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bode'wadmimo speak Potawatomi
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nIshnabe'k The People
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If you turn off the location and toolbar on your browser, you should be able to see the entire map at one time on your computer screen.
This map was adapted from a map created by Tom Hamilton for the
Fulton County Historical Society, Rochester, Indiana.
Our thanks to the
F.C.H.S. for their permission to use it.
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Tom Hamilton |
In September 1838 over 850 Potawatomi Indian people were rounded up and marched at gunpoint from their Indiana homeland. Many walked the 660 mile distance, which took two months. More than 40 died, mostly children, of typhoid fever and the stress of the forced removal. Their young priest, Rev. Benjamin M. Petit, S.J., also became ill on the trail and died at the Jesuit seminary in St Louis on February 10, 1839.
A third Trail of Death Commemorative Caravan traveled the route of the Trail of Death beginning September 21, 1998 at the Fulton County Historical Society museum four miles north of Rochester, Indiana on U.S. 31. Participants crossed Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and arrived at Osawatomie, Kansas, where the Trail of Death ended, on September 30. The Caravan visited most of the Trail of Death campsites. Many of the historical markers erected in 1997 and 1998 were dedicated as the Caravan passed. The group also visited Mound City and St. Marys, Kansas.
The Trail of Death has been declared a Regional Historic Trail through the efforts of the group that made the 1993 Commemorative Caravan. The required legislation was passed with the help of the four state historical societies and the state legislatures through which the trail passes.
A number of commemorative markers have been raised along the Trail of Death. Here is a complete list:
INDIANA Plymouth:
Chief Menominee statue, erected 1909 near Twin Lakes south of Plymouth, the only
statue of an Indian chief ever paid for by a state legislature. Located on S.
Peach Road, 5 miles west of U. S. 31. Metal plaque attached to a boulder marking the site of
Menominee's log chapel and village on 12th Road on north side of Twin Lakes,
about a half mile north of Menominee statue, and 1/10 mile west of S. Peach
Road. Metal sign on post on south side of 12th Road just
before it crosses State Road 17 - but this was not on the route of the Trail of
Death march. Erected 1949 by Marshall County Historical Society.
Rochester:
Chippewa-Nung Village and Trail of Death metal plaque on big boulder beside
bridge on Tippecanoe River two miles north of Rochester on Michigan Road (Old
31). Erected 1922 by Manitou Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution.
Trail of Death memorial on courthouse lawn has four
boulders with names of states they are from: Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
Kansas. A wooden post supports 2 plaques made of corian, a space-age plastic
that withstands 700 degrees; map and description of march through Rochester
Sept. 5, 1838, designed by Tom Hamilton, Potawatomi whose ancestor was on Trail
of Death. Marker sponsored by descendants of Che-shaw-gen and William O. Wamego
family, whose ancestors were on Trail of Death, and Indian Awareness Center of
Fulton County Historical Society, erected 1995. Trail of Death and
Father Benjamin M. Petit memorial in front of Fulton County Museum on U.S.31, 5
boulders, 2 plaques with map and story. Erected by Shirley Willard, Indian
Awareness Center of Fulton County Historical Society and Howard Kline, 1997.
Identical to plaques placed at Midwestern Jesuit Archives in St. Louis.
Designed by Tom Hamilton, descendant of Abram Burnett, Potawatomi on Trail of
Death who accompanied Father Petit from Kansas to St. Louis where Petit died in
1839. Metal plaque on boulder for first death on Trail of Death,
erected 1976 by Rochester Boy Scout Troop 285, located at Mud Creek on State
Road 25 about 5 miles south of Rochester. This was the Eagle Scout project of Allen
Willard. The plaque was pried off and stolen in 1989 but it was replaced in
1990 by the Indian Awareness Center of Fulton County Historical Society with
donations from interested persons. Logansport: Potawatomi Encampment on Trail of
Death, on grounds of Memorial Hospital, State Road 25, north
edge of town. Stone marker in hillside, erected by Cass County Historical
Society in 1988.
Carroll County: These historical markers were dedicated on Sunday,
July 12, 1998.
Winnemac's Old Village on Towpath Road, stone marker at 112 W., erected by Boy
Scout Crispin Andrews, 1997.
Commemoration "of the Trail of Death removal of Potawatomi and Miami Indians,"
wooden sign erected 1988 near route of the march, northeast of Delphi, on County
Road 800 West and 700 North, erected by Carroll County Historical Society.
Metal sign erected by Boy Scout Matt Trapp for Eagle award, Troup 144, 1996.
Pleasant Run north of Pittsburg at 800W and 550 N. Metal plaque on boulder
erected by Boy Scout Kris Cannon for Eagle award, Troop 144, 1996.
Battle Ground: plaque and map on boulder at
Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum. Sponsored by descendants of Abram Burnett and
erected 1996 by Girl Scout Troop 219. Lafayette: metal sign on boulder on County Road
500 North between Morehouse Road and 225 West just west of the Mt. Zion Church,
erected by Tipecanoe County Historical Association in 1988. Independence: words cut into boulder at Zachariah
Cicott Park north of town, erected by John Henry and Warren County Park board
1993. Williamsport: metal sign at Old Town Park on Main
and Old 2nd, erected 1996 by Phil High for Eagle project, and Boy Scout Troop
344. ILLINOIS Danville: metal plaque on boulder shaped like a
tomahawk, located in Ellsworth Park. It was erected in 1993 by Society of
Indian Lore. Catlin: metal plaque on boulder on Catlin
Historical Museum grounds. Erected by Paul Quick and Society of Indian Lore in
1993. Homer (called Davis Point in 1838 Trail of Death Diary):
metal plaque on boulder beside farm driveway on 1250N (Catlin-Homer Road)
1/10 mile east of 250E, 3.6 miles east of Homer. Erected in 1991 by Boy Scout
Andy Chase as Eagle Scout project. Sidney: metal plaque on boulder in Dunlap Woods
Park on Dunlap Woods Street north of East Main Street. Erected in 1991 by Boy
Scout Andy Chase as Eagle project. Sadorus: metal plaque on concrete in Lions Club
park. The marker was erected by Boy Scout John Housman for Eagle award in 1993.
Monticello (Pyatt's Point in 1838 Trail of Death Diary):
wooden sign located on west 100 block of Bridge Street. Erected in 1988
by Boy Scout Daniel Valentine for Eagle project. Sangamon River Crossing: near Monticello on Sangamon River, metal
plaque on boulder, erected by Boy Scout Ryan Berg for Eagle Scout project in
1993. Decatur: boulder with metal plaque, in Mueller
Park on north side of Lake Shore Drive, across from Lake Decatur near west end
of lake, erected by Zita and Bernard Wright, 1994. Springfield: metal plaque on boulder, 5319 Oak
Crest Road, across from the golf course. Erected by Springfield Chapter of
National Daughters of American Revolution, 1995. Wauline Quick headed project
committee. Riddle Hill: near McCoy's Mills encampment at New
Salem United Methodist Church on Old Jacksonville Road west of New Berlin.
Engraved stone erected 1996 by Rainbow Dancers Pow Wow. Island Grove: at Robert Hitt farm driveway on Old
Jacksonville Road on north side of highway a half mile west of Island Grove
Cemetery and church. Engraved stone erected 1996 by Rainbow Dancers Pow Wow.
Jacksonville: metal plaque on granite monument in
town square. Erected 1993 by Morgan County Historical Society, president Vern
Fernandes. Exeter: metal plaque on granite monument in town
park. The marker was erected by Mayor Roger Lovelace and Exeter people in 1993.
Naples A new historical marker was dedicated on September 26, 1998.
Liberty A new historical marker was dedicated on Sept. 26, 1998.
The campsite was called Hobson's Choice in the Trail of Death diary, since it
was barren of everything but grass, brush and weeds. The reference is to a
famous line by Thomas Ward, a contemporary of William Shakespeare: "When to
elect there is but one, 'Tis Hobson's Choice; take that or none."
Mill Creek A new historical marker was dedicated on September 26, 1998. Quincy: boulder with metal plaque, in front of
St. Boniface Church, 117 N. 7th st., erected 1995 by descendants of Theresa
Slavin, a little girl on the Trail of Death. Potawatomi attended Mass there in
1838 on Trail of Death. Jerry Pearl hauled the boulder from family farm at St.
Marys, Kansas. MISSOURI Palmyra: metal plaque on boulder, south side of
Hardee's Restaurant, 500 E. Main Cross Street, on west side of I-61, erected by
Hardee's's owners Spike and Stan Ehrhardt in 1995. Paris: metal plaque on cement (flat on ground) by
Monroe County courthouse, sponsored by Monroe County Historical Society and paid
for by Lee and Vesta Boyland as donation. Erected in 1988.
Huntsville: on courthouse square, erected 1997 by Huntsville Historical
Society. Keytesville: in Sterling Price Park, boulder
donated by Harvey and Juanita Grotjan, plaque donated by Kalene and Rick
Summerville, Berry Funeral Parlor, erected 1993. Independence: words cut in stone monument in
Pioneer Spring Park. The marker was erected by Boy Scout Matt Moreno for Eagle
project with assistance by Maryann Bell, Regional Representative of Citizen Potawatomi Nation, erected in 1993.
St. Louis Trail of Death and Father Benjamin Petit memorial at Midwestern
Jesuit Archives, 4511 West Pine Blvd. Erected 1998 by Father William B. Faherty
of Midwestern Jesuit Archives and Howard Kline in memory of his Potawatomi
grandfather, Adam Fox. Two plaques (map and story) designed by Tom Hamilton,
descendant of Abram Burnett who accompanied Father Petit from Kansas to St.
Louis, where Father Petit died. KANSAS Paola (called Bulltown in 1838 Trail of Death diary):
metal plaque on flat cement square slightly raised off the ground in Park
Square, northeast of fountain. Erected 1995 by Miami County Historical Society.
Bernice Stephenson headed committee. Osawatomie: boulder with metal plaque in front of
Old Land Office on north 6th Street, erected 1995 by Osawatomie Historical
Society and Ron Morris, Boy Scout. Marilyn Mullins headed the project
committee. Centerville: St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial Park
at former St. Mary's Sugar Creek Mission on Keokuk Road 5.5 miles west of
Highway 7. Located 3 miles south of Centerville or 20 miles south of
Osawatomie. This is a 450 acre Catholic retreat. The Potawatomi who survived the Trail of Death went from Osawatomie to St Mary's and lived there for the next 10 years. Sister
Philippine Duchesne, who taught the Potawatomi, became known as "she who prays
always," and was canonized in 1988. A big circular altar and 30 ft. tall metal
cross were erected in 1988. Also 14 Stations of the Cross, many religious
pictures made in stone, and wooden signs telling about the Indian People are in
place. The walls of the log buildings are outlined by white stones, including
the chapel, school, and dormitories for both boys and girls. Father Robert
Pool, formerly of St. Phillip Neri Church, Osawatomie, was in charge of these
memorial projects. There are four Trail of Death markers at the park, all
erected by Bob White and other Catholics and volunteers. Wooden sign erected 1988 for 150th anniversary of Trail
of Death. The sign is at the entrance to the St. Philippine Duchesne Memorial
Park. Memorial wall of field stones constructed in 1989. Wall
has six glass windows showing six wooden plaques made by Bill Paxson,
Logansport, Indiana, containing condensed version of 1838 Trail of Death Diary,
donated by Indian Awareness Center of Fulton County (Indiana) Historical
Society. Seven wooden crosses, erected 1988, each with a metal
sign listing names of Potawatomi who died at this mission 1837 - 1849. Other
Potawatomi were removed from Northern Indiana in 1837 and later, lived and died
here. Trail of Death map on large stone, erected 1994.
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bode'wadmimo speak Potawatomi
mzenegenek books nizhokmake'wen resources/help |
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nIshnabe'k The People
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