiers of the American Revolution. thi