IN giving the history of Wahkonsa township, on page 9, it, will he noticed that
Mr. MORUAN believes WAHKONSA to have been a son of INK-A-PA-DO-TA. I think he could
have scarcely fallen into a greater error. In the year 1859, a society was formed
in this city, named the " Wahkonsa Library Club." The name was given in the Sentinel
which I at the time, assisted ia editing, The Dubuque Herald wanted to know what
"Wahkonsa" meant, and Major WILLIAMS gave the desired information. It was, that
WAHKONSA was the son of ÜMPASHOTA (smoky-day.) ; that he was very intelligent, and
useful to the first settlers ; that he would map out the whole country northwest
of this in sand, or dirt, with a stick. Those who best knew INK-A-PA-DO-TA, say
he had but one son—a short, stout Indian, who was presumed to be above twenty-two
years old at the time of the massacre at Spirit Lake, Ills name was COM-A-DO-CA,
and he was killed near Fort Ridgely, Minnesota, during the summer of 1857. He died
fighting. When the massacre at Spirit Lake occurred, WAHKONSA went to Fort Ridgely
and delivered himself up, a thing very unlikely for him to do, if he had been INK-A-PA-DO-TA's
son. Mrs. MARBLE, whom I interviewed in Chicago, after her captivity, for the Times
of that city, declared most emphatically that INK-A-PA-DO-TA had but one son in
the band, and that son was COM-A-DO-CA. We think there is no doubt of due correctness
of our position in this respect.
In the history of Badger township. It Is related that the first settler was STEPHEN
MAYHER, and that he settled on section 19. We are now told that the section was
13, range 29, and that the first teacher was Mrs. MCGILL. Mr. MORGAN has taken a
great deal of pains, and is generally very correct in Iiis statements.
On page 27, JOHN MEASLES should read JOSHUA MEASLES.
Under the head of public schools, on page 30, second Hue from the top, it is stated
that, " during the winter of 1856, and 1857," etc. This error is apparent. It should
read 1856 and 1857.
Since the publication of a part of the history in thé journals of Fort Dodge, many
claims have been made to first residence in some of the townships. Among the rest,
it is asserted that JOHN WARE was the fitst settler of Otho ; that he made his home
there in 1852. and died in the fall of 1866, and that in 1869 PHILIP HAWLEY married
his widow. We do not see that this conflicts with Mr. MORGAN'S account.
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