1905 Past and Present
Indians
The earliest settlers found on the banks of the Macoupin a large tribe of Indians, who remained for some time, taking advantage of the immense quantity of game which abounded in this region. They were friendly to the whites and were frequently to be seen at their cabins to the terror of the feminine portion of the families. Indians in greater or less numbers were frequent visitors of the county for several years, but were never in any way hostile to the settlers. Many of the pioneers, however, retained their feeling of hate for the savages, aroused during the war, and the determination to kill the first one of them that was left alone, was often expressed.
The Indians, however, were not on the best terms with each other, but they usually refrained from any outbreak of personal violence. If a white man passed near one of them in the woods, the Indian often seemed desirous of avoiding a meeting, but if the parties happened to be proceeding in such direction as to render such a meeting inevitable, the red man would walk briskly up to the white man and taking his hand in both of his own, shake it cordially, calling him "Good man, good man. Me Pottawatomie Indian" (or Kickapoo, as the case might be). "Me good Indian — Kickapoo no good Indian: Kickapoo steal white man's hogs."' In fact, both the tribes annoyed the settlers by killing their hogs.
About this time a band of Indians camped on the Macoupin in the east part of the county. They had with them their squaws and came for the purpose of killing some of the game with which that region abounded. They had not been long in camp before some of their enemies near Carrollton determined that they should be driven away. The dwellers in the county had no objection to the presence of the red man but as others were determined to eject them they concluded to accompany the expedition. General Fry led the company, and among those from the county were John W. Huitt, the two Taylors and Messrs. Alexander and Foster. Arriving at the Indian camp they found it entirely deserted by the braves, who were all absent in pursuit of deer or turkey or other game. The wigwams, the fire and the squaws with their pappooses were alone to be found. In order to call in the busy hunters, and, at the same time to occupy the time, the party set up a mark and began firing at it with their rifles. The quick-repeated reports produced the desired effect, for the terrified savages soon came rushing in. panting and covered with perspiration and expecting to find their wives and children brutally massacred.
They were much delighted to discover that they were unduly frightened,
and, awaiting the arrival of the chief, entered into a friendly contest in
marksmanship with the pale-faces. The keen eye and steady nerve of the
Indians gave them the victory and they did not hesitate to manifest their
satisfaction at such results by loud and boisterous rejoicing. At last the
chief arrived and to him the white men kindly but firmly communicated their
desire that he and his people should quit the county. They asked the
privilege of remaining until the sun should pass over their heads three
times, which being granted, they promised to go, and in the course of two or
three days had disappeared. This was about the last appearance of Indians in
this county, though an occasional wanderer was seen, even down to a quite
recent period. On the way home from this expedition the party came across a
dressed deer and a number of skins belonging to the savages, and a few
proposed that they appropriate them; but the sense of honor of the majority
of them ruled, and the flesh and pelts were undisturbed. Soon night overtook
the party; those from the town were anxious to push on, but Mr. Huitt and
his friends concluded to camp till morning. They passed a very comfortable
night and reached home during the next morning, feeling fresh and well,
while those who had pushed on walked till nearly daybreak before reaching
their own roofs.
Extracted 07 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, by Ed Miner, published in 1905, pages 65-66.
