THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
CHAPTER XIX.
BRIEF biographical sketches of prominent white men variously identified with our Indian history, as agents, interpreters, traders, or otherwise, are deemed quite appropriate to the purpose of this work. In this chapter, therefore; the reader will find some account of persons who, officially, and in other ways, sustained intimate relations with the various tribes in Iowa.
Julien Dubuque was one of three French traders who settled at Prairie du Chien as early as 1783. His companions were Giard and Antaya. On the 22d day of September, 1788, at Prairie du Chien, the chiefs of the Fox tribe of Indians who had a village on the west side of the Mississippi, near where the city of Dubuque is now situ-
ated, signed an article by which they conveyed to Dubuque (called by them "Little Night"), a tract described in the conveyance as ''148,176 arpens of land, situated at a place called the Spanish Mines, on the river Mississippi, at a distance of about four hundred and forty miles from St. Louis, forming in superficies about twenty-one leagues, beginning at the heights of the Little Maquoquetois to the heights of the Mesquatie Manque, being in front of said river seven leagues, by depth three leagues; the whole forming the said tract forming the Spanish Mines." This grant was signed by the following chiefs and head-men of the Fox tribe; to-wit., Blondeau, Basib-Piar, Ala Austin, Quivneau, Tobaque and Antaque. This was the first conveyance of any title to Iowa soil by the Indians to the whites, and here Julien Dubuque became the founder of the white man's first settlement in Iowa. The conveyance, however, comprehended only the right to occupy and work the mines within the limits specified.
Dubuque was regarded by the neighboring Indian tribes with great favor, and especially by the Sacs and Foxes, he having taken as a wife a maiden of the latter tribe, named Potosa. He had adopted many of the habits and customs of the Indians. He engaged in lead mining quite extensively and always maintained amicable relations with the Indians, over whom he possessed great influence.
Dubuque was born and educated in France, but emigrated to Canada when quite a young man. He had received in his native country a good education, but was evidently endowed with the spirit of adventure, and was a man of energy and perseverance. When he and his two companions reached Prairie du Chien, in 1783, to trade with the
Previous Pages:
Introductory Page| Portrait of MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAH (Black Hawk)| Title Page| Page 2|
Preface (pages 3 - 6)| Illustrations (page 7)| Contents (pages 8 - 17)
Chapter One| Chapter Two| Chapter Three| Chapter Four| Chapter Five
Chapter Six| Chapter Seven| Chapter Eight| Chapter Nine| Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven| Chapter Twelve| Chapter Thirteen| Chapter Fourteen| Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen| Chapter Seventeen| Chapter Eighteen
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