Reminiscences of Early Peoria
by Odillon B. Slane
Chapter 20
page 41
BLACK HAWK WAR
DURING the winters of 1831-1832, the news reached Fort
Clark that Black Hawk was digging up the tomahawk, in the northwest. Groups of
Indians from the south, southeast and southwest would straggle into the Indian
camp at Peoria, tarry a few days, then proceed toward the northwest. These and
other signs alarmed the Peoria settlers. Word came, however, that Major Stillman
with mounted soldiers, was on his way to give protection and to organize
volunteer soldiers for defense.
My father and his brother, playing as small boys with the Indians about this time would say when they engaged in arguments, "Just wait till Major Stillman and the soldiers come and see what they do to you."
Major Stillman did come and drilled the little company of Peoria which had been recruited under Captain Abner Eads. It was a small company which Peoria got together. Among them was a drummer boy of fifteen or sixteen.
His mother begged that he was too young to go, but the father insisted that the boy must do his part. So it was decided that James Doty should go with Captain Eads and his men. But poor Jimmie never came back. He was killed in one of the battles with Black Hawk's braves.
Bullets were moulded in the Slane cabin, and in other cabins for the Black Hawk War, and the courageous pioneers of Peoria and vicinity did well their part, in meeting and defeating the Indians. One of our Peoria Indian chiefs did all he could to avert the Black Hawk War.
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Copyright © Janine Crandell
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Updated September 20, 2005