[43] “Ottawa Journal,” August 30, 1906; “Bureau County Republican,” August 30, 1906; XII., “Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society,” p. 339. CHAPTER XIV. SHABONA[44]. [44] This chief’s name is spelled in many different ways, to-wit: “Sha-bom-ri,” in Smith’s History of Wisconsin; “Shah-bee-nay,” by Mrs. Kinzie in Wau-Bun; “Shaubena,” by Matson; “Shau-be-nee,” by Kingston; “Chab-on-eh,” “Shab-eh-ney,” “Shabonee,” and “Shaubena,” in the Appleton’s Encyclopedia of American Biographies, and on his tombstone his name is spelled “Shabona”. In Illinois, places named after him are spelled Shabbona and Shabonier, the latter being the French spelling. As Mr. Smith, Mrs. Kinzie, Mr. Matson, and Mr. Kingston, knew Shabona well, the weight of evidence seems to be in favor of spelling his name Shaubena, which is in accordance with the spelling of Indian words. The second _b_ is not heard in the usual pronounciation of “Shabbona” (Shab‘-eh-ney), and it causes strangers to mispronounce the name. Even the word “Sac”, is usually pronounced Sauk, and is generally spelled Sauk. Very many Indian names have the diphthong _au_ as shown by names of rivers and places. Consequently, it would seem that the first syllable should be spelled S-h-a-u-b. The story of the Hall girls’ adventures would not be properly finished without some further mention of Chief Shabona. Probably no other Indian in the West knew more white people, individually, than he knew; also, he was known at sight to more white people than was any other chief of his time. His name was so familiar among the whites, that its mere mention was a safe passport to any home of the settlers. Shabona was well aware of that fact and he always introduced himself as “Mr. Shabona.” Baldwin says that Shabona was born in Canada; but Matson asserts that he was born on the Kankakee in Will County, Illinois; and the “Handbook of American Indians” gives Maumee River, Illinois, as his birthplace. This contention of many countries as the place of Shabona’s birth, proves the greatness of the man. Argos, Rhodes, Smyrna, Chios, Colophon, and several other cities, claim to be the birthplace of Homer; and Scotland, England, Wales, and Brittany, of St. Patrick. Authors agree that Shabona was born in 1775 and dwelt at Shabona’s Grove for fifty years. He was a grand-nephew of Pontiac and his father who was an Ottawa chief, fought under Pontiac. Shabona was six feet tall, erect, and weighed over two hundred pounds. During the wars of 1812, 1827 and 1832, Shabona rendered great services to the white people by saving the lives of many of them who were taken captives by the Indians, and by protecting the home of John Kinzie and his friends during the Chicago massacre. However, with his tribe he joined in the border war against the whites and fought beside Tecumseh when he fell at the battle of the Thames. That was the last time that Shabona raised a hand against the white people.