What is andrew myrick?

Andrew Myrick was an American trader who lived during the 19th century. He is best known for his involvement in the Dakota War of 1862, a conflict between the Dakota people and the United States government.

Myrick was a trader who operated a store in Minnesota near the Lower Sioux Agency, where he sold goods to the Dakota people. During the summer of 1862, tensions between the Dakota people and the government escalated due to broken treaty promises, food shortages, and unfair treatment by white settlers.

As the conflict unfolded, Myrick famously refused to give credit to a group of Dakota individuals who were reportedly hungry and attempting to buy supplies from his store. He allegedly stated, "So far as I am concerned, if they are hungry, let them eat grass or their own dung." This callous remark further fueled the anger of the Dakota people and is believed to have contributed to the outbreak of violence.

In August 1862, the Dakota War erupted, leading to widespread violence and bloodshed in the region. Myrick was among the first casualties of the conflict, with his body later found mutilated near his store. His death became a symbol of the brutal and tragic consequences of the war.

Overall, Andrew Myrick's actions and words during the Dakota War of 1862 have made him a controversial figure in American history, with some viewing him as a victim of the conflict while others see him as a symbol of the injustices suffered by Native American communities.