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Warren County Circuit Court
William Martin was shot and
scalped by two Indians, near Little York,
Warren county, August 9th, 1832. In their
report at the October term of the Warren
Circuit Court, the Grand jurors say:
"Six or seven Indians of Keokuk's band of
Sac and Fox Indians who were not included in
the war path under Black Hawk and other
chiefs of the Sac and Fox, nation, came over
from the western bank of the Mississippi
river to the inhabited parts of Warren
county, in said State. and unlawfully and
feloniously murdered the said William Martin
in the most barbarous manner. That the names
of the said Indians are unknown to the Grand
Jury. That two of the said Indians have been
heretofore given up by the chiefs of said
Indians, that they were confined in the Fort
at Rock Island for some time but have made
their escape, and are now at large in their
own country. That the Grand jury cannot now
find an indictment because the names of the
said Indiana are unknown to said jury. But
they recommend that the Governor of the
State be furnished with a copy of this
presentment, and that he be desired to
request of the President of the United
States that the whole of the said Indians
concerned in the said murder may be demanded
of the said Sac and Fox nation that they may
be indicted and punished for murder under
the authority of the laws of this State."
In compliance with the demand of the
President, the chiefs surrendered four
Indians, namely, with their Interpretations;
Sa-sa-pi-ma (he that troubleth). Ka-ke-mo
(he that speaks with something in his
mouth). I-o-nah (stay here). Wa-pa-sha-kon
(the white string).
Concerning which, the Grand jury at the June
term 1833 say:
"From an examination made by this Grand Jury
they we now able to state that the four
Indians lately surrendered by the chiefs at
the request of the President of the United
States, are not the real murderers of
Martin. The chiefs represent that at the
time the demand was made the real offenders
had escaped from the territory and power of
their nation. That the prisoners now in
custody volunteered themselves to be
surrendered in place of those who escaped,
and that from custom amongst Indians, they
supposed this would be a sufficient
compliance with the requisition of the
President. The Grand jury will not
positively say that the chiefs have
prevaricated, but they do say that the
demand already made has been eluded."
By a writ of habeas corpus, the four Indians
above named were brought before the judge,
presiding, Hon. Richard M. Young, June 14th,
1833, and released.
Indictment was returned against the real
murderers, Shash-quo-washi, Muck-que-che-qua,
Muck-qua-pal-ashah, and Was-a-wau-a-quot,
who, "not having the fear of God before
their eyes, but being moved and seduced by
the instigations of the devil," killed Wm.
Martin. The indictment was drawn by Thomas
Ford, States Attorney, and recites that
William Martin was shot a little below the
shoulder blade. Among the witnesses named
were Keokuk and Stabbing Chief. The guilty
parties were never arrested, and a "nolle
prosequi" was entered at the October term at
court, 1835. The books presented are for
their historical value only and are not the
opinions of the Webmasters of the site.
Autobiography of Black
Hawk or Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak,
Copyrighted By J. B. Patterson, 1882
Black Hawk Indian WarFree
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