The Settlers' Affidavits
While at Fort Armstrong the settlers had prepared another petition,
together with numerous affidavits, which they presented to General Gaines.
The following is the substance of the depositions of sundry citizens of
the Rock River settlement, taken
before William Brasher, J. P., and Joel Wells, J. P., on the 10th of June,
1831.
First. John Wells, John W. Spencer, Jonah H. Case, Rennah Wells, Samuel
Wells, Benjamin F. Pike, Joseph Danforth and Moses Johnson, before Wm.
Brazer, J. P., swear that the Sac Indians did through the last year
repeatedly threaten to kill them for being on their ground, and acted in
the most outrageous manner; threw down their fences, burnt or destroyed
their rails, turned horses into their cornfields and almost destroyed
their crops, stole their potatoes, killed and ate their hogs, shot arrows
into their cattle and put out their eyes, thereby rendering them useless
to their owners, saying the land was theirs, and that they had not sold
it. In April they ordered the deponents to leave their houses, and turned
from fifty to one hundred horses into one man's wheat field, threatening
that the fields should not be reaped, although said owners had purchased
the land of the United States government. 'The Indians also leveled deadly
weapons at the citizens, and on some occasions hurt some of the said
citizens, for attempting to prevent the destruction of their property.
Also that the Indians stole their horses, some of which were returned by
the agent six or eight months after, and in a miserable condition; others
were never heard of again. Nearly fifty Indians headed by their notorious
war chief, all armed and equipped for war, came to the house of Rennah
Wells, and ordered him to be off or they would kill him, which, for the
safety of his family, he obeyed. They then went to another house, rolled
out a barrel of whiskey and destroyed it, as well as committing many other
outrages to the knowledge of the deponents.
Second. John Wells, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that on the 30th day
of September, 1830, he saw two Sac Indians throwing down his fence, who
said they were doing it for the purpose of going through, in which they
persisted although forbidden by the owner, and when the owner attempted to
prevent them, one of them made a pass at him with his fist, and drew his
knife on him.
Third. Rennah and Samuel Wells, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that on
the 29th of May a party of Sac Indians, calling themselves chiefs, with
Black Hawk at their head, came to the house of Rennah Wells, near the
mouth of Rock River, and said that he must let the squaws cultivate his
field, which Wells refusing, they became much displeased, and told him to
go off; upon Wells' refusal they went away. That on the next day the same
chiefs, with about fifty warriors, came, armed, and told Wells that he
must move or they would cut the throats of himself and family, and making
motions to that effect, upon which said Wells told them that he would take
counsel and tell them at three o'clock the next day what would be his
determination. They consented, and went away; at the appointed time they
returned and told Wells that he must go off, which he accordingly did,
leaving all his possessions to the Indians.
Fourth. Nancy Thompson and Nancy Wells before W. J. Brasher, swore that in
October, 1830, two Indians residing in the village forty or fifty miles
above the mouth of Rock River, and called Sacs or Winnebagoes, came to the
house of Rennah Wells and commenced chasing some sheep, as if they would
kill them. Those Indians were ordered to desist, upon which they drew
their knives and made at the woman, who being alarmed, called for
assistance. Samuel Wells being sick in the house at the time, ran out with
a pitchfork, and the Indians pursued no farther. London L. Case heard the
alarm given, and joined. The Indians then returned to the river bank
eighty or one hundred yards distant; when Case, thinking they were still
in pursuit of the sheep, went to ascertain the truth, and coming near the
Indians they wounded him severely in three places with a knife and
tomahawk.
Fifth. Joseph Danforth, before Joel Wells, J. P., swore that he saw Sacs
at a fence belonging to John Wells, who forbid them going through, when
they continued throwing down the fence. Wells attempted to prevent them,
when one of the Indians struck him with his fist, and drew his knife.
Danforth got a stick, and the Indians making several attempts toward
Danforth, he (Danforth) knocked one of them down with his stick. The
Indian rose several times and made at Danforth with his knife, and finally
deserted the ground, leaving his knife.
Early Settlements of Rock County
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908