“About 1831 the War Department
notified us that we were trespassing
upon the treaty between the govern
ment and the Indians, and that wo
must have lowa at the end of two
weeks. This order was obeyed with
so much reluctance, that, partly dev
ceived by the secret landing of the
forces sent to remove us, two of our
friends, Vosburg and Leeman, were
captured. These prisoners were tak
en to Galena, on their way. as was
alleged, to trial at Fort Crawford.—
This, however, was all pretence, —as
the sequel showed -got up to prevent
miners, if possible from repeating
iheir encroachments upon Indians.
While at Galena, the two prisoners
were purposly allowed to escape.—
! One of them, Samuel Leeman, was
really fast on foot, and although a
very corpulent man, was extreemly
hard to beat. In the confusion of
the moment, and believing himself
hotly pursued, he took the high prai
j rie ridge in the direction of Hard
| Scrabble ; and they say the way he
| ran, with hat, coat and boots off, was
! a caution to all competitors ever af
j terward. The race will live in song,
las long as miners continue to he
hards, and history will i:o doubt
! chronicle its renown,”
11. A. Wiitzie in Grant County
I llcnihl, -I ul> Ist, 1813.
11l El, A I - SIIOIIT It A NOE.
