CPN Julie - People of the Place of the Fire

They arrived at Pottawattomie Creek in Osawatomie, Kansas, on November 4, 1838. Per the treaty, houses were supposed to be built and ready but when they arrived, there were no houses. Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 4 Nov. 1838: “The day was consumed in making settlements with the officers. During the afternoon a considerable number of the Indians assembled at headquarters and expressed a desire to be heard in a speech.” “Pe-pish-kay rose and in substance said – ‘That they had now arrived at their journey’s end—that the government must now be satisfied. They had been taken from homes affording them plenty, and brought to a desert—a wilderness—and were now to be scattered and left as the husbandman scatters his seed." The Agent, Mr. Davis, they knew not, and his absence would not afford them an opportunity of deciding what they might expect from him. The Indians did not think such treatment of a character with that promised them in their treaties. They hoped Jud...

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 3 Nov.1838: “At an early hour we left our encampment at Oak Grove, and travelled until two o’clock when we reached a settlement of Wea Indians on Bull creek, and camped adjoining Bulltown.” “Our journey was pleasant, and was marked by the anxiety of the Indians to push forward and see their friends. During the evening an attempt was made to enroll the Indians, but not very successfully. They did not seem (or would not) to understand or appreciate the object.” “Late in the evening several of the chiefs came to headquarters and requested to remain in camp tomorrow. But the journey being so nearly completed, and the scarcity of forage and provisions induced the conductor to deny their request, and insist upon travelling.”

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Diary of William Polke, 2 Nov. 1838: "Left Independence  a little after 9 oclk—one hour or so having been allowed the Indians for their religious exercises. This morning broke upon us rainy and disagreeable. Anxious to complete the journey now so near at an end." "The rain increasing as we advanced. We crossed the (Kansas) boundary line, and found ourselves in the heart of a prairie, with scarcely any traces to mark our route. The journey was continued and at 12 rock  a large portion of the emigrants on horseback became detached from the wagons, and wandered over the prairie four hours in search of the trace of the wagons. It was found at length, and we reached the camp ground set-out for at 3 o'clk." "We are now but twelve miles from the encampment of yesterday. Our encampment is known as the North Fork of Blue River. Subsistence beef and corn."   Drawing by Candi Wesaw.  

Potawatomi Trail of Death - Entries from the diary of Jesse C. Douglas, Enrolling Agent under General Tipton, 1 Nov. 1838: "Traveled 16 mi. to Blue River - south of Independence. Indians were allowed 1 hour for religious exercise." "Eight Potawatomi Women" by George Winter