Trail of Tears, September 22, 1838

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 came in this evening. Water quite scarce.”

Sketch of Potawatomi, George Winter, 1838.


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