Sarah Nį̄žuxōčgewį́ga (Drizzling Rain Woman) War Club (abt. 1855 - aft. 1927)

Born about 1855 in Wisconsin, United States [uncertain]

Wife of Jim War Club — married after 1898 in Wisconsin, United States

Died after 1927 after about age 72 in Wisconsin, United States [uncertain]

Sarah was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Sarah was born about 1855.

Name

Her Hocąk name is given as NeeZhooHootchKayWinKah, which is for Nį̄žuxōčgewį́ga, "Drizzling Rain Woman". Nį̄žúxōčge means "to drizzle", to which is appended -wį-, a feminine gender infix; and -ga, a definite article suffix used in personal names. The word nį̄žú means "rain"; xōč means "to be gray"; and -ge is a suffix meaning, "kind, type, or sort of thing". Nį̄žuxōčgewį́ga is a name in the Thunderbird Clan.

Marriage

Sarah's first husband had been a Longmarsh, and she had the following children with him (1905, 1910 censuses):

Barrett (d. May 1904)

Clay (b. 1889)

Mary (b. 1892)

John (b. Sep 1893)

Susie (b. 1897)

Since Clay bore the birth order name of Hagaga, "Third Son", we know that he had two older brothers, one of whom was Barrett. Therefore, there is one older son (b. bef. 1889) who is unaccounted for.

Her second marriage was to Jim Warclub, who was the leader of a small band that like to camp at Lake Koshkonong. (Skavlem, Wisc. State Journ.)

Probate Petition

Sarah laid claim to $21.00 from the estate of her son Barrett Longmarsh. (Prob. Pet.)

Residence

"In one of the lonesomest, most secluded spots on the northwestern shore of the lake in the midst of a wilderness of swampy wood, close beside the banks of Koshkonong creek, stands all that remains of Lake Koshkonong's last Indian village. ... Until within the last few years a small band of (Winnebago) from the northern part of the state have wintered here, but in the spring of 1895 they broke up camp for the last time and Koshkonong knows them no more. Their camp or village numbered five lodges and their band was composed of the members of three separate families. These were Charlie Decorah and his squaw. Charlie was about 50 years old, and the "medicine man" Moses Decorah, squaw and three papooses; Henry Decorah and squaw. Henry was the learned man of the party, and could read and write English fairly well; Charlie Green and squaw, and War Club, squaw and one papoose." (Skavlem) However, for one last time, War Club and his band returned to winter for the year 1920. (Wisc. St. Jour.)

Death

She passed away after 1927, since she is mentioned in the census of that year.

Sources

• Wisconsin, Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987. Wisconsin. County Court (Shawano County); Probate Place: Shawano, Wisconsin. Estate Case Files, Case No 616, 5 Nov 1904, Wisconsin County, District and Probate Courts.
• 1905 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 6. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1910 Indian census; Roll: M595_671; Line: 6; Agency: Wittenberg. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1916 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Line: 14; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1923 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Page: 60; Line: 11; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1927 Indian census; Roll: M595_570; Page: 62; Line: 15; Agency: Tomah. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• H. L. Skavlem, "The Archeology of the Lake Koshkonong Sites: The Village Sites," Wisconsin Archeologist, 7, #2 (April to June, 1908): 74-102 (100-102).
• "Ten Descendants of Famous Chief Camp at Lake Koshkonong. Band of Jim War Club, Remnant of Once Powerful Winnebago Tribe, Definitely Establishes Old Location of White Crow’s Village", The Wisconsin State Journal, Sunday, May 9, 1920, p. 4.