The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-07-22

NsokuK there is monument
over his grave in the
city which was named for him, and
the Capitol at Washington holds a
bronze bust of this very un-Indian
Indian.
Keokuk was well-named, for the
word means lone who moves about
alert" 1t is said that he was one
quarter French. and this may account
for his unusual gift for intrigue, so
unnatural to the race which boosted
Of speaking with but one tongue.
1t was KeOkuk's great ideal to be-
come the leader of his people, the
Sank, although he was not a member
Of the ruling clan. He became one
Of the council while still very young,
and showed ability, and later was
made tribal guest-keeper, or host Hos
pitality was rendered at the expense
of the tribe, and his pleasant manner
and tact, given full play, caused his
lodge to become a social and political
center.
The chief characteristic of Keokuk
was his manner of keeping in the back
ground while he exerted his wiles,
playing factions against each other yet
remaining the unsupported friend of
all. BY this intriguing, he became the
leader in the Sank assembly, and so
long as he did not need to assert him
self in the face of some vital problem,
he was well-Iiked.
The Black Hawk war, however,
ruined his carefully-acquired prestige.
A small band of Sank agreed that the
tribe should give up the Rock river
country to the government, but when
the entire tribe was told of this agree
ment, there was great deal of oppo-
sition. Black Hawk and the loyal
Sank opposed giving up the country.
KeOkuk took such a neutral stand on
this important issue, that he lost all
social and political standing among
the fortnight Indians, who keenly dis
liked a passive attitude in vital af-
fairs.
At last, driven to take a stand, he
collected his loyal followers and went
TO the Foxes for protection. This
move, added to the result of Keokuk's
intrigues, divided the tribes, who here
tofore had maintained lukewarm sort
of union.
The war began before Black Hawk
had marshalled his forces, and after u
series ofelosing struggles, the Illinois
nd ol1inc
able to conquer him.
After the war, Keokuk saw the OPP
portunity to officially regain his leader
ship, and played so cleverly into the
governments hands that he was made
chief of the Sank. 1t was then, when
the announcement was made in open
council. that stout-hearted Black
Hawk. despising the intriguer, struck
him across the face. The Foxes, who
had protected him, Joined the Sank in
derision of this government creation.
and there is no doubt that Keokuk
paid dearly for his chieftainship in
the scorn and contempt of his people.
Still, the deft politician performed
one deed which earned him honor
among the very Indians who despised
him otherwise. He established the
claim of the Sank and Fox to the ter
ritory which Iowa now covers, debat-
ing earnestly for it with leaders from
other tribes, before officials at Wash
ington. This, if no more, he did for
his people. and if his own glory were
his real aim, the result is still in his
favor.
A speech of Keokuk's, made long
after this event, shows him as he was:
suave, flattering and oily: eve feel
proud that you have invited US here
this evening to drink glass with you;
the wine which we have drank, we
never tasted before; it is the wine
which the white men make, who
know how to make any thing; will
take another glass, as 1 have much to
say: we feel proud that we can drink
such wine. I talked to our youna
men, who had the hearts OF men; j
told them that the Great Spirit was
In our councils; they promised to live
in peace; those who listened to bad
counsels and followed our brothers,
have said their ears are closed, they
will live in peace; sent their words
TO our great father, whose ears were
open. whose heart was made sad by
the conduct of our brothers; he has
sent to their wigwams; we thank him
say 10 him that Keokuk thanks
him. want to see him, shall be
proud to take him by the hand, / have
heard much of him, his head is gray,
I must see him: tell him that as soon
as the snow is off of the prairie, l shall
come. What I have said, wish
spoken to him. before it's put on pa
per. so that he shall hear it as have
said it: tell him that Keokuk spoke
It: what our brother said in council
today, let us forget; he told me to
speak; / spoke his words"
Keokuk died in Kansas, at the age
of sixty-eight years. Thirty-nve years
later, his remains were taken to Keo-
kuk, Iowa, and monument erected
over them by the citizens.
yrI0