Page 260
THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
Keokuk, Wapello and Appanoose had removed to the Des Moines. Colonel Trowbridge, a pioneer of Johnson county, who knew him personally, speaks of him as a noble specimen of the American savage. Truthfulness and a sense of justice seemed to be leading qualities of his mind. His word was sacred, and a favor he always remembered with gratitude. He was slow to arouse to active work, but when fully aroused was a man of energy and power. He was born at one of the Fox villages on Iowa soil about the year 1797. He became a man of large stature, his weight being not less than two hundred and fifty pounds.
As illustrating the manner in which Poweshiek governed his tribe and administered justice, Colonel Trowbridge relates an incident. One summer a horse had strayed, or been stolen from a remote neighborhood. The owner pursued the trail to a point near the Fox villages, but could then get no further clue. He suspected, however, that his property was in the possession of the Indians. He called upon Poweshiek early one morning and stated his case. The chief, through his interpreter, promised to investigate the matter. He immediately issued an order that no person should leave the village until further ordered. No one left, or dared go. The owner of the horse described the animal, and was then sent through the camp with an escort, in search of it. The missing property was soon fonnd and pointed out. The avowed Indian owner could give no satisfactory explanation of his ownership. The white man was directed by Poweshiek to take his horse, and the Indian to pay him for his trouble and expense, the amount being assessed upon the culprit's share of the next annuity from the government. In this way was the thief punished
Page 261
MINOR SAC AND FOX CHIEFS AND BRAVES.
for his dishonesty. Had the encampment or village been walled in, or sentinels posted, it would not have been more secure in retaining every Indian at home until the search was completed, than it was made by the imperious command of Poweshiek to his people.
In May, 1838, when General Street organized a party for the purpose of examining the country with a view of selecting a site for the Sac and Fox agency on the Des Moines, the expedition was accompanied by about thirty braves under the command of Poweshiek. After leaving their reservation on the Iowa River these men were very fearful they might be surprised and cut off by their ancient enemy, the Sioux, but Poweshiek remained undaunted in the discharge of his duty, and when the purpose of the expedition was accomplished, led his men safely back to their villages on Iowa River.
As the Sacs and Foxes moved westward Poweshiek moved with them, and from 1843 to 1845 made his home chiefly in the vicinity of the present city of Des Moines. He then went south with his people, and for a time encamped on Grand River, not far from the settlements of northern Missouri. There his people had some difficulty with the settlers, and for a time there was every indication of bloodshed. Rumors of these troubles reached Fort Des Moines, and several white men, among whom were J. B. Scott, Hamilton Thrift and Dr. Campbell, who were all intimately acquainted with Poweshiek, are reported as having immediately mounted their horses and proceeded to the Indian encampment on Grand River. When they arrived they found the village presenting a warlike appearance. This was during the winter of 1845-6. As friends, they held
