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THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
the Indians; referred to the easy vengeance that might be inflicted upon a sparsely settled frontier, and of the rich booty that might be obtained. The effect upon Keokuk's braves was manifest. They began to paint and prepare for war, demanding that Keokuk lead them to battle. The chief himself appeared to sympathize with his people. He arose and addressed them in that strain of fervid eloquence of which he was master. He said:
"Braves: I am your chief; it is my duty to rule you as a father at home, and to lead you to war if you are determined to go; but in this war there is no middle course. The United States is a great power, and unless we conquer that great nation we must perish. I will lead you instantly against the whites on one condition; that is, that we shall first put all our women and children to death, and then resolve that having crossed the Mississippi, we shall never return, but perish among the graves of our fathers rather than yield to the white men."
These words, and Keokuk's desperate proposal, forced upon his people the true issue, and had the effect to allay their passions. This was the result he desired. His authority and influence were fully restored, and Black Hawk's emissary failed in his purpose.
Five of Keokuk's party in 1832, murdered a man named Martin, in Warren county, Illinois. One of them proved to be a nephew of the chief. A demand was made by the civil authorities for the murderers, to be dealt with according to law. The nephew of Keokuk was arrested, but the other four escaped. Keokuk was called upon to deliver them up also, but he was obliged to reply that they were beyond his reach, He called a council of his head men to
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SKETCH OF BLACK HAWK.
determine what could be done to make reparation for the injury. Keokuk told his people that unless satisfaction was made, the whites would send an army into their country, and great trouble would follow. Four of his young men then rose up and volunteered to be surrendered in lieu of the real culprits. They were accordingly delivered up: When the trial came on Keokuk appeared as a witness. In his testimony he stated that the young men arraigned in court were not the guilty ones, but that they had agreed to suffer instead of the murderers. As a matter of course they were acquitted.
After the Black Hawk War was over, and while that warrior was himself a captive in the hands of the authorities, rumors began to circulate in Illinois that the Sacs and Foxes were dissatisfied, and disposed to renew hostilities. When Keokuk heard of these rumors he was with a party of his people far away on the Des Moines. He immediately dictated a letter and had it forwarded to Governor Reynolds, of Illinois. The letter was in the following words :
"RACCOON FORK OF DES MOINES RIVER,
"November 30, 1832.
"To the Great Chief of Illinois:
"MY FATHER: I have been told by a trader, that several of your village criers (editors) have been circulating bad news, informing the whites that the Indians are preparing for war, and that we are dissatisfied. My father, you were present when the tomahawk was buried, and assisted me to place it so deep that it will never again be raised against your white children of Illinois. My father, very few of that misguided band that entered Rock River last summer,
remain. You have humbled them by war, and have made them friendly by your generous conduct to them after they
