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Curer of THE Pottawattamie Inpraxs. In Correspondence With Nelson Prentiss, Esq. It will be remembered by the read ers of the Chicago papers during the Columbian Exposition, that Simon Pokegon, chief of the Pottawattamie Indians located in Michigan, read “The Red Man’s Columbian Greet ing” at the fair, and this fact recall ed to the mind of our townsman, Judge Prentiss, that in an early day in the settlement of this country, when the Pottawattamies were more numerous here than the while, he had had a thrilling over the Kankakee swamps, en joyed the hospitality of a“ kagon,” of that tribe, brought up at Pokagon’s village on the banks of English Lake, where, for two weeks he was royally enter tained in the wigwam of that noted chief, and then directed and assisted on his way. Mr. Prentiss surmised that his entertainer then was the father of the present Chief Pokagon, and with a view of learning the facta, wrote to Simon Pokagon on Wednes day, Nov. 8, detailing the circum stance. On Tuesday morning, Nov. 14, he received from the chief the following letter: “Hartworp, Mich., Nov. 10, ’93. Dear Sir.—Your much esteemed letter at hand. I am confident my father is the man you speak of stay ing with. I was then a boy. You must have led a good life or else_you could not write such a fine hand for one of your years. Will you please send me name of someone of the family you speak of that claimed, as you now think, to be acquainted with my mother. Also send me none of your leading paper. I enclose my picture. My father sold to U. S., in 1833, land where Chicago is, hence, on Chicago Day, I was honored at World’s Fair to first ring Liberty Bell, and speak for my people. See Inter-Ocean, Chicago, of 9th and 10th of Oct., or Tribune or Herald of that date. I enclose you some of our secient paper. Thanking you for writing me, and hoping to hear from you again, I am, Yours c. Simon Poxacon, Box 22, Hartford, Mich.” The picture of Chief Pokagon is that of a fine old gentleman, with the unmistakable features of his race. He is now sixty-three years old, and well preserved. He has a fair English education, and has studied Latin and Greek. The “ancient paper” he speaks of is a small tablet of the in ner bark of the white birch, and is very pliable and durable, and of the thickness of heavy writing paper. His address at Chicago is also print ed on the “Indian paper,” and tied into a tablet, a copy of which he en closed to Mr. Prentiss. It is entitled “The Red Man’s Retake,” and is an eloquent tribute to his people. Mr. Prentiss thinks of inviting Chief Po kagon to attend the next annual meeting of the Old Settlers of Noble county, and we hope he will do so. The old pioneers would give this no ble old red man a royal greeting.
Newspaper Details
Albion New Era
Albion, Indiana, US
Thu, Nov 23, 1893
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Jake M.
USA 07 Jun 2026
Other Publications Near Albion, Indiana
Albion Noble County Democrat
Albion Democrat
Albion Daily Record
Albion New Era
