Hatheway, Simmeon

HATHEWAY, WYCKOFF

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 6/17/2024 at 15:06:16

Source: Herald-Leader Bellevue, Iowa 30 Nov 1978
(My husband's mother was adopted by Viola and Ab Hatheway.)

Settler Aided Midnight Birth
by Elsie Eggers

Editor's note: This story is a continuation of an article that appeared in last week's newspaper, dealing with Simmeon and Eunice Hatheway, early settlers in the area.)

When the Hatheways arrived here in 1852, they found Indians still camping along the stream of their eastern Iowa home.
The same had been true when Colonel R. B. Wyckoff had arrived in September of 1838. He and his family had settled in Van Buren Township where about 100 members of the Sac and Fox Indian tribe camped along the small grove near their home on Copper Creek.
Colonel Wycoff visited the Indians frequently as a few of them could speak English.
Years later, the Indians camped along the stream north of the Hatheway home which abounded in trees, especially willows.
During the summer, the Indians erected their tepees there, fished from the stream and hunted the land for animals.
With the twigs and branches of the willow tree they wove baskets for carrying food and gathering eggs. Many of these baskets were sold to settlers.
Frequently, the Indians would gather on the Hatheway lawn where Eunice read to them from the Bible and taught them English.
One summer, when about 100 of the Indians were camped along the river, the Hatheways noticed that the tribe members were staying longer into the season than usual.
One fall night, long after the family had retired for the evening, there came a knock on the door.
Upon answering the door, Simmeon found an Indian standing in the rays of the lamplight.
The young Indian indicated that he needed help at his tepee and wanted Eunice to follow him.
Simmeon was reluctant to have his wife go and said, if she went, he would also go. The Indian did not seem to agree with this and Eunice assured her husband that she was not afraid and was willing to go alone.
When she left with the Indian, Eunice took her Bible, a medical book and kit and a lantern.
At the tepee, Eunice assisted the Indian's wife in delivering a healthy baby. Before leaving, she christened the infant.
By midnight, she was on her way home.
Arising early the next morning, Eunice went to check on the newborn, but found that the Indians had broken camp and were headed westward to their winter reservation.
She watched the tribe members as they made their way to the crest of a hill and, among the many ponies and travoises being pulled by the Indian women, she finally spotted the young mother and child.
Before disappearing, the Indians stopped and looked back to wave to Eunice who responded.
According to reports, this was the last year that the Indians came to the area.