The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-11-11

lTOuDlc mhker, ue-
clined to interest himself in the mat
ter, and with many of the people,
moved across into what is now Iowa.
Black Hawk, however, declared that
he had been deceived regarding the
terms Of the treaty of 1904. and, with
his followers, declined to leave. He
tried to interest some Of the. other
tribes In the region in an uprising,
and managed to create so much trou-
BILE that the militia were sent against
him. He and his people were fore
warned of this move, and before the
militia had reached his village, 1t was
deserted. The empty lodges were
burned as token of the white mans
displeasure, and a fortnight after
ward, at a conference, Black Hawk
signed an agreement to keep the
peace, and to join his people on the
other side Of the Mississippi.
This was in June. The next winter
was spent In negotiations with tribes
in every direction. Black Hawk had
signed the peace treaty because he
must. Now he was trying to start
war If he could, and because he did
not understand the white mans ways,
he felt himself justified in his con-
duct.
Spring came, and the Sank chief
began his campaign. Had the whites
remained in ignorance Of his move.
ments a few weeks longer, so that he
could have recruited more men from
the other tribes, perhaps the story
Of the Black Hawk war would have
been different, but four days after he
crossed the river into the eastern ter
ritory again, he was discovered. The
settlers were warned, and troops were
mustered to pursue him.
The militia which assumed this
duty was not the sort of troops to
He routed them in an engagement on
May IA, 1882, and then turned his
attention to the settlements along the
frontier, killing and burning, while
the soldiers were almost powerless to
do anything against the formidable
Uduus IL was uOt uhIlA uly IudL LuC
Sank suffered any great loss, but vol
unteers under Gen. James D. Henry
overlook him on the 21st of that
month, and defeated him, with loss
Of 6S warriors. This was the turn of
fortune for the great Sank leader. He
retreated, but was overtaken by the
troops, who again attacked him so
determinedly that 40 Of his men were
captured, and $50 driven into the
river. Those who crossed were cut of
by the Sioux, who were their enc
mics, and the instruction was definite
ly put down.
Black Hawk escaped to the north,
but the Winnebago, whom he had en-
deavored to enlist in the cause, fol-
lowed and captured him, and he was
made prisoner Of the United States.
He was held for more than month
at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and
then was taken on a tour of the east
ern cities, where people crowded to
see the fallen warrior. The United
States Literary Gazette Of Philadel-
phia, wrote him up in enthusiastic
style: "Black Hawk was sitting in a
chair, and apparently depressed in
spirits. He is about sixty-five, Of mid
ding size, with a head that would
excite the envy Of phrenologist-one
Of the finest that Heaven ever let
fall on the shoulder Of an Indian"
In 1887 Black Hawk, with Keokuk,
again went east, and on his return he
settled near Iowaville, and died there
on October of the next year.
The valiant Sank was not allowed
to rest in quiet. His body was stolen,
and the bones prepared for articula-
ton. Perhaps the skeleton would have
been displayed to the curious as the
living man had been, but the COVER
nor Of the territory protested, and
the bones were restored to Iowa. They
were placed among the collections of
the Burlington Historical society,
where they remained until 1855, when
the building containing them was
burned.
In an old account of Black Hawks
life, we find the following lines by
Freneau quoted:
What fend could thus disturb the
peaceful dead?
Remembrance pointing to what last
he said:
Prepare the hollow tomb, and place
me low,
Ny trusty bow and arrows by my
side;
For long the journey Is that must go,
without a partner and without
guide"