Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-21
TALE OF Staying
OF WHITES TOLD
Story of Battle of Campo ell
Island Feature of Battle
Anniversary.
100 YEARS SINCE EVENT
Program at Island Under Auspices Of
Historical Society Attracts
Audience Of 200.

July 10, 1914. a band of Indian braves
under the leadership of their chief,
Black Hawk, massacred 16 whites on
an island in the Mississippi which was
later named Campbelrs island, taking
its Slame from the commander of the
fleet of boats that was there beached.
I he anniversary of this massacre was
observed yesterday on the ground
where it was perpetrated 100 years
ago, under the shadow of the shaft
that has been erected to commemor-
ate the bravery of the fleets crew that
made the fight and in memory Of those
whose lives were sacrificed.
Given under the auspices of the Rock
Island Historical society, the obseS5-
ance of the anniversary was fittingly
carried out with a program yesterday
afternoon. w. A. Meese of Moline,
who had arranged the details of the
program, introduced Phil lIitchell of
this city, who presided as vice presi-
dent of the society in the absence of
the president, S. w. Searle. Mr. Nit
chell, in taking the chair, expressed
his pleasure at seeing the large at
tendance of the afternoon and especi-
ally of the young people-the men and
women OF tomorrow-who could learn
lessons of patriotism from the recital
of the deeds of bravery and sacrifices
made by their forefathers. He then
introduced Rev. Joseph Kelley of st.
Mary's church. Moline, who pronounc-
ed the invocation.
Haney Tells Story.
Rev. Richard S. Haney. the princi-
pal speaker of the afternoon, then
took up the story OF the massacre, the
anniversary OF which was being cele-
brated. In introducing the story, Mr..
Haney spoke of the verdure-clad Mis-
sissippi valley as the stage of one
great drama after another from the
time of the mound builders, who fought
the wild beasts of the plains and each
ether, through the scenes of all the
ages since to the time OF the wars
with the Indians and the last great
rebellion. II has ever been a war of
freedom, he said. Men have given the
best they possessed; have given their
lives for their country as a heritage
to their children's children. Mr.. Haney
in telling the story said in part:
nun DfiOlS NA1
sacre of Campbell's island the fleet of
vessels commanded by Major Camp
bell and the tribe of Indians With their
chief Black Hawk had met near the
confiux of the Mississippi and Rock
rivers in friendly conference. There
was no i'll feeling, no enmity. no ami
mostly; they had clasped hands-th6
white man and the red man, the for
mer the guests OF the latter, and had
parted the best of friends. With the
departure of the fleet for a point up
the river, a messenger came from
Prairie du Chen to remind Black Hawk
of his promise to wage war against the
whites; reminding him that now was
the appointed time and of the chief
tain's word of honor.
"Hurriedly the warriors were gath
cred together, and going stealthily
along the shore, followed the feet, to
overtake it at some advantageous
point. The boats passed Rock island,
and while making their way across the
treacherous rapids, were overtaken by
the Indians, following the Illinois
shore waiting for the time when they
knew the boats would be driven
ashore.
Boats Are Beached.
an the late afternoon of July 10,
1914, the boats drifted into shore and
struck a rock, where they were beach
ed Major Campbell placed guards,
but hardly had they taken their sta
tons when whoop was heard and the
Indians in large numbers descended
upon the unsuspecting and unprepared
whites, killing the sentinels. terrible
struggle ensuing. The boats COM
manded by Riggs and Rector, which
had proceeded up the stream, turned
about and went to the aid of the be-
sieged boat beached on the island.
Riggs dropped his anchor. and using
his boat as a shield. pushed it close to
the boat of Major Campbell, taking
from the latter vessel the dead and
wounded. The Indians then shot fire
arrows onto the boats and they were
soon in a blaze. Ten regulars. four
rangers. one woman and one child
killed and is wounded was the toll OF
the battle. Black Hawk. in his story
of the battle, said he admired the white
men for their courage and although 1t
was a victory for the red men II was
the beginning OF the tearing OF power
from the red man and freedom and
liberty for the whites.
Many changes have taken place
and where the red men roamed, 1O0.-
600 men and women now enjoy the
rights of liberty, the Indian camp has
given place to fertile fields. Liberty