THE BLACK HAWK WAR BEGAN APRIL 6 1832

Determined to resist the growing presence of Anglo settlers on traditional tribal lands, the Sauk warrior Black Hawk is drawn into war with the United States.

Called Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak by his people, Black Hawk was born in 1767 in the village of Saukenuk in the present-day state of Illinois. He quickly earned a reputation as a fierce and courageous fighter in the frequent skirmishes between the Sauk and their principle enemy, the Osage. By the early 1800s, however, Black Hawk began to realize that the real threat to his people was the rapidly growing numbers of white people streaming into the region.

Black Hawk

In 1804, representatives of the Sauk and Fox (Mesquakie) Indians signed a treaty that ceded all of their territory east of the Mississippi River to the United States. Black Hawk, however, maintained the treaty was invalid and had been signed by drunken Indian representatives. In 1816, he reluctantly confirmed the treaty with his own signature, but he later said he did not understand that this meant he would someday have to cede his home village of Saukenuk on the Rock River.

As the U.S. Army built more forts and droves of settlers moved into the territory during the next 15 years, Black Hawk grew increasingly angry. Finally, in 1831, settlers began to occupy the village of Saukenuk, an area that would later become Rock Island, Illinois. Regardless of the provisions of the 1804 treaty, Black Hawk refused to leave his own home. He began to prepare for war.

Early in 1832, General Edmund P. Gaines arrived in the area with a sizeable force of U.S. soldiers and Illinois militiamen. Initially, Black Hawk withdrew his large band of warriors, women, and children to the west side of the Mississippi. On April 5, however, he led them back into the disputed territory, believing that other Indian forces and the British to the north would support him in a confrontation.

The following day, a large army of soldiers caught up to Black Hawk and his followers near the Rock River of northern Illinois. When neither the British nor his Indian allies came to his support, Black Hawk attempted to surrender. Unfortunately, one of his truce bearers was killed in the confusion, and the Black Hawk War began.

In May, Black Hawk’s warriors won a significant victory that left the Americans badly demoralized. As subsequent generations of Indian fighters would learn, however, the mighty force of the U.S. government was relentless. On August 2, U.S. soldiers nearly annihilated Black Hawk’s band as it attempted to escape west across the Mississippi, and Black Hawk finally surrendered.  READ MORE

 

CHIEF 2 GUNS WHITE CALF OIL PAINTING APPRAISAL NEEDED

Any art appraisers in the hood? A reader sent these photos of an old oil painting of Legendary Chief 2 Guns White Calf...he said...."I have had this for a very very long time. Its on canvas. Can someone tell me about it?"

Here is my story about Chief 2 Guns 

WOMEN OF THE WILD WILD WEST!

A gunfighter, gambler, performer, and alleged prostitute, Kitty Leroy, was best known as one of the most proficient poker players in the Old West.

Lillian Russell -one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th-early 20th centuries. Known for her beauty & style and voice & stage presence, she was referred to as "The American Beauty"

This is Pauline Markham. - (1847-1919) - She had quite an interesting life as a singer, a burlesque dancer & a member of the Lydia Thompson troupe. Pauline supposedly had relations with several Northern Generals & Post Civil War Reconstructionists. She was also responsible for bringing to Tombstone, Josephine "Sadie" Marcus. Sadie eventually became Wyatt Earp’s common-law wife & was with him 46 years.

Julia Bulette, Virginia City madam, was one of the women who helped, in her own way, to settle the old west.

Lottie Deno, famed cardshark of the Old West

Dr. Bethenia Owens, the West Coast's First Female Doctor. Amazing story. Married at 14, she tolerated a worthless husband for 4 years, until in 1858, he “whipped my baby (who was around 24 months old at the time) unmercifully, and struck and choked me.”

Then she left him. And became an extremely hard working woman, teaching and dressmaking, sending her son George to Berkley when he was 14. He became a doctor. And then, she did too.

Cattle Kate - The "outlaw" characterization is a dubious one, as she was not violent and was never charged with any crime during her life. Accused of cattle rustling, she was ultimately lynched by agents of powerful cattle ranchers as an example to what happens to those that opposed them and whose interests she had threatened. Her life has become the subject of an Old West legend.

Martha Jane Canary, better known as Calamity Jane, was an American frontierswoman, and professional scout best known for her claim of being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok, but also for having gained fame fighting Indians.

Born Phoebe Ann Moses (or Mosey) on August 13, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio, the woman who would be known as Annie Oakley developed her superb marksmanship abilities as a teen, earning enough to pay off the mortgage for her mother's home.

She married fellow marksman Frank Butler in 1876 and would later become a star attraction for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for years, renowned for unparalleled shooting tricks. A revered global figure...

Dora Hand, some pioneers recalled, caused more revolver fights than those of any other woman in the West. A popular singer in Dodge City, Kansas, the beautiful woman was shot and killed in 1878 by a cowhand named James “Spike” Kennedy. A posse was quickly organized to chase the killer down and bring him to justice. Among the members of the posse were Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett and Bill Tilghman.

Rosa May, well known prostitute that frequented Virginia City Nevada and Bodie California during the gold rush. She was an amazing woman, apart from her profession, she was a prominent figure in 19th century old west history. You can visit her grave at Bodie California.

"Doc Holliday's Hungarian Devil" Mary Katherine Horony Cummings, known as Big Nose Kate, was a Hungarian-born prostitute and later long-time companion and common-law wife of Doc Holliday in the American Old West..