Knox County, Illinois - Chapter 3: Black Hawk War, 1878

Happily for the few settlers of Knox county, the atrocities committed during the war with the Indians in 1832 were all enacted without its boundaries. There were, however, so many depredations committed in adjoining counties that great fear was manifested by the settlers here lest their own homes would be the scene of similar massacres. It must be remembered that at this time all the country lying north of this county extending to Rock river was under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Knox county, and therefore virtually a portion of the county, which had the tendency to make the murders committed there seem the nearer. Upon Rock river the bloody battles were fought between the Indians and whites. Various and terrible depredations were committed on peaceable whites, which tended more than the war to horrify the pioneers here. A settler was shot by six Indians just over the line in Warren county. One man was killed near Princeton; another in Buffalo Grove; another between Fox River and the Illinois, and two near Ottawa. A party of about TO Indians made a descent upon a small settlement on Indian creek, a tributary of Fox river, and massacred 15 persons, - men, women and children, - and took two young women prisoners, - one 15, the other 17 years old. These people, composing three families, lived in one house. The Indians approached the house in the day time, and entered suddenly, with but little notice. Some of the inmates were immediately shot down, others were pierced through with spears or dispatched with the tomahawk. The Indians afterwards related, with an infernal glee, how the women had squeaked like geese when they were run through the body with spears, or felt the tomahawk entering their heads. All the victims were carefully scalped; their bodies were mutilated and mangled; the little children were chopped to pieces with axes; and the women were tied up by the heels to the walls of the house. The two young ladies were hurried by forced marches beyond pursuit. After a long and fatiguing journey with their Indian conductors, through a wilderness country, with but little to eat, and being subjected to a variety of fortune, they were at last rescued, $2,000 being given as a ransom.

As early as 1S31 trouble was feared, and even expected, with the Indians. To learn positively the condition of affairs, the few families at Henderson sent Thomas McKee, Thos. Maxwell, Joseph Rowe, and Robert Greenwell to Rock Island to consult with Gen. Gains, who was commander of the military post on Rock Island. The General assured the gentlemen that no danger need be apprehended. He also wrote a letter to the people telling them they need not fear any trouble from the Indians. This communication had the tendency to dispel the uneasiness the settlers had experienced for their safety. On making this trip, after crossing Pope creek the messengers struck an Indian trail which soon led them upon quite a band of mounted Indian warriors. As soon as seen by the savages half of them defiled to either side, thus surrounding the pioneers. McKee, being able to address them in their own language, told them they meant no harm, and showed them they had no guns; but still the Indians were in doubt, and took them to be spies. Finally McKee told them they were on their way up to trade with Davenport. The name of Davenport carried with it a charm for the Indian; soon this occasion, the statement had the desired effect, and they were permitted to pass peaceably on, but were closely watched. Passing through the Indian headquarters on Rock river, Prophet's village, they saw hundreds of Indians.

They reached the fort in safety, and started on their return trip only to encounter more dangers. Coming to Rock river, Mr. McKee, without investigating, rode in on his faithful horse, thinking he could ford the stream without trouble, as he had done before. Soon the horse went under; the saddle-bags, filled with shelled corn, floated off down the stream; a struggle ensued. Filially, Mr. McKee, seeing the animal could not gain the shore, turned him, and after an exhaustive struggle, reached the shore he left. A squaw and young Indian got in a canoe and recovered his saddle-bags, for which he gave them the contents. They then gave an Indian 25 cents to show them a shallow ford. The Indians were suspicious of these messengers and sent one of their number to follow them as far as Pope creek.

For a time no danger was felt; but early in the spring of 1832, when Black Hawk recrossed the Mississippi, the feelings of fear were again kindled among the isolated settlers, and now many of them determined for their safety to leave the country where they were liable to be slaughtered any day and return to older settlements, for in their defenseless condition they could afford no security to their families. Thomas McKee, then a young man, strongly objected to any movement which would lead to abandonment of their homes. He held forth the idea that if the settlers all were armed they could protect themselves from invasion by the Indians, and it was his belief that arms could be obtained bv applying to the commander of Fort Armstrong. Many of the settlers thought not, and, being desirous of leaving, naturally opposed any attempt that might be made to secure guns. They thought it wise and best to return to their old towns. There was, however,' one man, F. V. Barber, formerly a lieutenant in the regular army, who with Mr. McKee thought arms could be obtained on application. Mr. McKee resolved to make the attempt at all hazards, and, accordingly, in company with James McMurtry and Fantelroy Freeman, set out for Rock Island. After a long and weary journey through a wild, uninhabited country, they reached the fort, where, without delay or trouble, they secured 100 guns with accoutrements. These were sent down the river to Oquawka, and from there brought in wagons to this county, where they were distributed among 72 men living in Knox and Warren counties, which at the time included almost every man in this county. Major McKee and his companion were more fortunate than were Mr. St. Vrain with a few other men who were sent to Rock Island by General Atkinson about this same time. On their way they fell in with a party of Indians led by a chief well known to St. Vrain, who was an Indian agent. This chief was called "The Little Bear." He had been a particular friend of the agent, and had adopted him as a brother. Mr. St. Train felt no fear of one who was his friend, - one who had been an inmate of his house, and who had adopted him as brother, and approached the Indians with the greatest confidence and security. But the treacherous Indian, untrue in war to the claims of gratitude, friendship and brotherhood, no sooner got him in power than he murdered and scalped him and all his party with as little compassion as if he had never known him or professed to be his friend.

The following receipt was signed by those who received arms, and included rifles, flasks, bullet-molds, screw-driver, wiper, spring-vice, powder, lead, rifle-flint. The dates of receipts range from April 21 to June 3, almost all of them, however, being distributed on the former date: " We, the undersigned, citizens of Henderson river and Knox and Warren counties, do hereby acknowledge to have received of Thomas McKee, Jr., and Fantelroy Freeman the several articles of arms and accoutrements set opposite our respective names." Those marked with star subsequently served in the Black Hawk war.

Of the 72 men who are represented in the above list there are but five now living in Knox county. Almost the entire number have passed from earth, and but a few more years will roll by until not a a single name will be represented among men.

The military organization formed in this county was called the ''Volunteer Rangers," and was commanded by Captain William Mc- Murtry, - Turner Roundtree, First Lieutenant, and George Latimer, Second Lieutenant. They did not wear military uniforms, but continued in citizen's dress. The battalion was mounted, each man furnishing his own horse. They ranged over the country from this county to the Mississippi river in the neighborhood of Oquawka. Although out about 60 days, they were fortunate enough not to have an engagement with the enemy.

The Rangers were dismissed from service at Macomb, being out over two months, and received therefor the remunerative sum of 86 cents per day for self and horse. Afterward the General Government was kind enough to give to each participant 80 acres of land.

For further protection three log forts were constructed, - two in Henderson township and one in Rio; also another three miles southeast of Knoxville, but was never occupied. Those in Henderson stood one on section 10 and the other on section 33. Fort Aggie, as the one in Rio was termed, stood on section 27. These places of refuge were rather a stockade than a fort, except the one below Knoxville, although known among the early settlers only by the latter name. A description of Lewis' fort, as the one on section 33 was known, will suffice for all. It was built under the supervision of William Lewis, who, with 16 others, constructed it in the short time of four weeks, which, considering the vast amount of physical labor required, is a case almost without a parallel. It stood a short distance from the timber, and was 210 feet square, being built of oak timbers 12 feet each in length, set close logether in the ground, forming a fence about 8 or 9 feet high, which was lined with sod, ploughed 2 feet wide and 4 inches thick, and cut in pieces 2 feet in length. Every 4 feet port-holes were made. On two of the corners were erected block houses, at which each of the four sides of the fort could be protected by the guard. These were 16 by 20 feet, and a few feet from the ground, projected beyond the walls of the main structure, thus enab ling the guard to prevent an approach of incendiaries. These were covered with clapboards. On the inside and adjoining the outer walls was a shed extending all the way around. One doorway, 12 feet wide, which was closed with a heavy puncheon door, was the only place of entry. They were preparing to construct a sham cannon of basswood, which they intended to place above the wall pointing toward the timber, from which place they expected the Indians; but peace was declared ere it was finished. The only shelter being the shed referred to, consequently the exposure of those " forted" was often great. On one occasion, when many of the settlers had taken refuge, Mrs. Hansford commenced packing up her things preparatory to leaving for home, which aroused the curiosity of the others, who anxiously inquired if she intended to leave. She told them that she "would rather be killed at home by the Indians than die from exposure, as they were all bound to if they staid there." Late one night, while everything was quiet around their cabin, this same lady awoke thinking she heard the stealthy tread of red men. She aroused her husband, telling him the Indians were coming and that they must be off to the fort. He was not so easily frightened, and said he " wouldn't go, as no Indians were near." Soon Mr. Coy's family came and knocked for admittance. They were on their way to the fort.

After the arrival of the Coy family, with the startling intelligence of the approach of the treacherous enemy, Dr. Hansford and family joined them, and they all hurried toward the fort. They, however, stopped at Peter Bell's the remainder of the night. The settlers, especially the more timid women, had no trouble in discovering bands of marauding Indians lurking in every grove of timber. Cattle, stumps, trees, and other objects, by their imaginations, were easily converted into Indians. Everybody could see, as one old lady remarked, "whole mountains of Indians any time." The following incident illustrates the verity of this statement; although ludicrous now, if we could realize the real situation of the women it would be quite serious: Mrs. Hansford and Mrs. Lewis, the latter with a little daughter, were returning home late in the afternoon from a neighbor's, where they had been visiting. Coming in sight of one of the forts they saw several wagons there, which they readily conceived were Indians. Indeed they could see hundreds of them slaying the few whites that had reached the place. Mrs. Lewis in agony cried out, "For God's sake, run; I smell the powder!" and, at a speed women . seldom go, they ran for Peter Bell's cabin. They were compelled to pass through a piece of timber, and here they were positive they could see the lurking red-skins on every hand. They never slackened their run until they reached Bell's, who was much diverted at their timidity.

Two young men, Jones and De Hart by name, had pushed away out upon the frontier, and naturally had become accustomed to "roughing it." De Hart, nevertheless, was greatly frightened one day when no danger was near. They had broken ten acres of prairie land in Walnut Grove township, on what was afterward the farm of Amos Ward. While De Hart was plowing with a yoke of oxen, an old Indian squaw came out of the woods and waved a red blanket. This, he surmised, was a signal for him to flee for his life. Accordingly he started immediately for the fort at Henderson, leaving his oxen in the furrow. On hearing it was only a scare, he returned the following day for his team and effects; but left the county and never returned. His experience of border life had been sufficient to convince him that a more civilized community would be as congenial. Several times during the Black Hawk war did the settlers flee to the forts, leaving their homes in such haste that but little preparation could be made. -Rumors were ever rife of the coming of Indians; and as the settlers really expected them, it is no wonder that many believed every rumor afloat.

The faithful Indian Chief, Shaubena, whose portrait appears in this book, was a friend to the white man, and deserves more than a passing notice. Although not so conspicuous as Tecumseh or Black Hawk, yet in point of merit he was superior to either of them. Shaubena was born at an Indian village on the Kankakee river, now in Will county, about the year 1775. While young he was made chief of the band, and went to Shaubena Grove (now in De Kalb county), where they were found in the early settlement of that section. In the war of 1812 Shaubena, with his warriors, joined Tecumseh, was aid to that great chief, and stood by his side when he fell at the battle of the Thames. At the time of the Winnebago war, in 1827, he visited almost every village among the Pottawatomies, and by his persuasive arguments prevented them from taking part in the war. By request of the citizens of Chicago, Shaubena, accompanied by Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), visited Big Foot's village at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, as fears were entertained that they were about to raise the tomahawk against the whites. Here Shaubena was taken prisoner by Big Foot, and his life threatened, but on the following day was set at liberty. From that time the Indians (through reproach) styled him the " white man's friend," and many times his life was endangered.

Before the Black Hawk war Shaubena met with his men in council at two different times, and by his influence prevented his people from taking part with the Sacs and Foxes. After the death of Black Partridge and Senachwine, no chief among the Pottawatomies exerted so much influence as Shaubena. Black Hawk, aware of this influence, visited him at two different times, in order to enlist him in his cause, but was unsuccessful. While Black Hawk was a prisoner at Jefferson Barracks he said, had it not been for Shaubena the whole Pottawatomie nation would have joined his standard, and he could have continued the war for years.

To Shaubena 7iiany of the early settlers of this county owe the 'preservation of their lives, for he was ever on the alert to save the whites. He visited the settlement in the northeast part of the county, telling them if they did not leave they would be killed. John Essex, David Cooper, Thomas Essex, Sr., and Thomas, Jr., with their families, immediately set out for the fort near Pekin. Here they remained until December, when all returned to their homes except Thomas Essex, Jr., who never came back to the county, but moved near Peoria, where he yet lives.

Shaubena, by saving the lives of the whites endangered his own, for the Sacs and Foxes threatened to kill him, and made two attempts to execute their threats. They killed Pypeogee, his son, and Pyps, his nephew, and hunted him down as though he was a wild beast.

Shaubena had a reservation of two sections of land at his grove, but by leaving it and going west for a short time the government declared the reservation forfeited, and sold it the same as other vacant land. Shaubena finding on his return his possessions gone, was very sad and broken down in spirit, and left the grove for ever. The citizens of Ottawa raised money and bought him a tract of land on the Illinois river, above Seneca, in Grundy county, on which they built a house and supplied him with means to live on. He lived here until his death, which occurred on the 17th of July, 1859, in the 81th year of his age, and was buried with great pomp in the cemetery at

Morris. His squaw Pokanoka was drowned in Mazen creek, Grundy county, on the 30th of November, 1864, and was buried by his side. In 1861 subscriptions were taken up in many of the river towns to erect a monument over the remains of Shaubena, but, the war breaking out, the enterprise was abandoned. Only a plain marble slab marks the resting-place of this friend of the white man.

Shaubena often came to the house of John Essex, of Lynn township. He always was very kind to them, and on one occasion brought them a quarter of deer which he had killed himself. In after times when the younger Indians, knowing the popularity of Shaubena with the whites, called for something to eat and were asked whose papooses they were, they would invariably answer Shaubena's, thinking they would certainly get the food then, which they alwa3Ts did.

Shaubena came to William Morris, who lived in Persifer township, and told him if he would go with him to the northeast corner of the township he would show him a silver mine, which was marked by a bie flat rock. Mr. Morris, not knowing that Shaubena was a friend to the whites, was afraid to go, for he thought the Indian wanted to kill him. Finally, in his travels over the country, in company with his wife, he found a bee-tree laded with hone}7. On their way home with their honey they came across the rock Shaubena had told them about. The location and description being as the Chief had defined, he several times after the first visit went in search of the rock, but failed to find it.

During the Black Hawk war two Indians came to Mr. Essex's, when his wife was alone. She was a brave pioneer woman, and ordinarily would have experienced no fear had the number been a dozen; but this time she felt quite timid. She believed them to be spies, which indeed they were, as was subsequently discovered. They were learning the movements of the people, whether or not they were preparing to leave. On their arrival they asked for some potatoes to cook and honey to eat with them as they would gravy.

As referred to above, the Black Hawk war caused no little uneasiness to the Fraker Grove settlement. For two summers the settlers, finding it unsafe to remain there, sought refuge at Henderson fort. The first season, hearing that peace was declared, they returned to their homes about harvesting time. They repeated their journey to the fort the next spring. On their first trip, as they came to Walnut creek they found the stream so greatly swollen by recent rains that they could not cross. While waiting for the water to fall the Indian chief Miximack, who had followed them, came up. He quietly^took his steel, struck fire and lit his pipe. Sullenly he sat smoking.

doubtless musing on the slaughter of whites of this county, which he thought would soon occur. Mrs. Fraker, who also was accustomed to smoking, as many of the pioneer women were, asked him for some fire to light her pipe. On complying witli her request he said, " You'll have plenty of fire by and by." She interpreted this to mean that the Indians engaged in the war would soon give them plenty of fire. This statement frightened her still more. Miximack was a rough, burly Indian, and feared by all the settlers.

The following year the Rangers came to Fraker's settlemeiit and told them to go to the fort. The soldiers remained in the neighborhood that night, and the next day the settlers, before leaving, intended to give them a dinner of chicken; but when they went after them in the morning not a chicken was to be found. The soldiers had doubtless feasted upon chicken without giving the settlers the trouble of serving them.

A few of the Rangers remained and accompanied the people to the fort. Their crops had all been put in, and were growing finely. They returned, however, in time to harvest their small grain. All returned to their homes except Miss Amelia Fraker, now Mrs. James Jackson of La Fayette, Stark county, who remained with friends at Henderson.

The greatest scare ever given the settlers was by young Atwood, son of Mr. Atwood who lived in Warren county. He was in the timber hunting the cows, when, knowing the timidity of the settlers and being, like his father, fond of a joke at others' expense, he conceived the idea of giving the settlers a " big scare." Knowing the people would discredit any statement he might make without other proof than his word, he divested himself of his clothing, hung it on the limb of a tree, and shot several bullet holes through the different garments. In order to show the effects of the bullets on his body, he took a stick and irritated the flesh near, or in range, with the various bullet holes in his clothing, afterward claiming the balls only grazed him. Everything being at length arranged to suit him, he started for home, running at, full speed, and yelling with all his power, " The Indians are coming! The Indians are coming!" Of course the settlers were soon in a great degree of commotion. Men, women and children were starting; nell-mell toward the forts. Consternation was so great among the easily duped and frightened people that nothing was thought of but fleeing from the coming savages and the saving of their lives; so that everything in their homes was consequently left in the greatest haste and most disorderly manner. When

After the surrender of Black Hawk in August, 1832, hostilities ceased. There now being no danger of Indians molesting the settlers, vigorous and active preparations were made and measures inaugurated by them for the improvement of their homes.

In 1833 the quiet and tranquillity into which the pioneers had settled was partially disturbed by the rumor that the Indians were dissatisfied with the treaty they had made, and were resolved upon another war. This report, however, happily proved to be unfounded ; and never since have the rumors of " Indians coming" been heard in Knox county.