The Bones of Chief Keokuk Exhumed and Taken to His Namesake City.

A few days ago Judge C. F. Davis and Dr. J. M. Shaffer left ostensibly for Kansas City but in reality for Ottawa, Kansas. The purpose of their visit was to bring back to Keokuk the bones of the Sac and Fox Indian Chief Keokuk from whom this city was named. These gentlemen returned yesterday and succeeded in what they undertook. On arriving at Ottawa they found the Indian reservation to be twelve miles distant. The land where Keokuk was buried was once owned by his son, Charles Keokuk. There was a full section in the tract. This son attended the celebration here on July 4th, 1883, and consented to the removal of his father's remains. Messrs. Davis and Shaffer found the grave without any trouble the directions given them by Charles Keokuk being correct and explicit. It was marked by a marble slab 3x6 feet in size. The bones were exhumed and shipped by express with the slab, arriving yesterday. Thirty-five years have passed since Keokuk's death. The exact location for the interment here has not been decided upon. It will either be in the cemetery, the Anderson or the triangular park. The suggestion is made that it be in one ofthe parks and that the city expend several hundred dollars in the erection of a monument. No matter what location is determined upon, the spot will become historic and all visitors will make pilgrimage to the shrine of Chief Keokuk.

"The Daily Gate City," Keokuk, IA, 24 Oct 1883.

The Journey Back.

At the 4th of July celebration, 1883, Moses Keokuk, son of the distinguished Sac chief, was in Keokuk at the special invitation of the city. His visit will long be recalled as one of the pleasant remembrances of that day. While he was here, certain of our citizens conceived the idea of removing the remains of the old chief from the Indian Reservation in Kansas, to this city- the only place in the United States named after him- with a view of erecting a suitable monument to perpetuate his memory. First of all the consent of Rev. Moses Keokuk was obtained, and more than that, he expressed a strong desire that whatever remained of his father's bones, should be exhumed and brought to this city for more decent interment. Then, the secretary of the interior gave ample authority to enter upon the reservation and remove what was thought desirable to compass the object of securing the remains, and looking forward to a time when a suitable monument would be erected to his memory.

This armed, and invested iwth further authority from the mayor of Keokuk, Judge C. F. Davis and Dr. J. M. Shaffer started on their mission. Hon. George W. McCrary gave them a letter of introduction to Colonel Waters, of Kansas City, who, on being seen, entered heartily into the object, and introduced them to J. E. Foster of Ottawa, Kansas. They reached the latter city Thursday evening, and next day, October 19th, met Mr. Foster, who at once left his business and introduced them to W. T. Pickrell, an old citizen, who had general knowledge of the reservation and of the grave of Keokuk, etc. Mr. Pickrell suggested that H. F. Sheldon would be the most likely tohave inimate knowledge of the exact spot where Keokuk was buried. They went for Mr. Sheldon, who came and after hearing the object of their visit, he turned sharply on Mr. Foster, and asked: "Do you know these men?" Foster and Pickrell who had seen the papers, explained and it so turned out that Mr. Sheldon saw the propriety of the removal fo the remains of Keokuk, and at once set to work to assist them. Mr. Sheldon has been in the real estate business for many years and knew all about the locality of the grave of Keokuk, and expressed his readiness to go with them to Greenwood township and give all the aid in his power. A spring wagon with a noble team, and a singularly profane driver, was secured, and the journey was begun. For six miles the road was nearly on a dead level over a flat prairie, with its attendant mud and water, and slush. Then came the Chippewa Hills, in the reservation, dry, hard and roads not worked because the Indians do not work the roads.

Approaching the place, they encountered Robert Woods, esq., familiarly known as "Bob" woods. He was making sorghum syrup-150 gallons a day, from African cane of his own growing. His name is now Woods, but Yarham. He had lived right there for more than twenty-five years. Mr. Woods, becoming acquainted with the object of the visit, entered heartily into its spirit, left his evaporators and sugar mills, furnished a spade and pick-ax, and conducted them by a short cut to the grave of Keokuk.

The grave is located in Greenwood township, is place on the edge of a prairie looking south toward the old trading house of one Randall.

They found a plain slab of Italian marble, lying flat upon the ground, and bearing the following inscription:

SACRED

TO THE MEMORY OF

KEOKUCK:

A DISTINGUISHED SAC CHIEF.

Born at Rock Island in 1788;

Died in April, 1848.

Removing this slab, the exhumation began. Numerous loose stones were taken away, and then was left a light alluvial deposit, with a growth of small sumachs, and a few plants of tender growth. Carefully shoveling, out the earth, they found bones of the fore arm and the leg, together with a few beads.

The grave was located as nearly as could be determined east and west, and the location of the bones indicated that the head was placed at the east. The grave was sunken below the surface and appeared more so when the stones lining it and placed without seeming regularity about it were removed. The alluvial deposit is not more than two feet deep, when a solid sub-stratum of yellow sand stone is reached. This sand stone was hollowed out a depth of over one foot, and at the exhumation was readily cut at the side and base with a spade.

Mayor Fuller, prior to their setting out in search of the remains of Keokuk, drew a diagram, showing the exact locality of the grave, and it corresponded with singular exactness to the location made by Moses Keokuk on his recent visit here. Mr. Fuller is the sone of the Indian agent who had charge of the tribe at the time of Keokuk's death, and recalls very vividly the exact spot where the chief was buried.

It was arranged that Mr. Woods should bring the marble slab to Ottawa. This was done Saturday. The express agent, Jap. Robinson, told them to have no concern about it, as he would see it boxed and shipped to Kansas City. And he did as he said. Finding Mr. Butler, the agent at Kansas city, they presented their credentials from Wm. H. Quick, express agent at Des Moines. Mr. Butler extended further facilities, and the marble slab came safely to Keokuk, a day in advance of those who shipped it. It is a real pleasure to do work or be associated in business with such men as Quick, Butler, Grady and Robinson, of the United States Express company.

So the remains are here, and the marble slab is here, and here let them find a fitting resting place-an honor to a historic character-and to the city which bears his name.

"The Daily Gate City," Keokuk, IA, 25 Oct 1883.

A Capt. William Phelps, a member of the firm of Pratt, Cheauteau & Co., Indian traders, first became acquainted with Keokuk, Appanoose and others of the tribe located on the Des Moines river in 1829.

Of the "old Chief," Capt. Phelps wrote: "Keokuk was a man of good physique, height about five feet ten inches, weight 190 to 200 pounds, complexion a shade lighter than the average of his tribe, the Sac's. The very little white blood in his veins, which he said was 'only a picayune of white,' was transmitted to him by his father, who was half French, his mother being a true Sac. "His eyes, though deep set, were full and bright, and when interested in conversation lighted up and fairly glowed as he forcibly and rapidly expressed his thoughts and purposes."

Keokuk was a Sac Indian, born on the Rock river, in what is at this day the northwestern part of Illinois, about the year 1788. Though not a chief by right of inheritance, he gradually rose to the highest honors and the most elevated position within the gift of his people. When only fifteen years of age he won his first laurels. His tribe was engaged in a war with the neighboring Sioux and young Keokuk, burning with martial ardor, was permitted to take part in one of the battles. Being mounted he had the good fortune of killing a Sioux with his spear.

The Sioux were deservedly proud of their horsemanship, and fought by preference on horseback; therefore this achievement of young Keokuk's brought him into sudden and great prominence. He was made the recipient of high honrs for one so young, being admitted to all the rights and privileges of a brave. A public feast was decreed to commemorate this great deed, and the council decided that after that day he might appear in public on horseback, even though the other chiefs and braves were not mounted.

At the time of the second war with England, Keokuk was promoted to the rank of war chief, and took command of all the braves of his tribe. The chiefs in council received news of an advancing host, which was sent by our government to destroy the Indian village at Peoria, on the Illinois river, and they were thoroughly alarmed by the rumor that this expedition was also directed against the Sacs.

In their consternation the council determined to abandon their village. Keokuk chanced to be standing near the council lodge and overheard this pusillanimous decision. His presence of mind saved the situation. Advancing with modes dignity to the lodge door, he requested of his fathers the permission of entering. It was granted. he then asked leave to speak in council. It was given him. His speech on that occasion is religiously preserved, and is inscribed ont he monument erected to his memory by the people of Keokuk, Iowa:

I have heard with sorrow that you have determined to leave our village and cross the Mississippi, merely because you have been told that the Americans were coming in this direction. Would you leave our village, desert our homes, and fly before an enemy without trying to defend them? Give me charge of your warriors, and I will defend the village while you sleep.

In the years that followed Keokuk constantly strengthened himself in the love of his people and the friendship of the whites. Some time before the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, although we are not able to ascertain the exact date Keokuk became head chief of all the tribes of Sacs and Foxes through the death of old Quashquame. It is universally believed, however, that Keokuk's influence had been a ruling power long before, and we are told delightfully thrilling tales of his bravery, presence of mind, devotion to his people, dauntless courage, even in the face of most desperate odds, and of his splendid mental resources. From descriptions of him in books and also from what is told of him by old settlers who had a personal acquaintance with the great chief, he must have been an imposing type of manhood. Keokuk did not disdain the arts of peace, but was a most finished orator, and his eloquence won many a victory which could have been earned, otherwise only by a recourse to arms and the sacrifice of many precious lives. He appears to have been a great statesman, as his successful leadership of the councils of his people indicates. Above all, he was a true friend, a loyal man and a truly royal king.

The people of Iowa, especially of that portion which was once his royal domain hold him in loving remembrance, and their affection has prompted them to erect a commanding monument over his remains. It is placed on the most commanding point of the city of Keokuk, in her beautiful park, and overlooks the waters of the broad Mississippi, which he is said to have dearly loved. If the immortal spirit of the great chief haunts the spot it can not but be satisfied with the selection, for no finer view could possibly be found.

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