Post by prophetstownjesse on Dec 25, 2014 12:21:06 GMT -5
Through my research of the Ho-Chunk village that existed in my area, I keep finding it referenced as being Wittico's (alternate spellings of weteco, wetico, wetcotes). As I investigate that name further I come up with versions of wihtiko, windingo, wendigo, etc. that all lead to a cannibal spirit that invade a persons body that cause a person to commit murder. I've also seen a definition that loosely means heart eater.
In George Davenport's account of visiting the Winnebago village approx. 50 miles up Rock River, he also places Crane (who is also listed as chief by early settlers in Bent Wilson History of Whiteside County Prophetstown) at the same village as Wittico, but tells they are two separate people. In the treaty of 1829, listed 3rd is a man listed as Woank-shik-rootsh-kay, Man Eater. Man eater is also found in Neither White Nor Indians in application for money set aside for half bloods as the father in law of a man named Stoudard. This application states he was a prominent Rock River Chief. Could Man Eater be the "cannibal" Wittico? If so, is he related to the Crane?
In George Davenport's account of visiting the Winnebago village approx. 50 miles up Rock River, he also places Crane (who is also listed as chief by early settlers in Bent Wilson History of Whiteside County Prophetstown) at the same village as Wittico, but tells they are two separate people. In the treaty of 1829, listed 3rd is a man listed as Woank-shik-rootsh-kay, Man Eater. Man eater is also found in Neither White Nor Indians in application for money set aside for half bloods as the father in law of a man named Stoudard. This application states he was a prominent Rock River Chief. Could Man Eater be the "cannibal" Wittico? If so, is he related to the Crane?