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Archiver > ILKNOX > 1999-11 > 0942250034


From: "Horace Foster" <>
Subject: Re: [ILKNOX-L] Potawatomi of Maquon
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:07:14 -0600


Patti--Thanks for the response-You have given me a place to begin. After
seeing the sign, I did a search, somewhere I came up with a map that showed
the trails the Native Americans used in Knox County.

Maquon has a library-has anyone spent time there?--if so, would you share a
bit about the materials available. When I went thru, on my way to Galesburg,
they were closed, and it was too late to stop on my way back home.
Jan
----- Original Message -----
From: Patti S <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 7:45 PM
Subject: Re: [ILKNOX-L] Potawatomi of Maquon


> At 09:16 PM 11/7/99 -0600, you wrote:
> >Driving thru Maquon, IL. I noticed a sign which mentioned a Potawatomi
> >village-Anyone familiar which the history of this village/group?
> >Jan
> >
> >
>
> Hi Jan
>
> sorry so late answering this...setting up new computer..
>
> In The Prairie Journal /Fall 1984 pg 19
> article Presence of the Past..
> in the middle of article....if you would like a copy email
> me privately....but to answer question...
>
> A sign on the edge of town proclaims Maquon " A Former Pottawattomi
> Indian Village". Before 1830,the Sac,Fox and Kickapoo Indians reportedly
> inhabited the area. In 1812 and 1813, two Army officers reported several
> Indian encampments " on the Mauonie and at Maqonia, which seemed to be
> deserted. " Maple decided these references were to Spoon River and Maquon,
> since no other places had these names.
>
> By 1830 , however, Avery Dalton observed that only a few hundred
> Pottawattomi Indians remained. These Pottawattomi, the Ottowas and the
> Chippewas belonged to the Ojibiwa tribe, who were in turn part of the
> Algonquins. Dalton said the Indians were "friendly and helpful, but great
> beggars." ...................
>
>
>
> according to Dalton, the Indians had summer camps near good fishing spots
> on Spoon River and winter camps in the timber. Both Dalton and Mrs Thurman
> learned to communicate with the Pottawattomi. By 1834, after the
Bklackhawk
> War, the Indians all had left the beautiful, unspoiled country. Dalton
> described bluestem grasses growing 10 feet high on the river bottom.
>
> In early histoies, opinion differed as to exactly where most of the
> Indians lived . Maple said "Amaquon village was situated on the southest
> quarter of section 4, Maquon tonwhip . It was located near a hill and near
> a fine spring
>
> Elderly residents in 1920's told of a community garden that was once east
> of the present highway Route 97 on the south edge of town.
>
> This is a 10-12 page article with pictures and a map....
> Hope this answers your question...will copy if you mail your
> address..
> Patti S.
>

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