Shick Shack facts for kids

Shick Shack (born around 1727, died around 1835) was an important leader of the Potawatomi people in the 1800s. He was a chieftain, which is like a chief, for a group of Potawatomi living near the Illinois River. Shick Shack took part in several conflicts, including the Peoria War and the Black Hawk War.

He is also known for sharing stories about the history of the Potawatomi and Kickapoo tribes in Illinois. These stories tell about their lives before and during the early settlement of the area in the 1700s and early 1800s. Some stories say that Shick Shack and other warriors were involved in a battle at Starved Rock in 1769. Today, a tall hill called Shick Shack Hill in Cass County, Illinois is named after him. There is also a nature preserve called Shick Shack Sand Pond Nature Preserve in the same county.

Life as a Potawatomi Chieftain

As a chieftain living near the Illinois River, Shick Shack was involved in important events. He took part in the Peoria War. After this war, he was one of thirteen chieftains chosen to represent his people in a peace meeting.

Peace Treaty in St. Louis

In late 1813, Shick Shack and other leaders traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to make a peace treaty. They were escorted by a man named George Davenport. At the signing of the treaty, other important chiefs were there. These included Black Partridge, Senachwine, Comas, Crow, and Gomo.

Moving North with His Band

In 1827, Shick Shack and his group, which included about forty men plus women and children, moved north. They used an old trail to travel from Wethersfield Township to Prophetstown, Illinois. From there, they went to the Wisconsin hill country. This was one of the last times Native Americans used this old trail.

Sharing Tribal Stories

During the winter of 1830-1831, Shick Shack and his tribe were camped near Pike Creek. While hunting deer, they met a settler named Daniel Dimmick. Shick Shack told Dimmick a story about an Ottawa hunting party that was attacked by Illinoisians many years before. Many Ottawa were killed, and their war chief, Chief Pontiac, was hurt. This led to a long war between the tribes. The last of the Illinoisians were said to have been killed at Starved Rock in the 1760s.

Battles and Legends

Shick Shack also shared stories about major battles along the Illinois River. He spoke of a battle near Terre Haute, Indiana between his warriors and a rival chief named Sugar. Shick Shack led 300 warriors. After a long battle, only a few warriors survived. Another story says this battle happened in September 1775, in what is now Shades State Park.

A historian named Nehemiah Matson wrote about this battle. He compared it to a famous battle from the Bible. He even suggested that the number of fighters might have been changed to match the old legend.

Involvement in the Black Hawk War

In February 1832, Shick Shack and Senachwine attended a war council. This meeting was held at Indiantown, a large Potawatomi settlement. Leaders from the Potawatomi, Winnebago, Sauk, and Fox tribes were there.

Shick Shack may have stayed in the area during the Black Hawk War. Some believe he was the same chief who helped capture Black Hawk after his defeat at the Battle of Bad Axe. In 1832, Shick Shack was seen at Dixon's Ferry. He was friendly with the local people and visited old friends who were stationed there. He reportedly died some years later and was buried near Chandlerville, Illinois. He was one of the few Potawatomi chieftains buried near his native village.

Honoring Shick Shack's Legacy

On September 16, 1873, towns in LaSalle County, Illinois celebrated the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Starved Rock. They honored the French explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette. Shick Shack was also honored. His story, told to Daniel Dimmick, was retold in a speech called "A Legend of Starved Rock." This speech was given by Perry A. Armstrong, an author who wrote about the Black Hawk War. Armstrong said Shick Shack had told him the story when Armstrong was nine years old. Armstrong's speech was widely reported and became quite famous at the time.