bhawk

Wabokieshiek, the leader of the village at Prophetstown, was born in the late 1700’s, and was described as a tall man (over 6 feet) with a large build. He had long, wavy hair, deep set eyes and an intelligent face. Some people described him as always frowning, sullen and not to be trusted, but others said he was a loyal and generous friend. He was the trusted advisor of Black Hawk, the famous Sauk and Fox warrior whose statue and name are so common in our area.

Wabokieshiek, translated "White Cloud," was known for wearing white deerskin clothing and a large turban.

Black Hawk was a brave and admired chief who dearly loved his home along the Rock River where he was born in 1767. He believed strongly that mother earth is sacred and belongs to no one. White settlers and the new United States government’s claims to the land made him very angry. He sided with the British and the French in wars against the U.S. because he felt they were more trustworthy than the Americans in their trade dealings.

     In 1804, a few Sauk leaders went to St. Louis to make peace after a fight between the Indians and white settlers resulted in the deaths of three settlers. When Black Hawk learned that those chiefs had signed a treaty that sold all Sauk lands east of the Mississippi for a very small sum, he became upset and vowed that the treaty was not valid. Black Hawk fought with the British against the United States in the War of 1812.
     Soon after, white settlers started moving into the northwestern Illinois area. Returning from their winter hunting trip in 1832, Black Hawk and his people found that the settlers had even taken over their home village, Saukenauk, where the Indians had over 800 acres of ground in cultivation. Black Hawk and his people were forced to move west across the Mississippi. Wabokieshiek encouraged Black Hawk to reclaim his land in the Rock River valley, though, and promised he would get help from other tribes in the area.
      In 1832, Black Hawk brought 500 braves and their families peaceably into Illinois at the mouth of the Rock River near Saukenauk. The settlers were frightened and friction between the settlers and the Indians soon involved the army. A series of conflicts erupted over the next few months known as the Black Hawk Wars.
     The militia, under the command of General Henry Atkinson, and including young Abraham Lincoln, set out up the river after Black Hawk’s band. When Black Hawk learned that the Winnebago and other tribes would not help him after all, he gave up and tried to retreat. The runners he had sent carrying a white flag were attacked by the soldiers and killed or taken prisoner. Black Hawk’s band then continued up the Rock River, camping at Thunderbolt Hill. The soldiers, following close behind them, burned the village at Saukenauk, then burned the Prophet’s village after the Winnebago there joined Black Hawk’s flight. The soldiers chased the tribe east, losing a battle near Dixon, before they forced the Indians north into Wisconsin, then finally back toward the Mississippi. Black Hawk and Wabokieshiek tried to surrender when they reached the river, but over 150 of their braves and many women and children were killed or drowned in the terrible Bad Axe Massacre. Both Chief Black Hawk and Wabokieshiek survived the skirmishes. Black Hawk died in Iowa in 1838; Wabokieshiek died in 1841 in Kansas.

Chief Black Hawk’s farewell words:

“…Black Hawk is an Indian - farewell, my nation! “

“…Black Hawk tried to save you, and avenge your wrongs.
…He has been taken prisoner, and his plans are stopped.
He can do no more. He is near his end. His sun is setting,
and he will rise no more.”

"Farewell to Black Hawk"

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