A Trip to Spirit Lake. 



' 



Thatcher Cabin. 



whites intercepted the chase. There was another story to the 



effect that a dog owned by a white 

 man had bitten an Indian, that 

 the Indian killed the dog, and that 

 the white man gave the Indian a 

 beating. It was also said that the 

 settlers whipped a number of 

 squaws who were carrying roast- 

 ing ears from the field. At any 

 rate the hearts of the Indians be- 

 came filled with revenge, and 

 starting north the redskins commenced committing depre- 

 dations along the route. Having killed a number of settlers, 

 these Indians reached the vicinity of Okoboji the evening 

 of March 7th. The settlers had no knowledge of what had 

 transpired down the valley ; nor through the long hours of 

 that night, wrapped in peaceful repose, did they dream of the 

 foul conspiracy that was brewing. 



"My father was intending to start for Fort Dodge on the 

 following morning to secure a load of supplies. As we were 

 about to sit down to breakfast an Indian entered the house, 

 wearing the guise of friendship and claiming the sacred pre- 

 rogative of hospitality. A place was prepared for him at the 

 table and he partook of the frugal meal with the family. This 

 Indian was soon followed by others until Inkapaduta and four- 

 teen warriors, with their squaws and papooses had entered the 

 house. After eating, the men of the tribe became sullen, inso- 

 lent and demanded ammunition and other things. When father 

 was giving one of the Indians a few gun caps, he snatched the 

 whole box from his hand. At the same time another attempted 

 to take a powder horn from the wall, but was prevented by 

 Harvey Luce. The Indian drew his gun and would have shot 

 Mr. Luce had the latter not seized the weapon and turned it 

 in another direction. About this time Dr. Harriott and Mr. 

 Snyder, other settlers, called, knowing of father's intention of 



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