When Illinois became a State, in 1818, hundreds of emigrants flocked thither. They came so fast that their settlements surrounded the territory occupied by the Sacs and Foxes. Trouble is sure to come when such a state of affairs exists. The Indians looked upon the white people as intruders--as they certainly were--while the new comers were anxious to be rid of their unwelcome neighbors, and did all they could to make their situation uncomfortable. They thought that by doing this, they would force the Indians to "pull up stakes" and go elsewhere. But the true owners stayed where they were. When they were absent on a hunt, the settlers tore down the fences and turned the Indians' cattle into their cornfields, whose crops were trampled and destroyed. In 1827, during another absence of the warriors and their families, some miscreants set fire to their village and nearly fifty houses were laid in ashes. [Illustration: AN INDIAN CATTLE RAID] Two months after these events, General Atkinson entered the Winnebago country with a military force and captured the chief and six Winnebagoes who were thrown into prison until they could be tried. The chief died in jail. After a long time four were found guilty and two acquitted, the former being sentenced to be hanged. Black Hawk was accused of being one of the party who fired on the keel boats, but was set free for lack of evidence. Not long afterward, when all danger was past, he confessed that he was guilty as charged. Several shameful acts against the Indians were perpetrated by the whites about this time. In one instance several settlers, claiming that they had been ill-used, fell upon Black Hawk and beat him unmercifully. The indignity, added to other wrongs, led him to determine upon war against the whites. He had been promised help by other tribes, but when he called upon them, nearly all refused to give the slightest aid. He convinced Keokuk that he had made a great mistake in parting with the lands, and that chief promised to do what he could to get them back. Black Hawk said he would let the whites have all the valuable lead mines, on condition that they were allowed to stay in their village and till their cornfields, where, according to tradition, one of their villages had stood for nearly two centuries. So sure were the Sacs that their wishes would be granted, that they went on their usual fall hunt in 1830. When they came back, they found that the whites had moved in, and taken possession of every wigwam and lodge. The Sacs were upon the banks of the Mississippi, without shelter for their squaws and children. No wonder that they felt the wrong was beyond bearing.