ions, and the whole nations were obliged to share in the dispute. They are also in fear of a war from the Pawnees whose village they entered this summer, while the inhabitants were hunting, and stole their corn. This ingenuous confession did not make us less desirous of negotiating a peace for them. no Indians have as yet been attracted by our fire. The evening was closed by a dance. But August 19.-The chiefs and warriers being assembled at 10 o'clock, we renewed our advice. All replied in turn, and the presents were then distributed. The names of these warriors, besides those mentioned, were of the MissourisKarkapaha or Crow's Head, Nenasawa or Black Cat; of the Ottoes-Sananona or Iron Eyes, Neswaunja or Big Ox, Stageaunja or Big Blue Eyes, Wasashaco or Brave Man. These people are almost naked, having no covering except a breech-cloth round the middle, with a loose blanket or buffalo robe painted thrown over them. August 20.-The Indians mounted their horses and left us, having received a canister of whiskey at parting. We then set sail, and after passing two islands came-to on the east side under some bluffs, the first near the river since we left the Ayauwa village [July 28]. Here we had the misfortune to lose one of our sergeants, Charles Floyd. He was yesterday seized with a bilious colic, and all our care and attention were ineffectual to relieve him. A little before his death he said to Captain Clark, "I am going to leave you;" his strength failed as he added, "I want you to write me a letter." He died with a composure which justified the high opinion we had formed of his firmness and good conduct. He was buried on the top of the bluff with the honors due to a brave soldier; the place of his interment was marked by a cedar post on which his name and the day of his death were inscribed. We gave his name to this place. About a mile beyond is a small river which we called Floyd's river where we camped. August 21.—A breeze from the southeast carries us by a small willow creek (Perry creek) about a mile and half above Floyd's river Here bsgan a range of bluffs [site of Sioux City] which continued till near the mouth of the Great Sioux river. This river comes in from the north and is about a 110 yards wide. Our Sioux interpreter says that the Sioux river is navigable to the Falls, and beyond; that its sources are near those of the St. Peter's; that below the Falls a creek falls in from the east, after passing through cliffs of red rock, of which rock the Indians make their pipes. The necessity of procuring this article has introduced a sort of law of nations which makes the banks of the creek sacred, and gives hostile tribes a right of asylum at these quarries. From the mouth of the Big Sioux north to latitude 43° 30' that river constitutes the western boundary of Iowa. Lewis and Clark passed up the Missouri river, and on to the Pacific ocean. Upon their return two years afterwards they reached the mouth of the Big Sioux, September 4, 1806, and five days later they passed where is now the southwestern corner of Iowa. The following extracts cover this period: September 4, 1806.--We stopped at noon near Floyd's bluff. On ascending the hill we found that the grave had been opened, and was half uncovered. We filled it up, and then continued down to our old camp near the Omaha village [Aug. 13-20, 1804]. September 5, 1806.-Passed Bluestone bluff [camp of Aug. 9, 1804], where the river leaves the high lands and meanders through a low, rich bottom, and at night camped, after making 73 miles. September 6, 1806.-Near the Little Sioux river we met a trading boat belonging to Mr. August Chouteau, of St. Louis, with several men on their way to trade with the Yanktons at the Jacques river. We obtained from them a gallon of whiskey, and gave each of the party a dram, the first spirituous liquor any have tasted since the 4th of July, 1805. After remaining with them for some time we went on to a sand-bar, 30 miles from our last camp, where we passed the night. Sunday, September 7, 1806.-A little above Soldier's river we stopped to dine on elk, of which we killed three, and at night, after making 44 miles, camped on a sand-bar, where we hoped in vain to escape mosquitoes. September 8, 1806.-Stopped for a short time at the Council bluffs to examine the situation of the place; were confirmed in our belief that it would be a very eligible spot for a trading-establishment. Anxious to reach the Platte, we plied our oars so well that by night we had made 73 miles, and landed at our camp of July 22-26, 1804, twelve miles above the Platte. We had occasion to remark the wonderful evaporation from the Missouri, which does not appear to contain more water, nor its channel to be wider, than] at 1000 miles nearer its source, though within that space it receives about twenty rivers, some of considerable width, and a great number of creeks. September 9, 1806.—By 8 o'clock we passed the Platte; the current of the Missouri becomes more rapid, and the obstructions from fallen timber increase. The river-bottoms are extensive, rich, and covered with tall, large timber, which is still more abundant in the ravines. As we advance so rapidly, the change of climate is very perceptible, the air is more sultry, and the nights so warm that a thin blanket is sufficient, though a few days ago two were not burdensome. Late in the afternoon we camped opposite Baldpated prairie (northwest corner of Atchison Co., Mo.), after a journey of 73 miles. A RELICS OF GEN. JACKSON'S TIME. T NO time in the history of our country, if we except the revolutionary Whig and Tory period of 1775 to 1783, and the era of the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, have the animosities of the members of political parties been more bitter, their strifes more intense, or their contests fought with more determined persistence, or their victories celebrated with more satisfaction and jubilant expression by the victors than during the time whose leading event was the veto by General Jackson of the bill passed by Congress in 1832 for the rechartering of the United States Bank. So elated were the enemies of the bank over the prospect of the final closing up of that financial institution that the leading men among them in New York City gave expression to joy over it by having the veto message printed and distributed on white satin and a failure to respond financially for this purpose by those in official position was regarded as a want of party fealty. This printing on satin was repeated in different parts of the state. A copy of the message thus printed and issued as an extra by the Cayuga Patriot at Auburn, N. Y., has passed down into the hands of Dr. W. H. Dickinson, of Des Moines, who has presented it to the Historical Society and it is prized as one of its choicest historical relics. In size it is 18x24 inches, printed in ordinary sized newspaper type and columns and it is nearly as legible as if printed but a few days ago on good paper. It is in a frame under glass, and it occupies a conspicuous position in the room. Another relic of General Jackson's time is an electioneering sheet, headed "Some of the Bloody Deeds of General Jackson." In its time it was known as "The Coffin Handbill." It is a sheet 12x20 inches, and has twenty-three coffins printed on its face, purporting to be the coffins of that number of persons who had been condemned to death by General JackMost of them met death under sentence of courtmartial. It hangs in a frame on the wall. son. Two other relics are a couple of ballots cast for General Jackson for president and Martin Van Buren for vice-president in Louisiana in 1832. On one there is in addition to the names of Jackson and Van Buren, and the five presidential electors, the picture of a live oak tree and this motto, "Honor and gratitude to the man who has filled the measure of his country's glory." On the other "Our country must and shall be Defended. We will enjoy our LIBERTY or PERISH in the last ditch."-Jackson. These tickets were brought home by Sergeant Virgil Hartsock, of Co. F., 22d Iowa Infantry on his return from the H. W. LATHROP. war. The following literary gem was read by its author at a recent Anniversary of the Nineteenth Century Club, a literary organization of women, now in its eleventh year of existence. It is our hope to obtain other productions of like character for the RECORD. EDITOR. PROMETHEUS. "The crone heaps up dry sticks and, at the blaze, Well, let them chain me now. I conquered. I brought fire, blest boon, to these. Some slight degree more moved, 'And when, and how?' I do not often groan or cry aloud, But sometimes, when Zeus' dreadful bird, more fierce, Tears deeper in, I groan, and then they say Those strong, whole-bodied ones down on the plain, 'The thunder rolls on Caucasus to-night.' Sometimes I sigh--could I but bend my knees! And then, Dost hear the wind wail through the pines?' So on. But this this wrings my heart, that when I shall by all men be forgotten quite." I read old Aeschylos one summer day. And thinking thus that summer day, to me CELIA A. M. CURRIER. A NEW IOWA BOOK. LIFE AND TIMES OF SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD, Iowa's WAR GOVERNOR, BY HON. H. W. LATHROP. HE writing of biography is never an easy task. A warm personal friend of the man whose life he portrays needs to hold a constant rein upon inclination. An enemy will surely betray prejudice. A stranger, who can learn only from materials furnished by others or from utterances of the man himself, may be the fairest biographer, if he knows enough of the environment of his subject to make wise choice of material. Autobiography is supposed to be the fairest presentation of what the man would choose to have said about himself for the benefit of posterity, but posterity may not always share in the estimate the writer has put upon himself. Biography should be history. History is best written after those who made it have passed away and all prejudices have been allayed. Much that may appear important to active participants will become trivial in after years. |