“Keokuk received Captain Allen with superb dignity, and at once the march to the council tent began. Keokuk, the magnificent, kingly of mien and stature, headed the procession robed in his most regal costume, and attended by a retinue as gorgeous as himself. Poweshiek, the Fox, came next. Although less spectacular than Keokuk, he will maintained the Fox tribal tradition and dignity. Appanoose followed, as aloof as ever. Kishkekosh brought up the rear. Kishkekosh, whose outstanding characteristic was a propensity to imitate the white man, had gotten himself up in the fashion of the white dandy of the day, wearing a long black frock coat and high silk hat, while in his hand he carried a walking stick, which he twirled from time to time like a drum major.
The mob, strung out along the line of march, intent on hurling jeers and insults at the Indians, changed their demeanor as the latter appeared. There are times when even the mob must yield to primal instinct, and this was one of them. In single file and with stately rhythm the Indians marched; between lines stricken dumb by he very dignity and splendor of the spectacle. As stately and as dignified as Roman Senators they marched, looking neither to the right nor to the left, their heads and bodies erect, towering high above the rabble, which they ignored as so much rubbish. The crowd, come to jeer, stood at respectful attention, and many an eye was dimmed, and many a throat suddenly choked, and insulting words forming on obscene lips remained unspoken.
Kishkekosh, bringing up the rear, ridiculous in his white man’s costume, and his aping of white man’s ways, proved the anticlimax which was to restore the crowd to its mob status. Howls of laughter went up, followed by a barrage of billingsgate. But by this time the Indians had disappeared within the council tent.”
From: Wapello Chief A Tale of Iowa, Francis Roy Moore, 1938, The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
