The Native American

Author unknown

   For tens of thousands of years the North Americans lived serenely on the prairies and forests of Washington County in harmony with nature.  They developed a tribal life style noted for its dignity patience, and family reliance.  They had unusual capacity for endurance, strength and bravery as well as native ingenuity that taught them how best to cope with extremes of climate.

   The recent tribes that left the greatest impact on our county's history were the Sac and Fox, as these Native Americans developed culture, they acquired skills both practical and artistic which they passed on to later generations.  Many of the skills adapted by the first European settlers later became part of their culture.

Quotes from

Litter's History of Washington County

   "The Indians and white settlers in our county were generally very friendly in the early times, visited each other frequently and traded goods each had to sell".

   "A village of 300 Indians, located a mile southwest of Washington, possibly under Chief Poweshiek, thrived until 1840."

   "Their dwellings were cheaply constructed, made by placing post on the ground; enclosing the sides with bark peeled from trees.  The fire pot was in the center of the room with a hole left for the escape of smoke.  Furs and skins covered the floor."

   "Fields were planted to corn and beans, which were shelled, dried, placed in sacks made of bark or skins, buried in a hole 6 to 8 ft. deep lined with dried bark and covered with bark."

   "A village of 500 peaceful friendly Indians was located at Sandy Hook.  Man-i-to-ka., medicine man, treated both whites and Indians".