Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-17


Guakies - wsll bseauss tia, latter
stood up for the early settlers. AZ the
writer now recalls the time Of trouble
was Just previous to the time Of the
Spirit Lake massacre. Finally the
Sioux became 10 abusive to the Mus
Quakies that war path was made be-
tween the two tribes and with same
came the declaration that the first OF
either tribe who was found on the
wrong side Of the trail would mean a
battle between the tribes for supre-
macy. The Sioux, having many more
warriors In the vicinity than their OPP
ponents were just spelling for trouble.
One day three Of the Sioux warriors
chased q buffalo over the war trial and
as result they passed over into the
Happy Hunting Ground" The war
trail was somewhat east Of the lake
running in q northwest and southeast
direction extending to the middle Rae
coon river either way. The Musquak-
les were trapping on the lake at the
time and unknown to the Siouxs had
been receiving reinforcement for sew
eral days. The Musquakies camped In
the timber which was located at tho
south and southeast side Of the lake,
making fine protection for the Mus
quakies, both as place Of keeping
their number of warriors and as q pro-
lection during the early part Of the
battle. The Siouxs made the attack
and while the Musquakies had am
munition for their guns played havoc
with the attacking SiouXs, until nearly
half of their number which was seven
hundred strong at the beginning, were
killed, while the defenders suffered
very slight loss, numbering three hun
bred strong at the beginning Of the
battle. Finally their ammunition gave
out and then the struggle became ter
rifle in a hand to hand encounter In
tho opening with knives and toma-
hawks. The battle went on until out
OF the total number engaged at the
start one Sioux and three Musquak-
les were left. In some way the CHIEF
Johnny Green did not know how they
missed scalping one Sioux who altho
wounded managed to get away.
A few years after the battle Johnny
Green and his wives were invited to
a Christmas dinner by Mr.. McCurdy.
After the dinner the old chief said he
was so full he would have to go out
and stretch. While out Of doors he re-
moved his clothing and showed Mr..
McCurdy the scars he received in the
conflict. Mr.. McCurdy said he had one
scar on the other until 1t really looked
as II he had been carved and recarved.
He also showed him the Sioux count
and the Musquakies count Of braves
in the battle and the figures given
above were correct.
The father of the writer passed over
a portion Of the battle ground in the
spring Of 1889 when he made trip
from Panora, Iowa, to Carroll to get a
reaping machine. At that time many
bones were still to be seen. Arrow
points, spear heads and stone toma-
hawks were still TO be found, and also
some Of the old gun barrels were to
be seen altho badly rusted. There Is
where the writer missed one opportun-
ity Of his life by not making collec-
ton and keeping same. What we did
gather up was either given away later
or lost, until now we have not a single
relic to show Of what might have been
collected, If we had only known what
such a collection would have meant In
the way of early history.
The Mount Moses battle mover oc-
Cured in history, but 1t has served as
a remarkable counting ground among
the young men and maidens OF the
county during its early history. Some
Of the contending lovers have decided
who was the best man in that loca-
ton, but no lives were ever lost even
tho some Of the contenders received
bloody noses. black eyes and some had
to find new sweethear:s. The same
history may be applied to +'Trollop's
Peak" High elevations in the early
history OF the county seemed to have
strong attractions for the ardent lovers
and their sweethearts.