Before The Recording of Time.... Page 3 ....Mound builders lived in the Sangamon valley. Anthropologists claim the three burial and village sites found are of the Hopwell era-that of early Indian tribes. One of the sites is west of the Edward Boehm residence at the mouth of Latimore Creek. Another called Yellow Banks. Is north of Oakford along the Crane Creek bluff. The largest is on the west bank of Clary's Creek on the Max Gebhard farm. Many years later, the Pottawattomie, Kickapoo and Illinois Indians lived here for some time. Although the first settlers had many problems Indians were not one of them. According to the 1819 Treaty of Edwardsville, most of the Kickapoo left. However, the Hash family which settled near here in 1822. became acquainted with a peace loving Winnabago. Chief Shick Shack (Rising Sun) It Ws thought Shick Shack came to the Sangamon Valley shortly after the War of 1812. He used the high barren hilltop above his tribe's camp as a lookout and to send signals to hunting parties. Shick Shack married Lo-Lo a Winnebago maiden before leaving his warmongering tribe. Lo-Lo bore him a son who played with the Hash boy. Possibly for diplomatic reasons. Shick Shack also wed Mah-qua-la. a Kickapoo squaw, after settling in Kickapoo territory. She was the mother of his three daughters. In the late 1820's contrary to the treaty, hostile bands reappeared in northern Illinois. Shick Shack foresaw troubles and decided to move from his treasured Sangamon hunting grounds. One day in 1827, Shick Shack appeared at the Hash homestead to say he was leaving. He shook hands with every member of the family. The next day, Shick Shack burned his camp and left. According to some historians, some member of Lincoln's company met Shick Shack briefly in Northern Illinois during the 1832 Black Hawk War. This is the last known reference of Shick Shack friend of the Hashes. At the west end of the Oakford community, a quarter mile east of Middle Creek on the William Lynn Farm. Shick Shack Hill towers, a memorial to another who loved Sangamon Valley. Next Previous Index Copyright © 2007 Jeanie Lowe & contributors All rights reserved Illinois Ancestors Home