THE RED MEN OF IOWA.

One of the most important persons connected with the Sac and Fox agency in Iowa, was Josiah Smart, the agent's interpreter. He served under both General Street and Major Beach, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, both whites and Indians. Major Beach said of him: "He was one of God's noblemen, who combined in his character every brave, honest and generous sentiment that can adorn a man." He had taken an Indian woman of the Sac tribe for a wife, and while in the service of the agency in what is now Wapello county, had his residence near the agency-house. When the agency was removed to the Raccoon Forks of the Des Moines, he had his quarters with Major Beach, the agent, on what was called "Agency Prairie," less than a mile southeast of the present State capitol.

When Mr. Smart's half-breed children were of proper age they were sent to St. Louis to be educated in the best schools of that city. The Indians took great interest in these children, as shown by the following incident: When they were to receive their dues from the government, they came together at the agency, as was their custom. The traders, as usual, were first paid the amounts due them. While the Indians were waiting for their turn to receive the remainder, Keokuk arose and made a speech, saying: "Smart is one of us. He married one of our squaws.

To this proposition the tribe assented, and when Keokuk sat down, Poweshiek arose and said:
"The Fox Indian is as generous as the Sac, and although Smart has taken his squaw from the Sacs, still his halfbreed children's Indian blood calls for a box of silver of the Foxes as well as that of the Sacs, and they should have it."

Keokuk endeavored to dissuade Poweshiek from his purpose, but the people of the latter consenting, he gained his point, and Smart received the silver.

Soon after the Black Hawk War, and when the Sacs and Foxes occupied the reservation on Iowa River, a man known as John Gilbert established a trading-house among them. His real name, however, was John W. Prentice, and it was said that he was a cousin of George D. Prentice, the poet-editor of the "Louisville Journal." He had formerly been in business at Lockport, N. Y., but owing to some financial reverses, had abandoned his home, assumed the name of John Gilbert, and engaged in the service of the Green Bay Fur Company. He became familiar with the language of the Sacs and Foxes, and for this reason was sent to take charge of a trading-post among them in Iowa. He died near the trading-house, in Johnson county