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THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
United States five millions acres in the southern part of Michigan, reserving, however, four hundred and eighty four square miles for themselves. In 1833, they ceded the rest of their lands on the western shore of Lake Michigan, in exchange for five millions of acres in the west, and in consideration of the payment of very large annuities and other allowances by the United States. This treaty was not ratified until February 21st, 1835.
Another prominent man among the Pottawattamies was a half-breed whose Indian name was Sau-ga nash (The Englishman), but known in civilized life as "Billy Caldwell." He was a son of an Irish colonel, named Caldwell, in the British army stationed upon the frontier at Detroit, his mother being a woman of the Pottawattamie tribe. By some means he acquired some education, and could speak, read and write the English language. During the active career of the celebrated chief Tecumseh he was that chief's constant friend and companion, and for a time acted as his private secretary. Sau-ga-nash, and Sha-bo-nee were Tecumseh's aids at the battle of the Thames. When the Americans made the attack the three were seated upon a log in consultation. Sha-bo-nee also became a prominent man among the Pottawattamies. Both of these aids were near Tecumseh when he was killed in that battle. Sauga-nash was promoted to the rank of a captain in the British army, in 1812. In an address delivered by Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, some years ago, is a letter from Sau-ga-nash, dated Amhurstburg, Canada, August 1, 1816, in which he signs himself "Billy Caldwell, Captain in the Indian Department of the British army."
In 1825, and for several years thereafter, we find "Billy
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THE POTTAWATTAMIES.
Caldwell" the most noted character among the Pottawattamies in and about Chicago. Although acting as a chief of the Pottawattamies, holding a captain's commission in the British army, and owing allegiance to that government, in 1825 he actually voted in Chicago, when it was a part of Peoria county. He was appointed a justice of the peace for "Chicago, in Peoria county," April 18, 1826. Surely a wonderful man was this "Billy Caldwell," for he was "Captain Caldwell, of the British army; Squire Caldwell, of the State of Illinois, and Sau-ga-nash, chief of the Pottawattamies."
In 1831, a hotel kept in Chicago by Mark Beaubien, was named the "Sau-ga-nash Hotel," in honor of "Billy Caldwell." Mr. Beaubien, whose death occurred at Kankakee, Illinois, April 12, 1881, was himself a half-breed of French and Indian extraction, his mother being a Pottawattamie. Sau-ga-nash spent much of his time at Mr. Beaubien's hotel up to the removal of his tribe west. Two other noted chiefs of the tribe--Sha-bo-nee, above mentioned, and Check-e-pin-que, were also frequent visitors of the "Sau-ga-nash Hotel." The latter was known among the whites as " Robinson." He was also with Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames.
Rev. John M. Peck, in "Western Annals," mentions the fact that he held a conversation with "Billy Caldwell" in Chicago, in 1833, in which the latter stated that a few days before the battle of the Thames Tecumseh held a private council with his chiefs, and suggested that if the British army did not act with more energy, he would join the Americans with all his forces, that being, as he then believed, the most likely way of securing the rights of the Indians.
