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HENRY LOTT, the first settler in the County of Webster, erected the first cabin
near the mouth of the Boone river, on land now owned by Loudowic MARICLE, in section
24, township 87, range 27. The date of his settlement is unknown. He was found there
in 1846, by the pioneers, engaged in the laudable enterprise of selling, whisky
to the Indians, stealing their ponies and running them off to the south. He cultivated
but little land. Lott was a slim, dark eyed, shrewd man, with a fair education,
and claimed to have been born in the New England States. His first wife, who was
a daughter of one of the early Governors of Ohio or Pennsylvania, died in the winter
of 1846 and was buried without a coffin, puncheons being placed at the bottom, sides
and ends of the grave, the body lowered and others laid over the remains. Her grave
is in the cemetery on the VIGORS' farm, section 25, township 87, range 27.
LOTT in his dealings with the Indians was so unfair, that they finally became suspicious
of him, threatened his life and in the winter of 1846, drove him from his cabin,
but did not meddle with his family. His two sons, fearing for the safety of their
father, followed him, became lost and separated, and one was frozen to death near
Elk Rapids. His remains were subsequently found, placed for protection from the
wolves in a pile of drift-wood, and against the wishes of Lott, who desired to cremate
the body, was buried in the spring near where it was found.
After the death of his first wife, LOTT married the daughter of FRANCIS MCGUIRE,
one of the first settlers in Yell township, subsequently built a cabin on the bank
of the Des Moines river, on the farm now owned by CLARK FULLER, near the spot where
in later days stood the steam saw-mill of SAMUEL TOD, and spent his time trading
with the Indians, hunting and fishing. Here his second wife died on the l0th day
of December, 1851, and is buried on section 27, township 88, range
28, but all traces of the grave are now obliterated.
In November, 1853, LOTT made a claim near Lott's creek, in Humboldt county, which
he and his son occupied, and laid in as a winter's supply—three or four barrels
of whisky and some goods, as he said, "with a view of trading with the Indians."
In January, 1854, LOTT and his son went to the camp of the old chief, SIDOM-I-NA-DO-TAH
who was then living on the creek, a mile west of LOTT'S cabin, and telling him that
there was a drove of elk feeding on the bottom lands, induced the old Indian to
mount his pony and go with them. LOTT and his son followed, shot and killed him,
and that night disguised as Indians, attacked the chief's wife, mother and six children
and murdered all but two, a little girl aged ten, who hid in the bushes, and a boy
about twelve years old whom they thought they had killed and left for dead. He recovered
and escaped. Some ten days elapsed before the murder was discovered. Then his cabin
was found to have been burned and his wagon tacked to Holiday creek, he avoiding
Fort Dodge. At Mr. Thos. HOLLIDAY'S the first intelligence was had of him. He passed
there with his old covered carriage, containing his household goods, while his
son led the Indian's pony heavily packed with furs. At the house of Mrs. I. GARMOE,
then near the mouth of the Boone
river, LOTT and his son stayed overnight and offered for sale furs and other articles.
Here his actions attracted the attention of other guests who were spending the
night at Mrs. GARMOE'S. Major WILLIAMS, who was among the number, made the remark that something was wrong with LOTT.
His son refused to go to the barn and feed the horses after dark. He had the Indian's
pony with him then, but knowing his mode of "raising ponies," no one suspected the
great crime he had committed.
After the troops had been ordered from Fort Dodge, Gov. HEMPSTEAD issued a commission
to Major WILLIAM WILLIAMS, granting him authority, if necessary, to raise men, and
keep the Indians in check, and as far as possible, keep peace between them and the
settlers. The roving bands who inhabited this portion of Iowa were very friendly
to the Major. His
word to them was law, and to prevent an Indian war, which was threatened, he promised them that LOTT should be captured,
and worked faithfully to fulfill that promise. The civil authorities of the county
assisted him with the strong arm of the law. A subscription was circulated throughout
the country, furds raised, and every settler took an interest in his
capture. While LOTT had traits of character that were admired, many of the settlers were afraid of him.
SIDOM-I-NA-DO-TAH was the leader of the band that drove LOTT from his home in the
winter of 1848, and it is said that he then swore he would have revenge. After the
death of his second wife he gave away his little twin daughters and his infant son,
taking with him to Humboldt county, the son before mentioned, who was about fifteen
years old. After leaving Mrs. GARMOE'S, nothing definite is known of LOTT. It was
reported that he fled to Council Bluffs, joined an overland train bound for California,
and was killed in a quarrel on the plains. But it is thought by these who knew him
best, that this was a ruse to keep the officers in search
from following him. After search for LOTT had been abandoned, the skeleton of the old Indian was found, and the fact
reported to the county officers at Homer, who decided that under law, it was necessary
to hold an inquest over the murdered chief.
Father JOHN JOHNS, the then acting Coroner, summoned a jury and went up to examine
the remains. They collected a few Indians together and examined the hoy and girl
who had escaped the massacre. None of the Indians present could understand English.
GRANVILLE BERKLEY, Prosecuting Attorney for the county, took the testimony of the
Indians and
pretended to interpret it. The interpretation was disputed by WM. R. MILLER, an old frontiersman, and a laughable scene
ensued. BERKLEY quoted authors which MILLER could not answer. The former obtained
from the Indians the skull of the dead chief, which he took to Homer. The
records in the Coroner's office of the County of Webster, contain no account of the verdict of
this jury.
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