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THE RED MEN OF IOWA.
with it prostrated two or three of the savages, and released his father. On regaining his feet, Wilson seized an ax which he had lost hold of in the first encounter, and struck one of the assailants, inflicting a mortal wound. This seemed to confuse the other Indians, and Wilson, taking advantage of the moment, raised the "Wild Cat Yell," at the same time calling on his sons to fight. At this the savages were so terrified that they hastily took up their wounded companion and fled as if panic-stricken. The wounded Indian soon after died.
A few days subsequent to this fight a large force of the Indians collected in the vicinity of Wilson's cabin, with the evident purpose of taking revenge. During the interval, however, Wilson and his sons were reinforced by several other settlers, and fortified themselves in one of the cabins. The Indians hovered around their place of refuge one whole day, but made no attack. In the meantime the besieged party sent a messenger to Mr. Le Claire and Colonel Davenport, at Rock Island, advising them of the conduct of the lndians. These men, who always had great influence over the Indians, advised them not to cross the lands of "Old Wild Cat," at the same time impressing them with the idea that he was a great "brave," who would not hesitate to kill and scalp any Indian who crossed his lands. After this they made a new trail, passing north of Wilson's claim.
In the autumn of 1840, Wilson and his son Samuel were on a hunting and trapping expedition toward the north, where they encroached upon the "Neutral Ground," then occupied by the Winnebagoes. A party of about thirty of these Indians came upon them and robbed them
of their team and all they possessed, except a scant supply of clothing. A number of years after this event Mr. Wilson died near Moscow, on Cedar River.
RESCUING A DROWNING MAN
The following incident is related as occurring at the old trading-post of the American Fur Company, on the Wapsipinicon River, in Clinton county, about the year 1836. Judge Ingals, of St. Louis, was on his way to Dubuque. When he arrived on horseback at the trading-post, the river was swollen and the canoe out of order. Desiring to cross and proceed on his way, he concluded to divest himself of all his clothing except his drawers, and swim the stream. He tied his clothing to the saddle, and the horse swam over safely. The judge then made the attempt, but became entangled in his drawers and went down. There were only three spectators on the opposite bank, one of whom was an Indian. The Indian being a good swimmer, was asked to save the drowning man. He ran confusedly up and down the bank, till all supposed the judge was drowned. He then sprang in and brought him to shore, where, with great exertion the man was restored. The Indian being asked why he did not go sooner, replied: "When white Man alive he drown Indian; when dead, Indian bring him out easy."
HOW THREE WOMEN DEFENDED THEMSELVES
James M. Bowling was one of the pioneers of Buffalo township, Scott county, where he settled in 1835. As late as 1837, some five hundred Sacs and Foxes still remained in that vicinity, and were exceedingly troublesome to the
