Without the unflagging interest and the tireless enthusiasm and encouragement of Dr. Benj. F. Shambaugh the more than four years of research involved in this work would never have been undertaken or carried through to its close. To many others the author also feels himself obligated for invaluable assistance. Among these may be noted Curator E. R. Harlan, Librarian Alice Marple, Assistant Editor Ida M. Huntington, and Superintendent of Archives C. C. Stiles, all of the Historical Department of Iowa. Dr. Dan E. Clark, Associate Editor in The State Historical Society of Iowa, assisted in editing and verifying the manuscript; and to him the author is indebted for the index. THOMAS TEAKLE THE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL DES MOINES IOWA CONTENTS I. THE ADVANCING FRONTIER 1 II. INDIAN WRONGS AND DISCONTENT 9 III. THE UNPROTECTED FRONTIER 17 IV. THE GRINDSTONE WAR AND THE DEATH OF SIDOMINADOTA 26 V. THE FRONTIER AND THE WINTER OF 1856-1857 37 VI. OKOBOJI AND SPRINGFIELD IN MARCH 1857 44 VII. THE JOURNEY EAST FOR SUPPLIES 59 VIII. THE INKPADUTA BAND 63 IX. INKPADUTA SEEKS REVENGE 72 X. THE SMITHLAND INCIDENT 78 XI. FROM SMITHLAND TO OKOBOJI 84 XII. THE FIRST DAY OF THE MASSACRE 94 XIII. THE SECOND DAY OF THE MASSACRE 108 XIV. FROM OKOBOJI TO HERON LAKE 113 XV. NEWS OF MASSACRE REACHES SPRINGFIELD AND FORT RIDGELY 122 XVI. RELIEF SENT FROM FORT RIDGELY 128 XVII. PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENSE AT SPRINGFIELD 132 XVIII. INKPADUTA ATTACKS SPRINGFIELD 138 XIX. THE SETTLERS FLEE FROM SPRINGFIELD 147 XX. RELIEF ARRIVES FROM FORT RIDGELY 153 XXI. ORGANIZATION OF RELIEF AT FORT DODGE AND WEBSTER CITY 159 XXII. THE MARCH FROM FORT DODGE TO MEDIUM LAKE 170 XXIII. FROM MEDIUM LAKE TO GRANGER’S POINT 182 XXIV. THE BURIAL DETAIL 192 XXV. RETURN OF THE RELIEF EXPEDITION 206 XXVI. THE DEATH OF MRS. THATCHER 215 XXVII. THE RANSOM OF MRS. MARBLE 225 XXVIII. THE DEATH OF MRS. NOBLE AND THE RANSOM OF ABBIE GARDNER 232 XXIX. PURSUIT AND PUNISHMENT OF INKPADUTA 245