Re: chief frank whitecloud,
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In reply to:
Re: chief frank whitecloud,
3/06/02
Biography: Ma-has-kah, was the son of Man-haw-gaw (Wounding Arrow), who was murdered by the Sioux near the mouth of Iowa River. Though quite young at that time, he resolved to avenge his father's death; he appointed a distinguished warrior to lead the raid against the Sioux and went as a common soldier. The war party came back with 10 Sioux scalps. Ma-has-kah took the Sioux Chief's, in whose lodge the life of his father had been taken. Having thus proved himself a brave, he, after this, assumed command, and his adventures were numerous and daring. Mahaska lodge was on the Des Moines River, about one hundred miles from its mouth.
Ma-has-kah moved his tribe to a spot just north of St. Joseph and along the Blacksnake Hill country where he not only wagged war against the Sioux, but also against the Osage Indians of southern Missouri. He had a few small battles with the Missouri Indians, but since they were of the same stock, they soon merged with the Iowa and other closely associated tribes. Ma-has-kah's war adventures were numerous and daring; he led his warriors in eighteen battles and was never defeated.
When Ma-has-kah returned from his visit to Washington, in 1824, it was his purpose to take the advice of the great father (President Monroe), and devote himself to the cultivation of his land. He built a double log house, and for a time lived in great comfort.
Mahaska himself was shot from ambush by some of his own men whom had caused to be arrested on complaint by the government.The deed was committed in what is now the Southeastern part of Cass County.Mahaska was then fifty years old.The murderers were caught and executed by the Otoes and Omaha's.
Importance as a Chief: Other Iowa chiefs were Na-che-wing(No heart of Fear),Nue-mon-ga(Walking Rain), and He-wa-tho-cha(One who sheds his hair).But old Mahaska was the greatest of all.Mahaska County preserves his memory. Under Ma-has-ka the Ioways were the most numerous and powerful tribe, next to the Sioux, of all tribes between the Mississiippi and the Missouri rivers.
Mention in News Papers of 1808: Easton represented an Ioway Indian Chief White Cloud, and saved his life from angry St. Louis citizens who wanted to make an example by hanging him. White Cloud had acted in self-defense when he killed two St. Louis Frenchmen. President Jefferson was against hanging White Cloud and was pleased that the Indians had won their case through the efforts of U.S. Attorney, Rufus Easton. White Cloud was proud that he never in his lifetime killed an American.
(Reference: For Which We Stand; The Life and Papers of Rufus Easton, by Adamson, Foley, and Kenny, Publisher: Bruce Campbell Adamson Books; 3rd edition (1996)
Quote: Your religious calling was written on plates of stone by the flaming finger of an angry God.Our religion was established by the traditions of our ancestors, the dreams of our elders that are given to them in the silent hours of night by the Great Spirit.- Chief White Cloud