Autobiography of Ma ka tai me she kia kiak, or Black Hawk

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The change in the manner of payment of annuities would have been
opposed by Keokuk and his head men, had they been let into the secret,
as the annuity money when paid over was principally controlled by him,
and always to the detriment of the Sacs' traders who were in
opposition to the American Fur Company, the former having to rely
almost entirely upon the fall and winter trade in furs and peltries to
pay the credits given the Indians before leaving for their hunts.

BLACK HAWK'S LAST VISIT

To Yellow Banks was in the fall of 1836, after the town of Oquawka had
been laid out, and when told that the town had taken the Indian name,
instead of its English interpretation, he was very much gratified, as
he had known it as Oquawka ever since his earliest recollection and
had always made it a stopping place when going out to their winter
camps. He said the Skunk river country was dotted over with Cabins
all the way down to the Des Moines river, and was filling up very fast
by white people. A new village had been started at Shokokon (Flint
Hills) by the whites, and some of its people have already built good
houses, but the greater number are still living in log cabins. They
should have retained its Indian name, Shokokon, as our people have
spent many happy days in this village. Here too, we had our council
house in which the braves of the Sac nation have many times assembled
to listen to my words of counsel. It was situated in a secluded but
romantic spot in the midst of the bluffs, not far from the river, and
on frequent occasions, when it became necessary to send out parties to
make war on the Sioux to redress our grievances, I have assembled my
braves here to give them counsel before starting on he war-path. And
here, too, we have often met when starting out in the fall for our
fall and winter's hunt, to counsel in regard to our several locations
for the winter. In those days the Fur Company had a trading house
here and their only neighbors were the resident Indians of Tama's
town, located a few miles above on the river.

The Burlington _Hawk-Eye_, of a late date, in reference to this
council house, says:

"A little distance above the water works, and further around the turn
of the bluff is a natural amphitheater, formed by the action of the
little stream that for ages has dripped and gurgled down its deep and
narrow channel to the river. It is a straight, clear cut opening in
the hill side, slightly rising till at a distance of seventy-five or
one hundred yards from the face of the bluff it terminates as suddenly
and sharply as do the steeply sloping sides.

"Well back in this grassy retreat, upon a little projection of earth
that elevates it above the surrounding surface, lies a huge granite
boulder. In connection with the surroundings it gives to the place
the appearance of a work of man, everything is so admirably arranged
for a council chamber. Here, it is rumored by tradition, the dusky
warriors of the Sacs gathered to listen in attentive silence to the
words of their leader, Black Hawk, who from his rocky rostrum
addressed the motionless groups that strewed the hill sides;
motionless under his addresses and by them aroused to deeds of
darkness and crafty daring that made the name of their chief a synonym
with all things terrible.

"Whatever of truth this story may contain we cannot say, and it may be
no one knows. Certain it is, however, that Black Hawk's early history
is intimately linked and interwoven with that of our city, and in
justice to a brave man and a soldier, as well as a 'first settler' and
a citizen, his name and his last resting place should be rescued from
the oblivion that will soon enshroud them."

Another village has been commenced by the whites on the Mississippi
river, at Fort Madison, which is being built up very rapidly. The
country, too, is fast settling up by farmers, and as the Sacs have
made a settlement on the frontier farther west, on our old hunting
grounds, he said he would have to move farther back so as to be near
his people; and on bidding us farewell, said it might be the last
time, as he was growing old, and the distance would be too great from
the point at which he intended to build a house and open a little farm
to make a visit on horseback, and as the Des Moines river is always
low in the fall of the year he could not come in his canoe.

At the close of the summer of 1837 the President of the United States
invited deputations from several tribes Of Indians residing on the
Upper Mississippi to visit him at Washington. Among those who
responded to his invitation were deputations from the Sacs and Foxes
and Sioux, who had been at enmity, and between whom hostilities had
been renewed, growing out of their inhuman treatment of many of the
women and children of the Sacs, after they had made their escape from
the battle of Bad Axe, at the close of the war.

Keokuk, principal chief of the Sacs and Foxes, (by the advice of his
friend, Sagenash, Col. George Davenport, of Rock Island) invited Black
Hawk to join his delegation, which invitation he readily accepted, and
made one of the party; whilst the Sioux were represented by several of
their crafty chiefs. Several counsels were held, the object of which
was to establish peace between the Sacs and Foxes and Sioux, and in
order to perpetuate it, make a purchase of a portion of the country of
the Sioux, which territory should be declared neutral, and on which
neither party should intrude for any purpose; but the Sioux, whose
domain extends far and wide, would not consent to sell any of their
land; hence nothing was accomplished.

Before returning to their county the Sac and Fox delegation visited
the large cities in the East, in all of which Black Hawk attracted
great attention; but more particularly in Boston, as he did not visit
it during his former tour. The delegation embraced Keokuk, his wife
and little son, four chiefs of the nation, Black Hawk and son, and
several warriors. Here they were received and welcomed by the mayor
of the city, and afterwards by Governor Everett as the representative
of the State. On the part of the city, after a public reception, the
doors of Faneuil Hall were opened to their visitors to hold a levee
for the visits of the ladies, and in a very short time the "old cradle
of liberty" was jammed full.

After dinner the delegation was escorted to the State House by a
military company, and on their arrival were conspicuously seated in
front of the Speakers' desk, the house being filled with ladies,
members of the legislature, and dignitaries of the city council.

Governor Everett then addressed the audience, giving a brief history
of the Sac and Fox tribe, whose principal chiefs (including the great
war chief) were then present, and then turning to them hi said:
"Chiefs and warriors of the united Sacs and Foxes, you are welcome to
our hall of council. Brothers, you have come a long way from your
home to visit your white brethren; we rejoice to take you by the hand.
Brothers, we have heard the names of your chiefs and warriors. Our
brethren who have traveled in the West have told us a great deal about
the Sacs and Foxes. We rejoice to see you with our own eyes.

"Brothers, we are called the Massachusetts. This is the name of the
red men who once lived here. Their wigwams were scattered on yonder
fields, and their council fire was kindled on this spot. They were of
the same great race as the Sacs and Foxes.

"Brothers, when our fathers came over the great water they were a
small band. The red man stood upon the rock by the seaside and saw
our fathers. He might have pushed them into the water and drowned
them; but he stretched out his hand to them and said: 'Welcome, white
man.' Our fathers were hungry, and the red man gave them corn and
venison. They were cold, and the red man wrapped them in his blanket.
We are now numerous and powerful, but we remember the kindness of the
red men to our fathers. Brothers, you are welcome; we are glad to see
you.

"Brothers, our faces are pale, and your faces are dark, but our hearts
are alike. The Great Spirit has made His children of different
colors, but He loves them all.

"Brothers, you dwell between the Mississippi and Missouri. They are
mighty rivers. They have one branch far East in the Alleghanies and
another far West in the Rocky Mountains, but they flow together at
last into one great stream and ran down into the sea. In like manner
the red man dwells in the West and the white man in the East, by the
great water; but they are all one band, one family. It has many
branches; but one head.

"Brothers, as you entered our council house, you beheld the image of
our great father, Washington. It is a cold stone; it cannot speak to
you, but he was the friend of the red man, and bade his children live
in friendship with their red brethren. He is gone to the world of
spirits, but his words have made a very deep print in our hearts, like
the step of a strong buffalo on the soft clay of the prairie.

"Brother, (addressing Keokuk) I perceive your little son between your
knees. May the Great Spirit preserve his life, my, brother. He grows
up before you, like the tender sapling by the side of the great oak.
May they flourish for a long time together; and when the mighty oak is
fallen on the ground may the young tree fill its place in the forest,
and spread out its branches over the tribe.

"Brothers, I make you a short talk and again bid you welcome to our
council hall."

Keokuk rose and made an eloquent address. Several of the other chiefs
spoke, and after them the old war chief, Black Hawk, on whom the large
crowd were looking with intense interest, arose and delivered a short
but dignified address.

Presents were then distributed to them by the Governor. Keokuk
received a splendid sword and a brace of pistols, his son a nice
little rifle, the other chiefs long swords, and Black Hawk a sword and
brace of pistols.

After the close of ceremonies in the Capitol, the Indians gave a
exhibition of the war dance, in the common in front of the Capitol, in
presence of thirty thousand spectators, and then returned to their
quarters.

BLACK HAWK'S REMOVAL TO THE DES MOINES RIVER.

Soon after his return from Boston he removed his family and little
band farther West, on the Des Moines river, near the storehouse of an
Indian trader, where he had previously erected a good house for his
future home. His family embraced his wife, two sons, Nashashuk and
Gamesett, and an only daughter and her husband. As he had given up
the chase entirely--having sufficient means from the annuities--he now
turned his attention to the improvement of his grounds, and soon had
everything comfortably around him. Here he had frequent visits from
the whites, who came out in large numbers to look at the country, many
of whom called through curiosity to see the great war chief, but all
were made welcome and treated with great hospitality.

In 1838 Fort Madison had grown to be a little village, and its
inhabitants were not only enterprising and industrious, but patriotic
citizens. On the 4th of July of that year they had a celebration and
having known and respected Black Hawk while residing in that part of
the country, invited him to join them as a guest on that occasion.

In reply to a letter of B.F. Drake, Esq., of Cincinnati, asking for
such incidents in the life of Black Hawk as he knew, Hon. W. Henry
Starr, of Burlington, Iowa, whom we knew for many years as a highly
honorable and intelligent gentleman, gave the following account of the
celebration in his reply, dated March 21, 1839:

"On the 4th of July, 1838, Black Hawk was present by special
invitation, and was the most conspicuous guest of the citizens
assembled in commemoration of that day. Among the toasts called forth
by the occasion was the following:

"'Our illustrious guest, Black Hawk: May his declining years be as
calm and serene as his previous life has been boisterous and full of
warlike incidents. His attachment and great friendship to his white
brethren, fully entitle him to a seat at our festive board.'"

"So soon as this sentiment was drank, Black Hawk arose and delivered
the following speech, which was taken down at the time by two
interpreted, and by them furnished for publication:

"It has pleased the Great Spirit that I am here to-day. I have eaten
with my white friends. The earth is our mother--we are now on it--
with the Great Spirit above us--it is good. I hope we are all friends
here. A few summers ago I was fighting against you--I did wrong,
perhaps; but that is past--it is buried--let it be forgotten.

"Rock river was a beautiful country--liked my towns, my cornfields,
and the home of my people. I fought for it. It is now yours--keep it
as we did--it will produce you good crops.

"I thank the Great Spirit that I am now friendly with my white
brethren--we are here together--we have eaten together--we are
friends--it is his wish and mine. I thank you for your friendship.

"I was once a great warrior-I am now poor. Keokuk has been the cause
of my present situation--but do not attach blame to him. I am now
old. I have looked upon the Mississippi since I have been a child. I
love the Great river. I have dwelt upon its banks from the time I was
an infant. I look upon it now. I shake hands with you, and as it is
my wish, I hope you are my friends.'

"In the course of the day he was prevailed upon to drink several
times, and became somewhat intoxicated, an uncommon circumstance, as
he was generally temperate.

"In the autumn of 1837, he was at the house of an Indian trader, in
the vicinity of Burlington, when I became acquainted and frequently
convened with him in broken English, and through the medium of
gestures and pantomine. A deep seated melancholy was apparent in his
countenance, and conversation. He endeavored to make me comprehend,
on one occasion, his former greatness, and represented that he was
once master of the country, east, north, and south of us--that he had
been a very successful warrior-called himself, smiting his breast,
'big Captain Black Hawk,' 'nesso Kaskaskias,' (killed the Kaskaskias,)
'nesso Sioux a heap,' (killed a great number of Sioux). He then
adverted to the ingratitude of his tribe, in permitting Keokuk to
supercede him, who, he averred, excelled him in nothing but drinking
whisky.

"Toward Keokuk he felt the most unrelenting hatred. Keokuk was,
however, beyond his influence, being recognized as chief of the tribe
by the government of the United States. He unquestionably possessed
talents of the first order, excelled as an orator, but his authority
will probably be short-lived, on account of his dissipation and his
profligacy in spending the money paid him for the benefit of his
tribe, and which he squanders upon himself and a few favorites,
through whose influence he seeks to maintain his authority.

"You inquire if Black Hawk was at the battle of the Thames? On one
occasion I mentioned Tecumthe to him and he expressed the greatest joy
that I had heard of him, and pointing away to the East, and making a
feint, as if aiming a gun, said, 'Chemocoman (white man) nesso,'
(kill.) From which I had no doubt of his being personally acquainted
with Tecumthe, and I have been since informed, on good authority, that
he was in the battle of the Thames and in several other engagements
with that distinguished chief."

In September, 1838, he started with the head men of his little band to
go to Rock Island, the place designated by the Agent, to receive their
annuities, but was taken sick on the way and had to return to his
home. He was confined to his bed about two weeks, and on the 3d day
of October, 1838, he was called away by the Great Spirit to take up
his abode in the happy grounds of the future, at the age of seventy-
one years. His devoted wife and family were his only and constant
attendants during his last sickness, and when brought home sick, she
had a premonition that he would soon be called away.

The following account of his death and burial we take from the
Burlington Hawk-Eye, and as we knew the writer as a reliable
gentleman, many years ago, we have no doubt of it being strictly
correct.

Captain James H. Jordan, a trader among the Sacs and Foxes before
Black Hawk's death, was present at his burial, and is now residing on
the very spot where he died. In reply to a letter of inquiry he
writes as follows:

ELDON, Iowa, July 15, 1881.

Black Hawk was buried on the northeast quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 2, township 70, range 12, Davis county, Iowa, near
the northeast corner of the county, on the Des Moines river bottom,
about ninety rods from where he lived when he died, and the north side
of the river. I have the ground on which he lived for a door yard, it
being between my house and the river. The only mound over the gave
was some puncheons split out and set over his grave and then sodded
over with blue gross, making a ridge about four feet high. A flag-
staff, some twenty feet high, was planted at the head, on which was a
silk flag, which hung there until the wind wore it out. My house and
his were only about four rods apart when he died. He was sick only
about fourteen days. He was buried right where he sat the year
before, when in council with Iowa Indians, and was buried in a suit of
military clothes, made to order and given to him when in Washington
City by General Jackson, with hat, sword, gold epaulets, etc., etc.

The Annals of Iowa of 1863 and 1864 state that the old chief was
buried by laying his body on a board, his feet fifteen inches below
the surface of the ground, and his head raised three feet above the
ground. He was dressed in a military uniform, said to have been
presented to him by a member of General Jackson's cabinet, with a cap
on his head ornamented with feathers. On his left side was a sword
presented him by General Jackson; on his right side a cane presented
to him by Henry Clay, and one given to him by a British officer, and
other trophies. Three medals hung about his neck from President
Jackson, ex-President John Quincy Adams and the city of Boston,
respectively. The body was covered with boards on each side, the
length of the body, which formed a ridge, with an open space below;
the gables being closed by boards, and the whole was covered with sod.
At the head was a flag-staff thirty-five feet high which bore an
American flag worn out by exposure, and near by was the usual hewn
post inscribed with Indian characters representing his war-like
exploits, etc. Enclosing all was a strong circular picket fence
twelve feet high. His body remained here until July, 1839, when it
was carried off by a certain Dr. Turner, then living at Lexington, Van
Buren county, Iowa. Captain Horn says the bones were carried to
Alton, Ills., to be mounted with wire. Mr. Barrows says they were
taken to Warsaw, Ills. Black Hawk's sons, when they heard of this
desecration of their father's grave, were very indignant, and
complained of it to Governor Lucas of Iowa Territory, and his
excellency caused the bones to be brought back to Burlington in the
fall of 1839, or the spring of 1840. When the sons came to take
possession of them, finding them safely stored "in a good dry place"
they left them there. The bones were subsequently placed in the
collection of the Burlington Geological and Historical Society, and it
is certain that they perished in the fire which destroyed the building
and all the society's collections in 1855; though the editor of the
Annals, (April, 1865, p. 478) says there is good reason to believe
that the bones were not destroyed by the fire, and he is "creditably
informed that they are now at the residence of a former officer of
said society and thus escaped that catastrophe."

Another account, however, and probably a more reliable one, states
that the last remains of Black Hawk were consumed as stated, in the
burning building containing the collections and properties of the
Burlington Geological and Historical Society.

In closing this narrative of the life of this noble old chief it may
be but just to speak briefly of his personal traits. He was an
Indian, and from that standpoint we must judge him. The make-up of
his character comprised those elements in a marked degree which
constitutes a noble nature. In all the social relations of life he
was kind and affable. In his house he was the affectionate husband
and father. He was free from the many vices that others of his race
had contracted from their associations with the white people, never
using intoxicating beverages to excess. As a warrior he knew no fear,
and on the field of battle his feats of personal prowess stamped him
as the "bravest of the brave."

But it was rather as a speaker and counsellor that he was
distinguished. His patriotism, his love of his country, his home, his
lands and the rights of his people to their wide domain, moved his
great soul to take up arms to protect the rights of his people.
Revenge and conquest formed no part of his purpose. _Right_ was all
that he demanded, and for _that_ he waged the unequal contests with
the whites. With his tribe he had great personal influence and his
young men received his counsel and advice, and yielded ready
acquiescence in his admonitions. With other tribes he was held in
high esteem, as well as by English and American soldiers, who had
witnessed his prowess on the field of battle.

THE BLACK HAWK TOWER.

This favorite resort of Black Hawk, situated on the highest bank of
Rock river, had been selected by his father as a lookout, at the first
building up of their village. From this point they had an
unobstructed view up and down Rock river for many miles, and across
the prairies as far as the vision could penetrate, and since that
country has been settled by the whites, for more than half a century,
has been the admiration of many thousands of people.

The village of Black Hawk, including this grand "look out," was
purchased from the Government by Col. George Davenport, at Black
Hawk's particular request, for the reason, as he afterwards told us,
that he could leave it with an abiding assurance that the graves of
their people would be protected from vandal hands.

This property including hundreds of acres lying between Rock river and
the Mississippi, is now owned by Hon. B. Davenport, and as it has long
been a pleasure resort for picnic and other parties, he has erected an
elegant pavilion on its site, with a good residence for a family, who
have charge of it, which will now make it the finest pleasure resort
in that part of the country. And in order to make it more easy of
access, he has constructed a branch from the Rock Island and Milan
railroad, leading directly to the Tower. Now its many visitors in the
future can sit on the veranda, and while enjoying the elegant scenery,
can take ease and comfort in the cool shade. And for this high
privilege the name of Davenport will receive many hearty greetings.

Fifty years ago (1832) we made, our first visit to Black Hawk's Tower
with Col. George Davenport, and listened with intense interest to his
recital of scenes that had been enacted there may years before; and
one year later had them all repeated, with may more, from the lips of
Black Hawk himself. How changed the scene. Then it was in its rustic
state, now this fine pavilion, being a long, low structure, built
somewhat after the Swiss cottage plan, with broad sloping roofs, and
wide, long porches on the north and south sides, the one facing the
road and the other fronting the river and giving a view of a beautiful
stretch of country up and down Rock river, greatly enhances its beauty
and adds much to the comfort of visitors.

The following beautiful word paintings by a recent visitor to the
Tower, we take from the Rock Island Union:

BLACK HAWK'S WATCH TOWER.
BY JENNIE M. FOWLER

Beautiful tower! famous in history
Rich in legend, in old-time mystery,
Graced with tales of Indian lore,
Crowned with beauty from summit to shore.

Below, winds the river, silent and still,
Nestling so calmly 'mid island and hill,
Above, like warriors, proudly and grand,
Tower the forest trees, monarchs of land.

A land mark for all to admire and wonder,
With thy history ancient, for nations to ponder,
Boldly thou liftest they head to the breeze,
Crowned with they plumes, the nodding trees.

Years are now gone--forever more fled,
Since the Indians crept, with cat-like tread,
With mocasined foot, with eagle eye--
The red men our foes in ambush lie.

The owl, still his nightly vigil keeps,
While the river, below him, peacefully sleeps,
The whip-poor-will utters his plaintive cry,
The trees still whisper, and gently sigh.

The pale moon still creeps from her daily rest,
Throwing her rays o'er the river's dark breast,
The katy-did and cricket, I trow,
In days gone by, chirruped, even as now.

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