OCR Text |
Show I TODAY m HISTORY I MONDAY, OCTOBER 3. 1910. Black Hawk, Famous Indian Chief, Died. Black Hawk, the chief of the Sacs and Foxes, was one of the rnosu accomplished men of his race. Tlie date of his birth has never been actually ascertained, but he was well up In years when he started the rebellion In 18,0 that bears hip name. During that year the tribes, of which he was a chief, through another chief as negotiator, sold much of their land to tho United States and agreed to move to the west of the Mississippi. Black Ilnwk had not been consulted In the matter and ho became very Indignant, lie claimed that foul advantnge had been taken of the Indians In-dians by tho government, and he meant, to resist. In those days fair and square dealing with the Indians? was not to be seriously considered, and naturally the savages went on tho war path, but It was not long until they wcro subdued by tno government troops. Black Tiawk and his followers were driven westward from ono stand to another, an-other, until finally tho old chief, wearied of righting, having reached the Winnebago village of Prairie, du Chlcn. ho decided lo givo up the struggle, When ho delivered deliv-ered himself up to tlie American general, the soldiers were seated at a table. They greeted him cordially and asked him If he had anything to say for himself. The cap! tired chieftain drew himself up to his full height, and then spoke In a slow and majestic manner: "You have taken me prisoner with all my warriors. I am much grieved, for I expected, if I did hot defeat you. to hold out much longer and give you more trouble before I surrendered. I tried hard to bring you Into ambush, but your general understands Indian fighting. Your bullets flew like birds in the air. and whizzed by our ears like the wind through ihe trees In winter. My warriors war-riors fell all around me: It began to look dismal. The sun rose dim on us in the morning, and at night It'nank into a dark cloud, and looked like a ball of fire. That was tho last sun that shone on Black Hawk. His heart Is dead and no longer boats quick In his bosom He is now a prisoner to the white man; they will do wltli him as they wish. But he can stand torture; he Is not afraid of death. Ho Is no coward. Black Hawk Is an Indian. "Ho has done nothing for which an Indian need be ashnmed. He has fought for his countrymen, the squaws, and papooses, against, white men. who came year after year to cheat him and take away their lands. Black Hawk Is a. true Indian and disdains to cry llko a woman. Ho feels for his wife, his children, and friends. But he docs noi care for himself. him-self. "Farewell, my nation! Black Hawk tried to save you and avenge your wrongs. He drank the blood of some of the whites. He has been taken prisoner, and his plans are stopped. He can do no more. He Is near his end. His sun Is setting, and lie will rise no more. Farewell to Black Hawk!" The general was much Impressed by Black Hawk's patriotism and sent the noted chief to Washington lo confer with President Jackson. From there Black Hawk was sent to Norfolk. Baltimore. Philadelphia and New York, where he was amazed and much flattered by the immense crowds who flocked from all quarters to obtain a view of him. He was finally sent back beyond the Mississippi, Missis-sippi, where he was liberated. Black Hawk, the orator and defeated chieftain, died October 3. 1S3S Many whiles, as well as Indians, assembled to pay their last respects to the noted red man. and burled him as tho Sacs chieftains chief-tains had always been Interred. This was according to his wish- On October ? the famous treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. and the United States treaty with Holland In 17S2. Today Is the birthday of Charles Jared Ingersoll. tho statesman and historian his-torian (17S2); George Bancroft, historian (1800). George Ripley, journalist and critic (1S02), William Gaston, Massachusetts Massachu-setts statesman (1S20); Charles Gordon Ames, clergyman and author M$28). and Jcannetlc L. Gilder, author (1819). It Is the date of the death of Robert Barclay, celebrated Scottish Quaker flGOOJ. and Victor, the French dramatic writer (1846). |