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The Chief's Refusal to Move
Chief Menominee didn’t want to sell his land and move west of the Mississippi River, and hundreds of other Potawatomi who also didn’t want to leave came to his village to stay, and the village was populated a lot more than it was. -
The "Whiskey Treaties"
Abel C. Pepper secured treaties that forced the Native Americans to move west, known as the “whiskey treaties,” because whiskey was given to the Indians so that they would sign them. -
The Emigration of a Smaller Group of Potawatomi Indians
A group of Potawatomi emigrated from Logansport, Indiana, to eastern Kansas, and this group included the chiefs Kee-wau-nay, Ne-bash, Pash-po-ho and Nas-waw-kay. -
A Priest for the Small Group
Upon arrival, the smaller group issued a call for a priest, and Father Christian Hoecken established St. Mary’s Mission at Sugar Creek. -
General John Tipton
General John Tipton was appointed to be in charge of the second Potawatomi removal by Indiana Governor David Wallace. -
The Trap
Tipton set up a meeting place for the Potawatomi Indians in a chapel, and during the meeting Tipton captured the Indians and when they objected, they were “tied like a dog.” -
The Trail Begins
The march began on September 4th, 1838, and Father Benjamin Marie Petit ended up baptizing many of the Indians, and eventually he was placed in charge of the sick even though he couldn’t do much besides help them get rest. -
The Trail Ends
They arrived at their destination of November 4th, 1838, and many Potawatomi Indians died, also, Father Benjamin Marie Petit ended up getting sick with the fever and he died on his way back to St. Louis.
