SACS (SÁU-KIES).
A Tribe of Indians residing on the Upper Mississippi and Desmoines rivers. Present number (in 1840) about 5000. The smallpox carried off half their population a few years since; and a considerable number were destroyed in the “Black Hawk War” in 1832-3. This tribe shave the head, leaving only a small tuft of hair on the top, which is called the “scalplock.”
[The acute accent is used in the spelling of the Indian names merely to denote the emphasis.]
1. Kee-o-kúk, the Running Fox; present Chief of the Tribe. Shield on his arm and staff of office (sceptre) in his hand; necklace of grisly bear’s claws, over the skin of a white wolf, on his neck.
This man, during the Black Hawk War, kept two-thirds of the warriors of the tribe neutral, and was therefore appointed chief by General Scott, in treaty, with the consent of the nation.
2. Múk-a-tah-mish-o-káh-kaik, the Black Hawk; in his war dress and paint. Strings of wampum in his ears and on his neck, and his medicine-bag (the skin of the black hawk) on his arm.
This is the man famed as the conductor of the Black Hawk War. Painted at the close of the war, while he was a prisoner at Jefferson Barracks, in 1832.
3. Náh-se-ús-kuk, the Whirling Thunder; eldest son of Black Hawk.
A very handsome man. He distinguished himself in the Black Hawk War.