Earliest Inhabitants
Camp Silos
" The Sioux had musical names for many of the streams. They called the Missouri
Minne-so-si-ah and the Iowa Eah-kon-ka." Algona Upper Des Moines
The Sioux Indians lived in the north central section of Iowa before the white settlers moved in. The Sioux Indians were a nomadic people which meant that they didn't build permanent homes because they moved around a lot. Generally, they would follow food sources such as herds of buffalo or elk. They also fished in rivers and creeks in the area.
Several years before the Call brothers came to Iowa, the United States government had signed an agreement (treaty) with the Sioux. It was called the Treaty of 1851. In this treaty, the government purchased all claims to Sioux lands. The Sioux were unhappy to leave their ancestral hunting grounds, fishing streams and lakes. They had difficulty adjusting to the fact that they were not welcome on their former lands.
In 1854, Chief Inkpadutah's brother, Sidominadotah was killed by a settler east of Fort Dodge. When the Call brothers passed through Fort Dodge on July of 1854, they were warned not to go north because the Sioux were looking to avenge Sidominadotah's death. Asa and Ambrose did proceed north to the present site of Algona and did have any difficulties with the Sioux at that time. Later, there were many unsettling meetings/exchanges between the settlers and the Sioux. Tensions ran high. Both groups feared and resented each other. Sometimes the fear and anger resulted in deadly encounters.
Minne-so-si-ah and the Iowa Eah-kon-ka." Algona Upper Des Moines
The Sioux Indians lived in the north central section of Iowa before the white settlers moved in. The Sioux Indians were a nomadic people which meant that they didn't build permanent homes because they moved around a lot. Generally, they would follow food sources such as herds of buffalo or elk. They also fished in rivers and creeks in the area.
Several years before the Call brothers came to Iowa, the United States government had signed an agreement (treaty) with the Sioux. It was called the Treaty of 1851. In this treaty, the government purchased all claims to Sioux lands. The Sioux were unhappy to leave their ancestral hunting grounds, fishing streams and lakes. They had difficulty adjusting to the fact that they were not welcome on their former lands.
In 1854, Chief Inkpadutah's brother, Sidominadotah was killed by a settler east of Fort Dodge. When the Call brothers passed through Fort Dodge on July of 1854, they were warned not to go north because the Sioux were looking to avenge Sidominadotah's death. Asa and Ambrose did proceed north to the present site of Algona and did have any difficulties with the Sioux at that time. Later, there were many unsettling meetings/exchanges between the settlers and the Sioux. Tensions ran high. Both groups feared and resented each other. Sometimes the fear and anger resulted in deadly encounters.
Links:
This site offers background information on the incident at Spirit Lake in 1857.
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