Allen Sharp

SHARP, GARDNER, CALLERY

Posted By: Laura Schnabel (email)
Date: 8/15/2009 at 08:37:34

Son of Only Survivor of Spirit Lake Massacre in 1857 is Dead.
Cherokee, Ia., Jan. 17 - Special: The death of Allen Sharp here brings
to mind some early history of northwest Iowa that is of more than passing
interest.
Allen Sharp was the son of Mrs. Abbie Gardner Sharp, the only living
survivor of the famous Spirit Lake massacre.
It was in February 1857, that a band of Sioux Indians passed through
Cherokee, making a friendly stop, and going on west. Just outside the
county, they were stopped by whites, who took their guns from them. This
angered the Sioux, and vowing vengeance they returned toward Cherokee. They
circle around the village for five days, debating what to do with the
people, then finally turned north.
In O'Brien county, they began to burn homes and ravish property in the
most fiendish manner. They grew more bloodthirsty until Spirit Lake was
reached where they killed over forty people, and took prisoners four girls,
among whom was Mrs. Sharp, then a girl 14 years old. Two of the captives
died, but Miss Gardner and another lady were rescued a few months later.
The log cabin that supplied a home for the Sharp family in those times
is still standing at Pillsbury's Point on Lake Okoboji and Mrs. Sharp keeps
in the cottage numerous relics of by-gone days, which she exhibits to
visitors. This was Allen Sharp's home until he was brought to the hospital
here a few days ago. he was about 50 years old.- R. & T.

Allen Sharp was married to Anna Callery, Feb 2, 1901,of Storm Lake Iowa.