CPN Julie - People of the Place of the Fire

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Entries from the diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton, 30 Sept., 1838: Traveled 6 mi. to Island Grove. A child died. A dragoon (soldier) dismissed for intoxication. Painting of Na-ma-nis-cut, a Potawatomi Chief by James Otto Lewis

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 29 Sept. 1838 “In order to pass Springfield at as early an hour as possible, we rose before light, and at 8 o’clock were on our way. The Indians amongst whom a degree of pride was excited, arranged themselves into line, and with an unusual display of finery and gaudy trumpery marched through the streets of Springfield.” “The wayfares were covered with anxious spectators, so much so indeed as to threaten for a time to impede the progress of the Emigration. We passed clearly through however, and that too without the detention of a single Indian.” “At 3 we reached our present encampment, McCoy’s Mills, distant from last night’s camp - seventeen miles. This morning, Dr. Jerolaman on account of his continued indisposition, requested leave to remain in Springfield a few days to recruit. Permission was granted. Our march today was through a very dry region of country. We are now encamped on a stream affording little water.”  Pictures dep...

 Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton,  27 Sept.1838:  "Traveled 14 mi to, Long Point, Ill.  Indian men procuring so much game that rations not needed, camp is full of venison." Journal entry of Father Benjamin M. Petit; Sept. 27, 1838:   “I have for two successive days the happiness of celebrating Holy Mass among my good savage children. I administered to several who were dying and baptized a few more infants. We will leave six graves in the shadow of the cross when we quit this camp.” “We find ourselves on the grand prairies of Illinois under a burning sun and without shade from one camp to another. They are as vast as the ocean and the eye seeks in vain for a tree. Not a drop of water can be found – it is a veritable torture for our poor sick, some of whom die each day from weakness and fatigue.”   Drawing of Nene Ngot by Candi Wesaw. Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 26 Sept. 1838:...

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 23 Sept. 1838 “Traveled 15 mi. to Pyatt’s Point (now called Monticello, Illinois).  Left our encampment at 8 o’clock, having been detained for an hour at the request of the Rev. Petit, who desired to perform service. The day was clear and cold. Our way lay across another portion of Grand Prairie, which we found without timber for 15 miles. Physician report: “the number of sick is 40. There have been 2 deaths since my last report, and 4 or 5 may be considered immediately dangerous.” “A child died early this morning. One also died on the way to our present encampment. We are at present camped on the Sangamon River, along the banks of which our route tomorrow lies. Subsistence, beef and flour - better than usual. 29 sick persons behind in camp.” Watercolor of Iowah, emigrant on the Trail of Death; George Winter Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 24 - 25 Sept. 1838 “At 9 this morning we left Pyatt’s Point, Ill. and pr...

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 22 Sept. 1838 “Traveled 16 miles from Sidney to Sidoris’ Grove. At 8 o’clock, we left our encampment and entered the prairie at Sidney. The day was exceedingly cold. The night previous had brought us quite a heavy rain, and the morning came in cold and blustery. Our journey was immediately across the prairie, which at this point is entirely divested of timber.  “The emigrants suffered a good deal, but still appeared to be cheerful. The health of the camp continues to improve - not a death has occurred today, and the cool bracing weather will go far towards recruiting the health of the invalids. “A wagoner was discharged for drunkenness. Dissipation is almost entirely unknown in the camp. Tonight, however, 2 Indians were found to have possessed themselves of liquor and become intoxicated. They were arrested and put under guard. Some 6 or 8 persons were left at Davis’s Point this morning for want of the means of transportation. They...

 Potawatomi Trail of Death - Entries from the diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton, 21 Sept. 1838: “Traveled 12 mi. Left Davis’s encampment at half-past 9. At a little before 2 we reached Sidney, near the spot selected for encampment. The health of the Indians is the same - scarcely a change - the worst of the cases in most persons proves fatal. Physician reports for yesterday - their condition somewhat better. There are yet 50 sick in camp - 3 have died since my last report. The farther we get into the prairie the scarcer becomes water. Our present encampment is very poorly watered, and we are yet in the vicinity of timber. “A child died since we came into camp. This morning before we left the encampment of last night, a chief, Muk-kose, a man remarkable for his honesty and integrity, died after a few days’ sickness. Forage not so scarce as a few days ago. Bacon we occasionally procure - beef and flour, however, constitute our principal subsistence.”...

 Potawatomi Trail of Death - Entries from the diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton, 20th Sept. 1838: “Traveled 10 mi. to Davis’ Point (Illinois). Most volunteers discharged, 16 retained. Gen. Tipton left, Wm. Polke is now in charge.” Sketch of Wiss-So-Gay, George Winter, 1838.

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 19 Sept. 1838: "The business for which we remained yesterday in camp, is but half concluded. The sick require active treatment such as they cannot receive whilst on the march. We remain today. To-morrow morning most of the volunteers will be discharged, when we expect to proceed on our way. The report of the physicians varies but little from that of yesterday. They report six or eight cases as very dangerous. A child of six or eight years old died this evening. Also late at night an adult person.”  Sketch of Sun-Go-Waw, George Winter.  Several entries from George Winter journal: "Sun-go-waw was among the several Warriors, Chiefs, and Headmen who were made prisoners at the Catholic Mission at the Twin Lakes.” “Sun-go-waw was one of Father Petit’s converts, and of great usefulness to the Priest in his godly purposes and work in the Pottawattamie people. He acted in the capacity of Interpreter to the good father, with marked us...

 Potawatomi Trail of Death, Diary of William Polke, 18 Sept. 1838: “The accumulation of business, together with the discharge of a number of troops in service, rendered it necessary that we should remain in camp a day or so—beside which the weak condition of many of the emigrants demanded rest.” “During the evening a woman and a child died. A child was also born today. The health of the emigrants continues very bad. Scarcely a day but new cases are reported.” “In the main however, a daily improvement may be calculated upon. Dr. Jerolaman, the physician to the emigration arrived in camp today and commenced the discharge of his dut[ies]. He is assisted for the time by Dr. James H. Buell of Williamsport, Ia. whose services were enlisted during the absence of Dr. Jerolaman. In their report of today they say, there are at this time sixty-seven sick—of that number there are forty-seven cases of intermittent fever. Of the whole number eight may be considered dangerously ill. Flour, beef a...

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton,  17 Sept., 1838 6 mi., Sandusky’s Point, Illinois. Remained in camp due to illness. The sick left behind yesterday caught up, had new baby. 3 children and 2 adults died. A child was born. Dr. Jerolaman assisted by Dr. James Buell of Williamsport. Letter excerpt from Father Petit: “I found the camp, under a burning noonday sun, surrounded by soldiers – a scene of desolation with sick and dying people. Nearly all the children, weakened by the heat, had fallen into a state of complete languor and depression.  Watercolor "Pottawatamie Equestrians" by George Winter Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton,  16 Sept. 1838 “Travelled 15 mi., crossed state line at noon, camped at Danville, IL. Left 7 persons in camp, one is a woman about to give birth. Whole country afflicted with sickness. Father Petit baptized dying babies.”  Paint...

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 15 Sept. 1838 “Early on this morning we were on our way, and travelled without interruption unit 12 o’clock. When we arrived at an unhealthy and filthy looking stream, at which, from the reports of the citizens of the country, we were forced to encamp. The young men among the Indians during the afternoon, to the number of twenty-five, were permitted to go on a hunting excursion—a permission which they have for some time seemed to covet. We travelled today about 10 miles. Two small children died along the road.” Painting of Potawatomi's camping by George Winter.

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 14 Sept. 1838: “Left Lagrange encampment at an early hour and proceeded at a quick pace on our journey—passing over a dry and seemingly unhealthy portion of the country. Our party continues to mend in health. Occasionally however, and indeed not unfrequently, persons thro’ weariness and fatigue take sick along the route. This occupies much of our time. We place them in the wagons which are every day becoming more crowded and proceed.” “Reached our camp ground near Williamsport at nine p.m. As we advance farther into the country of the prairies water becomes more scarce—the streams are literally dried up, and we have reason to fear that unless soon refreshed with rain, our future marches will be attended with much pain, and suffering. To-day we made 18 miles. Two deaths took place this evening.” Sketch "Line of Mounted Figures" by George Winter, 1838.

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 12 Sept. 1838: “At half past 8 o’clock we struck our tents and started on the march. At 11 we reached and forded the Tippecanoe River. A little after 12 we passed the Battle Ground and at one arrived at our present encampment (Battle Ground).” “Distance from the encampment of yesterday fifteen miles. Immediately after our arrival the Indians were collected, and dry goods consisting of cloths, blankets, calicoes, etc., to the amount of $5469.81 were distributed among them.” “Nothing of importance occurred during the remainder of the day. The Indians appeared to be well satisfied with the distribution of the goods. A very old woman—the mother of the chief We-wiss-sa—said to be upwards of an hundred years old, died since coming into camp.” Painting of Chat-O-Nis-See by James Otto Lewis, 1836. Father Petit wrote: “The order of the march was as follows: the United States flag, carried by a dragoon (soldier); then one of the principal offic...

Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke Monday, 10 Sept. 1838 “The morning was early employed in preparations for a removal. Nothing of any note occurred during the morning. At 10 o’clock we got under way and proceeded on our journey, leaving behind us of sick and attendan[ts] two. The day was hot—we had the advantage [how]ever, of being in the vicinity of water, our route lying on the northern bank of the Wabash the whole distance.” “We reached our encampment at Winnemac’s old village, at about five o’clock a distance of perhaps 10 miles from the camp at Logan. Provisions of the same character of those of yesterday and the day previous. Bacon is not to be had—beef and flour constitutes generally our provisions. A child died since we came into camp. A man also died tonight after several days’ sickness.” Sketch “Camp in Clearing” George Winter Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 11 Sept. 1838: Covered 17 miles to Pleasant Run (near Wabash River).  During the march, W...

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 8 Sept. 1838:  49 of those left at Chippeway caught up. 4 children died. Mass conducted by Father Petit. Physicians report 300 cases of sickness so medical hospital erected.” Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 9 Sept. 1838:  “Sidney Williams and Wm. T. Polke, who had been dispatched in pursuit of the Indians, who escaped from Chippeway, returned, having reconnoitered the villages and cornfields on the reserve without receiving any intelligence of the fugitives. They brought into camp three Indian horses which they had found on the road. A child died since dark.”  Com-no-sa-qua, a Potawatomi chief

  Potawatomi Trail of Death, September 6: They reached Logansport, Indiana, where the encampment was described as "a scene of desolation". That fall, there was a terrible drought and what little water they found was usually stagnant, causing many of them to get sick with what was probably typhoid. 4 children died. Sympathetic white settlers gave them hoe-cakes to eat. The tribe was accompanied by a young priest, Father Benjamin M. Petit. One of the first things he did was to get the chiefs in the jail wagon released: “On my word the six chiefs who had till now been treated as prisoners of war were released and given the same kind of freedom which the rest of the tribe enjoyed.” Father Petit said Mass every day and baptized the babies who died, in his own words, “who with their first step passed from earthly exit to the heavenly sojourn.” Along the way, he kept a diary of the march, ministered to the tribe spiritually, emotionally and tending to the sick. The group remained at...

September 4  marked 182 years of the  beginning of the Trail of Death. Over 850 of our Potawatomi ancestors began out during the journey of approximately 660 miles over 61 days, more than 40 persons died, most of them children. There were actually three round ups and removals 1838-1839, but this one was the most well documented. Diary of William Polke, Trail of Death, Sept. 4, 1838:  “Left encampment at Twin Lakes at half past nine o’clock a.m. leaving behind on account of sickness of the chief San-ga-na, with his family consisting of thirteen persons, three of whom are very sick, and proceeded on our march. Messrs. Wheeler & Hopkins agree to furnish provisions during the sickness of the family, and until such time as San-ga-na may be able to report himself at the agency at Logansport. “The day was exceedingly sultry, and the roads choked up with dust. Travelling was attended with much distress on account of the scarcity of water. Reached Chippeway at sunset having tr...