Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/139



once and powerful and warlike tribes became listless and enervated, losing the energetic characteristics which distinguished them in former times. The excitement of war and the chase having long ago died out in their changed environment, they became degenerate, intemperate and lazy.

Keokuk, or “the Watchful Fox,” was born in the Rock River Valley in 1780. He was not a hereditary chief of the Sacs, but attained that position by bravery in battle with the Sioux, when a young man. When Black Hawk had determined to resist the occupation of the lands which certain chiefs had sold to the United Stares without his consent in 1804, Keokuk was the leader of the peace party. He was wily, shrewd, ambitious, selfish and avaricious. He knew that his race could not successfully war with the United States and he determined to submit to the demands, surrender the homes on the east side of the river and make the best terms possible for himself. He saw the opportunity to eventually supplant Black Hawk by becoming the leader of a peace party and thus secure influence and assistance of the whites in his ambitious plans. He was a most eloquent public speaker and used his oratory with great effect. While the warriors of the united tribes were disposed to fight for their homes under Black Hawk, Keokuk by shrewd diplomacy won a majority to his peace policy. Upon one occasion when the war spirit was running high he called his followers together and addressed them thus:

“Warriors: I am your chief. It is my duty to lead you to war if you are determined to go. The United States is a great nation and unless we conquer them us must perish. I will lead you against the whites on one condition, that is that we shall first put all our women and children to death, and then resolve that when we cross the Mississippi we will never retreat, but perish among the graves of our fathers rather than yield to the white men.”

His warriors after listening to the desperate proposal, hesitated and finally determined to yield to the greatly