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Indian History -Whiteside

Transcribed from the PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF WHITESIDE COUNTY, IL
Originally published 1885
Chapman Bros. Chicago, IL


Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
 www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

INDIAN HISTORY

Just before the advent of the white men, the territory comprising the county of Whiteside was occupied by the Sacs and Foxes and the Winnebago tribes of Indians. The Rock River Valley was what might be termed the Indian’s paradise, abounding, as it did, with game of all kind, and its clear waters stocked with an abundance of fish. The Sacs and Foxes were originally of the Algonquin tribe, inhabiting the Eastern States, but had been driven step by step towards the setting sun by the whites and other warlike tribes of Indians, the Iroquois being an inveterate foe.

In 1804 a treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes by which they ceded to the whites all title to the Rock River country, though they were permitted the privilege of living and hunting therein as long as it remained the property of the United States. This treaty Black Hawk, one of their most celebrated chiefs, would never recognize, asserting that it was secured by the whites through fraud, the Indian chiefs being drunk when the treaty was signed. In the War of 1812 these tribes sided with Great Britain. In 1816 a treaty was made with them at Fort Armstrong (Rock Island) by which that of 1804 was ratified, and large bodies of land were ceded to the United States. Black Hawk signed this treaty.

In 1829, a portion of the land in the Rock River country was sold to private individuals, and therefore it became necessary to remove the Indiana across the Mississippi. Another treaty was therefore made, in 1830, by which they agreed to surrender the land ceded to the United States and peaceably retire to their Iowa reservations. Notwithstanding Black Hawk was a party to the treaty and retired with his tribe, yet he longed to return to live and hunt in the beautiful Rock River country. He represented to the tribes that their rights to the soil were inalienable and the cessions and treaties were null and void. In 1831, with 300 warriors and his women and children, Black Hawk re-crossed the Mississippi, ordered the settlers away and killed their cattle and otherwise destroyed their property. Gov. Reynolds at once issued a call for 700 troops to drive them back to their reservation, and 1,600 responded to the call. Upon the appearance of these troops Black Hawk, with his warriors, fled across the river, and for fear of pursuit and punishment, sued for peace. Another treaty was entered into by which the Indians agreed to forever remain west of the Mississippi River, and never to re-cross it without permission of the President or Governor of the State. The treacherous character of the Indians was shown the following year, when Black Hawk and the disaffected braves returned to the Rock River.

In Whiteside County there were several Indian villages, the most noted being that known as Prophetstown, being the home of the Prophet, a noted Indian chief of the Winnebago tribe. There were villages and various points along the Rock River, that stream abounding in fish.

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