KNOXVILLE MAN NEW BLACK HAWK -- ELDER REED

REED, GALLOWAY

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 12/9/2004 at 13:07:22

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, December 27, 1906

Knoxville, IA., Dec. 25. -- Elder REED of this city, now nearing his
ninety-first birthday anniversary, has just compiled his reminiscenses of
Black Hawk, the famous Indian chief. It is almost certain that the
venerable MR. REED is the only living man who knew the leaer of the Sacs and
Fox. The substance of his memoir is as follows:

"At the early date of the winter of 1837 he lived near the border of the
Half Breed Lands, and also near Fort Madison. To these lands the Indians
resorted to spend the winter and to be near supplies. The elder REED's home
was near the border of these, and almost in sight of Black Hawk's wigwam. He
further affirms that he is the only white now living who has entertained the
old chief at his own home. He had visited the Black Hawk wigwams and seen
the eleven big leather trunks, which were doubtless gifts from Washington
and other large cities of which they were guests by edict of the national
government.

"On their final return to their people in Iowa, they came well laden with
rich spoils; the old chief himself having a fine broad-cloth suit and silk
hat, and whenever he went abroad or mingled with the whites he donned his
official robes. But the poor old chief was no longer chief of his nation.
The United States government deemed it wise to punish him by giving the
chief command to Keokuk, who was a subordinate. Keokuk was a noble Indian,
a man of peace, and friendly to the whites. He was opposed to Black Hawk's
murderous war on the white settlers. Between Keokuk and Dr. Galloway, a
sort of agent, there grew up a David and Jonathan love that endured to the
end. Keokuk's dying request was to be buried by the side of his friend Dr.
Galloway.

Black Hawk was a small man, but every inch of him was a warrior; his wife
was an Indian-French mixture, and much above the average in good looks. On
one occasion the Elder REED was at their wigwam and maple sugar making was
just on, and Mrs. Black Hawk gave him a mold of sugar to take home.

"The Elder REED only knew of two sons and one daughter. The elder, Tom, as
known to the whites, was budded as 'Bad Indian,' and never mingled with the
white settlers. The second son, Nashsheashkuk, the Elder REED says, was his
ideal of a perfect physical man. He was handsome, well disposed and of more
than ordinary intelligence. Nauasia, the daughter, and youngest was a real
princess, tall and slender, beautiful and supple, quick as a flash, with
that native grace so rare and yet so bewitching. It is related by the Elder
REED that when a party or dance occurred in the village or settlement it was
a race between the young beaux who should secure Nauasia first for partner;
and in the dance she could jump like a gazelle. And it is further related
that she became involved in a romance that well-nigh broke her heart.

"Wealthy parents in the east sent their son to the west to put on a little
more ruggedness, and he met and fell a victim to Nauasia's witchery,
resulting in an engagement. The parents, however, getting a hint of the
situation, called him home at once."
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
November 20, 2004
iggy29@rnetinc.net