Untitled Document

INDIAN HISTORY

When the settlers first arrived in this county the Indians of the Sac and Fox tribes had a permanent village extending along the bluffs from Rock river to what is now Twenty-fourth street, Rock Island. Of the Sac Indians, Black Hawk was chief, while the Foxes were commanded by Keokuk. after whom the city of Keokuk. Ia., is named.

What is now South Rock Island township was occupied principally by the Sacs. As near as can lie ascertained. Black Hawk's summer home was located on the bluffs overlooking what is now the town of Sears, in this township, his winter home being further north at a point between what is now Eighteenth avenue and Aiken street, and east of Twelfth street.

In this township was located the council house for the meetings of both tribes. It stood at a point which would now be south of the Rock Island Canning Company's plant, and west of the Rock Island and Peoria Railway tracks, in the valley close to Rock river. Here were held the scalp dances, and other ceremonial gatherings of the two tribes, as well as their council meetings.

Their fields extended along the hillsides and in the valley. Their corn was cultivated by dropping it between the hills of the year before, then scraping the soil from these over it with mussel shells. Their crops were principally corn, beans and pumpkins. In the autumn when the crops were gathered and the tribes were ready to move to their hunting grounds, their grain and other food supplies which were to be left behind, were concealed or cached in holes in the ground in hazel thickets, the brush from which had been removed to be afterwards cunningly replaced when the caching had been done.

Their principal burial ground was west of the Watch Tower, and east of Twenty-fourth street, on the bluffs overlooking Rock river, their mode of sepulcre being both under and oil top of the ground, the latter frequently in trees.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

Submitted by the Webmaster

Illinois Ancestors

111106BMKF