The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1913-10-03
FACING TORTURES.
The Sublime Courage Shown BY
an American indian.
WILLING TO DIE FOR ANOTHER.

the Iowa and Musquakis Tribss
Fisursd-Hsroism That Won the
Admiration Of the Enemy.
A striking story of the courage and
self sacrifice Of which the American
Indian ut his best Is capable Is given
by o. n. 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
cident
It all began with an unfortunate
quarrel between IN Iowa and Mus
quake, in which the latter killed the
former and then in a moment Of fren-
ny scalped his victim. The two tribes
were ut peace. and this act; allowable
only il time of war. was. in Indian
eyes. an intolerable breach of good
faith.
The Musquakies offered III sorts OF
reparation. but the Iowas would ac-
cept nothing but the person of the Of
fender. to be tortured and pun 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 month to fort afy him
self for his terrible ordeal. but just
as the month was about to expire no
fell Ill with raging fever. In that
condition he could not be carrie ID across
the prairie. but failure to produce
him ut the appointed place would
arouse the suspicious and perhaps the
hostility of the Iowas.
council was called to detalte the
matter. before which appeared Como, a
brother of the sick man. 'Tbere are
no squaw men in our family" he de-
clared. II will go in his place.
The others tried to dissuade lAim and
described to him the tortures b o would
have to undergo. but he insist ed rpon
making the sacrifice. Accordingly an
escort was selected to accompany hiL9
at the head Of which Blacls Hawk,
then a young but widely respected
chief, was placed.
II never saw a more pathetic scene"
said Black Hawk. than the PARTING OF
Como and his father and me ther and
other relatives. The whole tribe was
overwhelmed with gloom"
In the middle of the afte rnoon thu
! party arrived at the Iowa e. village
Como had asked that his ider fifty shouk
not be disclosed, but one OF the Iowal
who was present ut the time the younI
Indian was slain saw ths the guilt,
party was not being delivered, and
Black Hawk told the whole story. Th,
| lowas accepted 1t as true and, after I
brief council. consented 10 the arrange
ment The death circle was staked ou
and patrolled with armed guards, and
Como was placed in it's center. whil>
his escort was entertal ned In the tepe,
Of the chief. It was q chill Novembel
day. and the sun was just sinking be
hind the cliffs Of the Des Moines rive,
when the escort left the camp.
They paused on a hill about a hal
mile distant from the camp. The,
could see that the fires had been lightet
round the death circle. and in the husl
Of the evening came the plaintiv,
sound Of Como chanting his death song
Having Travelled some two hours
they halted and made camp. Abou
midnight they heard the clatter o
horses feet. and In a moment more
single horseman rode up. It was Como
This was his remarkable story:
The fires Of the death circle wer,
burning brightly, and the squaws witt
their burning sticks were preparing +
make the first attempt to extot a or,
Of pain and agony. when an old man
the father OF the dead Indian. raise,
his voice:
"Stop!' be said. "Let me speak.
am the one that has suffered. My Sol
was killed and scalped by a Musqua
kie. was hungry for revenge, and wer
the one that killed and scalped hin
here would shout with Joy at hi
torture. But this young man Is brave
Never have seen such bravery before
He is too good a man to torture an,
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 bis blanke
about him and took his seat Withou
any ones making a single objection
Como was removed from the circle an
given food and drink. A few hour
later he was led from tho camp, allow
ed to mount his own pony and depar
IN peace.
According to estimates by treasur
experts, 425, 600 citizens OF the Unite'
States will have TO pay income take