Native American Tribes Mentioned in Newspapers

Chippewas

Death of Kishkauko
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 28, 1826
Detroit, May 25

This celebrated chief of the Chippewas was found dead in one of the cells of the prison of this city on Wednesday last. He was confined on a charge of being accessory to the murder of a Saginaw Indian in this place in January last. His eldest son still occupies one of the cells under the charge of being the murderer of the Indian alluded to. An inquest was held on the body of Kishkauko and the jurors returned a verdict that he died a natural death. But little doubt, however, remains from what has since been ascertained – that he died by poison procured at his own request by one of his wives.

It is stated that on the evening previous to his death, he was visited by this women who handed him a small cup and then left the cell. That soon after a number of his family and the band of which he was the immediate head, called upon hem, held a long conference and took leave with a solemnity, earnestness and affection never observed in their previous visits. Kishkauko then requested the jailer to visit him with whom he shook hands affectionately, thanked him and concluded by asking him for some liquor which he had never been known to do before. In the morning at an early hour, a number of his family, men and women, appeared at the jail and requested to see Kishkauko. On approaching the door of the cell, they called his name two or three times and finding him lifeless, they expressed exultation rather than surprise and immediately left town for Saginaw. A few remained to perform the ceremonies of his funeral which took place by moonlight at a farm near this city.

Thus has perished one of the most despotic and influential savage monarchs of modern times. He had risen by the force of his own character from a humble origin to the head of a numerous and powerful Chippewas family. Kishkauko was a man of very large stature, muscular and athletic and his countenance exhibited the peculiar traits of his character – sternness, acuteness and decision. His history, like that of other warriors is marked with many atrocious murders; but he had the virtues also of the savage. No man went from his door naked or hungry when it was in his power to supply him. But his acts of tyranny rendered him unpopular among his own people and he never appeared abroad without a considerable retinue. He was scarcely ever seen in town without his war-axe resting on his left arm, firmly grasped with his right hand. – Gazette.
Submitted by N. Piper

Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 14, 1826
Washington, June 5
We learn that Gov. Cass and Col. Thos. L. McKenney of Georgetown, have been appointed joint Commissioners to hold General Councils with certain Indian tribes at Green Bay and Lake Superior; and that the later gentleman left here last Thursday for the Lakes.

This expedition is esteemed to be one of considerable importance. The Indians in those remote regions, have been for ages at war with one another and on this point certain provisions in the Treaty of Prairie du Chien of last year are intended to be presented for a more general ratification. The power of the Government is intended to be displayed as the Indians in those parts have no knowledge of and but little belief in our strength and for this object, the disposable force at Fort Brady at the Saut of St. Marie, has been put in requisition to accompany the Commissioners and to cooperate with them. It is intended, we learn, to demand the surrender of the murderers fo some of our citizens who had been given up but afterwards broke jail at Michilimackinac, and took refuge among their People and in the fastnesses of their Lake and Forest home. This measure is deemed to be the more important as owing no doubt to the security which has so far followed their escape, an entire family has been recently murdered near Prairie du Chien.

The effects of such an expedition properly conducted cannot but prove useful as a shield against future aggressions of the sort, besides the acquiescence of entire tribes not present or represented only partially at Prairie du Chien in the pacification assented to by the General Council at that place last year. We hope the Commissioners may succeed in establishing the peace of that frontier and in establishing permanent useful regulations for the control and welfare of those tribes and the security of our citizens.

We learn also that Governors Cass and Ray and General Tipton have been appointed joint Commissioners to treat with the Indians in Indiana; and that Gen. William Clark, Gen. Thomas Hinds and Gen. John Coffee, have been appointed to negotiate treaties with the Chickasaws and Choctaws.

Appropriations for all those objects were made by the Congress at the close of the late session. – Nat. Intel.
Submitted by N. Piper

Indians of Lake Superior
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 28, 1826
Detroit, May 24.
We understand that Governor Cass has received dispatches from Mr. Schoolcraft, the Indian agent at the Sault de Ste Marie communicating intelligence of the existence of a refractory disposition among the bands of Chippewas residing in the country situated between Lake Superios, the Quisconsin and Mississippi rivers, with the exception of the Indians inhabiting the Turtle village, Lac des Flambeaux and Squirrel Lake, whose sentiments remain pacific. Mr. Schoolcraft does not hesitate to call the others “hostile Chippewas.” It will be recollected that in one of our former numbers we made reference to the cruel murder of a number of our citizens on Lake Pepin by a war party of the Chippewas. Little Thunder and White Head, who were the chiefs of the party and a number of other Indians of inferior note were delivered up and confined in the gaol of Mackinac from which they escaped last fall. Returning to their bands, they have succeeded in creating a strong excitement in their favor. Secret councils have been held from which the traders have been excluded and the young men whose relations were prisoners, hold hostile language. The traders feel themselves insecure and are of opinion that the Indians themselves will not deliver up the murderers and that force will be required not only to effect that object but to protect the traders and those Indians whose disposition is friendly. – Michigan Herald.
Submitted by N. Piper

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	Chippewas

	Death of Kishkauko Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 28, 1826 Detroit, May 25 This celebrated chief of the Chippewas was found dead in one of the cells of the prison of this city on Wednesday last. He was confined on a charge of being accessory to the murder of a Saginaw Indian in this place in January last. His eldest son still occupies one of the cells under the charge of being the murderer of the Indian alluded to. An inquest was held on the body of Kishkauko and the jurors returned a verdict that he died a natural death. But little doubt, however, remains from what has since been ascertained – that he died by poison procured at his own request by one of his wives. It is stated that on the evening previous to his death, he was visited by this women who handed him a small cup and then left the cell. That soon after a number of his family and the band of which he was the immediate head, called upon hem, held a long conference and took leave with a solemnity, earnestness and affection never observed in their previous visits. Kishkauko then requested the jailer to visit him with whom he shook hands affectionately, thanked him and concluded by asking him for some liquor which he had never been known to do before. In the morning at an early hour, a number of his family, men and women, appeared at the jail and requested to see Kishkauko. On approaching the door of the cell, they called his name two or three times and finding him lifeless, they expressed exultation rather than surprise and immediately left town for Saginaw. A few remained to perform the ceremonies of his funeral which took place by moonlight at a farm near this city. Thus has perished one of the most despotic and influential savage monarchs of modern times. He had risen by the force of his own character from a humble origin to the head of a numerous and powerful Chippewas family. Kishkauko was a man of very large stature, muscular and athletic and his countenance exhibited the peculiar traits of his character – sternness, acuteness and decision. His history, like that of other warriors is marked with many atrocious murders; but he had the virtues also of the savage. No man went from his door naked or hungry when it was in his power to supply him. But his acts of tyranny rendered him unpopular among his own people and he never appeared abroad without a considerable retinue. He was scarcely ever seen in town without his war-axe resting on his left arm, firmly grasped with his right hand. – Gazette. Submitted by N. Piper
	Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 14, 1826 Washington, June 5 We learn that Gov. Cass and Col. Thos. L. McKenney of Georgetown, have been appointed joint Commissioners to hold General Councils with certain Indian tribes at Green Bay and Lake Superior; and that the later gentleman left here last Thursday for the Lakes. This expedition is esteemed to be one of considerable importance. The Indians in those remote regions, have been for ages at war with one another and on this point certain provisions in the Treaty of Prairie du Chien of last year are intended to be presented for a more general ratification. The power of the Government is intended to be displayed as the Indians in those parts have no knowledge of and but little belief in our strength and for this object, the disposable force at Fort Brady at the Saut of St. Marie, has been put in requisition to accompany the Commissioners and to cooperate with them. It is intended, we learn, to demand the surrender of the murderers fo some of our citizens who had been given up but afterwards broke jail at Michilimackinac, and took refuge among their People and in the fastnesses of their Lake and Forest home. This measure is deemed to be the more important as owing no doubt to the security which has so far followed their escape, an entire family has been recently murdered near Prairie du Chien. The effects of such an expedition properly conducted cannot but prove useful as a shield against future aggressions of the sort, besides the acquiescence of entire tribes not present or represented only partially at Prairie du Chien in the pacification assented to by the General Council at that place last year. We hope the Commissioners may succeed in establishing the peace of that frontier and in establishing permanent useful regulations for the control and welfare of those tribes and the security of our citizens. We learn also that Governors Cass and Ray and General Tipton have been appointed joint Commissioners to treat with the Indians in Indiana; and that Gen. William Clark, Gen. Thomas Hinds and Gen. John Coffee, have been appointed to negotiate treaties with the Chickasaws and Choctaws. Appropriations for all those objects were made by the Congress at the close of the late session. – Nat. Intel. Submitted by N. Piper
	Indians of Lake Superior Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 28, 1826 Detroit, May 24. We understand that Governor Cass has received dispatches from Mr. Schoolcraft, the Indian agent at the Sault de Ste Marie communicating intelligence of the existence of a refractory disposition among the bands of Chippewas residing in the country situated between Lake Superios, the Quisconsin and Mississippi rivers, with the exception of the Indians inhabiting the Turtle village, Lac des Flambeaux and Squirrel Lake, whose sentiments remain pacific. Mr. Schoolcraft does not hesitate to call the others “hostile Chippewas.” It will be recollected that in one of our former numbers we made reference to the cruel murder of a number of our citizens on Lake Pepin by a war party of the Chippewas. Little Thunder and White Head, who were the chiefs of the party and a number of other Indians of inferior note were delivered up and confined in the gaol of Mackinac from which they escaped last fall. Returning to their bands, they have succeeded in creating a strong excitement in their favor. Secret councils have been held from which the traders have been excluded and the young men whose relations were prisoners, hold hostile language. The traders feel themselves insecure and are of opinion that the Indians themselves will not deliver up the murderers and that force will be required not only to effect that object but to protect the traders and those Indians whose disposition is friendly. – Michigan Herald. Submitted by N. Piper
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