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THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
the head of the rapids, where the town of Le Claire is now located, as a gift to Mr. Le Claire. In the treaty of Prairie du Chien Mr. Le Claire was presented with two more sections in Illinois. On this reserve the thriving little city of Moline is now partly situated.
Mr. Le Claire served as interpreter in a number of other important treaties, including the following: that with the Great and Little Osages at St. Louis, and with the Kansas tribe at the same place, in 1825; with the Chippewas at Prairie du Chien, the same year; with the Winnebagoes, at the same place, in August of that year; with the Sacs and Foxes, at Washington, in 1836, and also the treaty with the same tribes, in 1837, and the treaty at the Sac
and Fox agency, in Iowa, in 1842. Mr. Le Claire was not only familiar with the various dialects of the Indian tribes, but could speak and write with ease both the French and English languages.
With the development of the country which he had seen as a wilderness, Mr. Le Claire became possessed of large means. He was one of the founders of the city of Davenport, and always contributed liberally to every enterprise tending to promote its growth and prosperity. In religious faith he lived and died a devoted Roman Catholic, and contributed liberally toward erecting and sustaining three churches of that creed in the city, one of them being almost wholly built, and for a time supported by him. He died September 25, 1861, at the age of nearly sixty-four years.
DR. SAMUEL C. MUIR.
Dr. Samuel C. Muir was a native of Scotland, who had been educated at the University of Edinburgh, and after
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PERSONAL SKETCHES.
graduating for the practice of the medical profession, emigrated to the United States while still a young man. He soon after proffered his services as surgeon in the army, and was received. The regiment to which he was attached was assigned to duty on the frontier. While thus engaged a mutual attachment was formed between the young surgeon and a damsel of the Sac tribe. In due time they assumed the relations of husband and wife. Five children were born to them--Louisa, James, Mary, Sophia and Samuel. Dr. Muir was devotedly attached to his family, and his wife and children were accustomed to accompany him on all occasions when duty required him to change his location. During his engagements in the service, and while stationed at Fort Edwards, the war department issued an order that all officers and attaches at military posts on the frontier should at once abandon and refuse to harbor any and all Indian females resorting around such military posts. This order of course presented to Dr. Muir the alternative of abondoning his Indian wife or resigning his position. He did not hesitate, but at once tendered his resignation. Before it was accepted many flattering inducements were offered to him by his associates to abandon his Indian wife, and remain in the service. To these entreaties he replied by holding up his first-born babe, and exclaiming: "May God forbid that a son of Caledonia should ever desert his child, or disown his clan!"
Dr. Muir may be regarded as the founder of Keokuk for he erected a cabin on the site of that city as early as 1820. The place was then known by the Indian name Puck-e-she-tuck (Foot of the Falls). After his resignation from the army he practiced his profession for several years
