When was it published?

January 13, 1838 in Alexandria Gazette

Domestic News January 13, 1838

Alexandria Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Disease Or Epidemic, Indian Affairs, Death Or Funeral

Q: What keywords are associated?

Smallpox, Winnebagoes, Sioux, Prairie Du Chien, O Wa Pe Shaw, Epidemic

Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia

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What is this article about?

Mr. Catlin reports on the severe smallpox outbreak among Winnebago and Sioux tribes at Prairie du Chien on the Upper Mississippi a year and a half ago, where every other man died, including Sioux chief O wa-pe-shaw and half his band, amid scenes of horror and despair.

Clipping

OCR Quality

85% Good

Full Text

Editor of the Star, speaking of the ravages of the smallpox among the Indians. Yorkin.—Mr. Catlin, in a letter to the says—'Only one year and a half ago I was at Prairie du Chien, on the Upper Mississippi, where I witnessed its frightful effects among the Winnebagoes and Sioux—every other man amongst them was slain by it; and O wa-pe-shaw, the greatest man of the Sioux with half of his band, died under the corners of fences. In little (horrid) groups, to which kindred ties held them in ghastly death, with their bodies swollen and covered with pustules—their eyes blinded—hideously howling their death song in utter despair—affectingly clinging to each others necks with one hand, and grasping bottles and tin pans of whiskey in the other!'

What sub-type of article is it?

Disease Or Epidemic Indian Affairs Death Or Funeral

What keywords are associated?

Smallpox Winnebagoes Sioux Prairie Du Chien O Wa Pe Shaw Epidemic

What entities or persons were involved?

Mr. Catlin O Wa Pe Shaw

Where did it happen?

Prairie Du Chien, Upper Mississippi

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Prairie Du Chien, Upper Mississippi

Event Date

One Year And A Half Ago

Key Persons

Mr. Catlin O Wa Pe Shaw

Outcome

every other man among the winnebagoes and sioux slain by smallpox; o wa-pe-shaw, the greatest man of the sioux, and half of his band died.

Event Details

Mr. Catlin witnessed the frightful effects of smallpox among the Winnebagoes and Sioux at Prairie du Chien, with victims dying in horrid groups, swollen and pustule-covered, blinded, howling death songs, clinging together while holding whiskey.