Unknown County GaArchives History .....Perry, Black Hawk War and Steel Dust 1800's ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Colonel R.H. Bain bainauction@plateautel.net June 30, 2004, 11:37 am This story has to begin in what we call the Midwest states. But I speak 1800's and this story tells from the early archives of the 1800's. The war of 1812 had concluded with the invention of the steam engine by Robert Fulton. The entire world wanted this information, just how it worked and could we see one to develop this means of transportation in our country? Time tells us that indeed after the Savannah crossed the ocean in 1819, steamships could not be kept a secret, especially to James M. Perry. He could see in the horizon the vast amount of wealth he could make by having this information. Perry was a Captain on a Yankee chipper ship for many years sailing in Her Majesty Royal Navy. Perry owned his own ship. An engineer by trade he could draw up the plans and sell them for quite a profit. He had the contacts with England but they were not buying as the United States and the Adams Family would see that England would be provided these plans for a hefty sum. But Perry had traveled to many ports and had cross the ocean most all his life. His ship would become a thing of the past with the steam engine, so Capitan James Perry sold the ship he so loved to begin a new destiny; selling information for wealth. But was this not treason against the United States? It was free enterprise to copy the plans and get rich. Yes, but in this age and period many con men, explores and outlaws were wanted in the east would cross the Mississippi River into the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase, a way to disappear into the west; a place with very few inhabitants, except Indians. These Indians of the west were of spirit; they loved the land and lived simple lives. Man kept attempting to build a trust with them, claiming their land and pushing the Indians west ward. Destroying their very existence, breaking the treaties, and killing theirs animals (buffalo) that made up their very existence. In history it speaks of the Black Hawk War we will just touch on how the Sac and Fox Nation were nearly wiped out, eventually were driven to Oklahoma. The Sac n Fox nation produced one of the world greatest Indian athletes of all time, Jim Thorpe. Also around Shawnee was an obscure physician named Brewster Higley who was the author of one of America's most famous songs, "Home on the Range". Oklahoma played an important part to Perry but also in the expansion of the "Highway to the West." James Perry eventually took up with a Choctaw Indian princess and became important in society. The chief's son-in law could now proceed to seek more fortune, especially now with horses. Perry knew Jim Bridger well and had sold many pelts for him to Europe. Bricker would help him get across the Mississippi River and that is what he did. Near the Arkansas River word got out of fine stock headed to Nuevo Mexico to the sea of grass on the Spanish Land Grants. Perry caught a boat just to see such fine animals Lucien Maxwell had brought to the blacksmith, Senor Gallegos at Fort Smith to have his heart brand placed on. Perry was envious of Bonaparte Maxwell fine line of thoroughbreds out of the famous Ireland horse "Blair". Not wanted to be recognized Perry began a hunt using the name "Middleton", for American bred horses that were as good a quality. In the Battle of Tippecanoe, the Indiana Territorial Governor had bought three million acres of land for a penny an acre which the Shawnees had not agreed to, so this battle between the white man and Indians occurred in 1811. The story got even got more intense, which brought on the Black Hawk War of 1832; Black Hawk led some 1,000 Sauk and Fox Indians across the Mississippi River to Rock Country of Illinois. They insisted the "land can not be sold," and that "nothing can be sold but such things as can be carried away," Black Hawk sought to reclaim their land. This war wiped out most all the Sauk & Fox Indians with the Sioux Tribe claimed the women and James Perry claiming the fine animals of the tribe for the Choctaw Tribe. History tells us that revenge was done as the Choctaw nation was nearly exterminated some thirty years later with one of man's plagues sent to the Choctaws by the Sauk and Fox Indians squaws. Although Middleton Perry wife and family passed on he left Oklahoma for Trinity with a Doctor named Greene. There he recovered and went back to being a white man and raising racing horses. He remembered the family's heritage of racing in Saratoga Springs in upstate New York when living in Maryland during the winter months. Middleton never used the name James Perry after leaving Oklahoma. It was a past he wanted to forget. Indian folklore tells us Perry just couldn't stand to be treated like an Indian and placed on the reservation. Middleton friend Sam Houston really appreciated Perry gift (which we think it was one of the Chief Black Hawk's horses) and ability to vouch for Middleton Perry that he wasn't Chief James Perry when he would be recognized. If I could know the real where about of J. Middleton Perry grave, then we all could better understand a man with so much deception. Yet he is said to have the Steel Dust lineage in Trinity County and raced them until he was hurt in the 1860's. I know as an author of 1800's history, I did many interviews telling the same fact that Steel Dust (El Fiero) did exist here in New Mexico at Gallegos near Logan, New Mexico. N.T. Baca, (from Gallegos) last remaining kin speak about Old Mike, Little Mike, Hancock, Ticket, Star, Ute Chief, El Alazan, Clegg that existed in the late 1800's and early 1900's that really started the roots of the AQHA. Let's not forget the good mares as well Saá-ra, Sad Sally, Mama Mata, French Lady, Susie Q (Old Mike momma), Magee, Pápeles, Armijo Corázon (Kelly's old mare) and Gitts (Hendren's broodmare). We understand that Middleton Perry had good horses in Dallas for look at all the conflict he went through just to obtain running and breeding stock. But there are still many souls alive even today believe that the true Steel Dust of the AQHA came from New Mexico. 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