Tag Archives: Iowa History

Can You Yada Yada History?

Posted on July 3, 2014 by the roused bear

The TV show Seinfeld had a memorable episode called “The Yada Yada.”  In the episode, a number of conversations involved a story in which a part was described with the words “yada yada, yada.”   Usually that is used to … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Black Hawk, Fox tribe, Iowa History, Meskwaki, Mesquaki | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 141: Dancing for the Amusement of Spectators

Posted on August 11, 2012 by the roused bear

Yesterday my family and I went to the 98th annual Meskwaki Pow Wow. This is a four-day celebration, descended from the “green corn festival”, that includes dancing and singing for spectators.  It is a very charming thing to witness, although … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Meskwaki, The History of the Butterfly, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 139: The Death of General Street

Posted on February 3, 2012 by the roused bear

In May of 1840 General Joseph Montfort Street died. General Street had been Indian Agent to the Sacs and Foxes, and by all accounts had looked out for the interests of the Indians. He had a close friendship with Wapello … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa History, Powasheek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 136: The Death of Black Hawk

Posted on January 15, 2012 by the roused bear

From Stevens, 1903: “Black Hawk’s cabin stood about one hundred feet from the north bank of the Des Moines River, a few rods from that of Mr. James H. Jordan, the agent.  Near it, on the sloping bank, stood two … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Black Hawk, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 134: The Founding of Agency City

Posted on January 7, 2012 by the roused bear

The treaty signed by Poweshiek, Keokuk, and a number of the other chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes required the groups of Meskwaki living near what became Iowa City to relocate within a year.  It gave Keokuk’s group of Sac … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Iowa History, Keokuk, Poweshiek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 132: “Ross Can Come Back Now.”

Posted on January 3, 2012 by the roused bear

The early settlers in the Iowa City area had frequent interactions with the Indians.  Sometimes those interactions were positive—shared meals, care for women in childbirth.  Sometimes the interactions took on a darker character. Asa Gregg was an early settler who … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Iowa History, Powasheek, Poweshiek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 130: A New Treaty

Posted on December 28, 2011 by the roused bear

The visit that the Sauk and Fox Indians made to Washington resulted in a new land cessation treaty. The tan double triangle area was what was ceded.  Poweshiek’s village was near Iowa City at the time–Poweshiek lived in that area for … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Meskwaki, Poweshiek | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 119: A Letter From General Street

Posted on December 7, 2011 by the roused bear

The Niles Weekly Register was a newspaper that published information from a number of sources.  On February 4, 1837 it published a letter that had been made available for publication by the Congressional Globe, the official paper of Congress. This … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Powasheek, Poweshiek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The History of the Butterfly, Part 110: Pow-E-Shiek

Posted on November 12, 2011 by the roused bear

No comprehensive history of Chief Poweshiek exists.  There are a number of historical writings that mention him, however. You may remember that Poweshiek became a chief by default, when a number of the Meskawki leaders were massacred by Sioux warriors … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Iowa History, Keokuk, Powasheek, Poweshiek, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

History of the Butterfly, Part 79: Catlin on Keokuk

Posted on February 21, 2011 by the roused bear

“From Dubuque, I descended the river on a steamer, with my bark canoe laid on its deck, and my wife was my companion, to Camp Des Moines, from whence I am now writing. After arriving at this place, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in American Indians, Keokuk, The History of the Butterfly | Tagged , , | Leave a comment