The Chicago Massacre of 1812: With Illustrations and Historical DocumentsKirkland, Joseph
History
The Chicago Massacre of 1812: With Illustrations and Historical Documents
Kirkland, Joseph
Chicago (Ill.) -- History; Fort Dearborn Massacre, Chicago, Ill., 1812
Captain William Wells was acting Indian Agent and Justice of the
Peace at Port Wayne at the time he married my father and mother, and
was considered a remarkably brave and resolute man. I will give you a
sketch of one of his feats as told me by my mother, who was present
and witnessed it all. The Indians were collected at Fort Wayne on
the way for the purpose of meeting the Miamis and other Indians in
council. While camped there they invited the officers of the fort to
come out and witness a grand dance, and other performances, previous
to their departure for the Indian conference. Wells advised the
commander of the fort not to go, as he did not like the actions of
the Indians; but his advice was overruled, and all hands went out,
including the officers' ladies. But the troops in the fort were on
the alert, their guns were loaded and sentries were doubled, as it
was in the evening. A very large tent was provided for the purpose
of the grand dance. After many preliminary dances and talks, a large
and powerful chief arose and commenced his dance around the ring, and
made many flourishes with his tomahawk. Then he came up to Wells, who
stood next my mother, and spoke in Indian and made demonstrations
with his tomahawk that looked dangerous, and then took his seat.
But no sooner than he did so Wells gave one of the most unearthly
war-whoops she ever heard, and sprang up into the air as high as her
head, and picked up the jaw bone of a horse or ox that lay near by,
and went around the ring in a more vigorous and artistic Indian style
than had been seen that evening; and wound up by going up to the big
Indian and flourishing his jaw-bone, and told him that he had killed
more Indians than white men, and had killed one that looked just like
him, and he believed it was his brother, only much better looking
and a better brave than he was. The Indians were perfectly taken by
surprise. Wells turned to the officers and told them to be going.
He hurried them off to the fort, and had all hands on the alert
during the night. When questioned as to his action and what he said,
he replied that he had told the Indians what I have related. Then
he enquired of those present if they did not see that the Indians
standing on the opposite side of the tent had their rifles wrapped up
in their blankets.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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