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One documented event is how Aptakisic helped save the lives of
the Blodgett family and other pioneers when he warned them of the
Fox Indians and their leader Black Hawk, who planned to defend
their land and in so doing, were going to attack settlers. The
Blodgetts lived west of Downers Grove at the time when Aptakisic
came to warn them and escort them with other settlers to Ft.
Dearborn. Following is part of one version of this story, with
dialogue most likely added by the granddaughter, Cora Blodgett,
who wrote the story down. Henry Blodgett tells the story differently
in his book.

“There was a war council called to meet at Half Day early in May of
1832. There were three chiefs, Waupansis (Waubonsee),
Shabana (Shabbona), and Aptakisic, who had smoked the pipe of
peace with Grandfather Blodgett many times. They were opposed
to war being made on the settlers, but Blackhawk won and all the
settlers between Chicago and the Rock River were to be attacked.
Aptakisic did not vote for the war, and when the council was ended
and they were to return to their tribes, Aptakisic left them and
hastened to the Hawley settlement. He arrived at Grandfather
Blodgett’s a little after noon the next day & told grandmother of the
decision, and that they must flee to Fort Dearborn. Grandmother
first prepared food for him and insisted on his resting and he then
rolled himself in his blanket and slept on the floor.

There were four children in the family, Henry, Israel, Mary and
Daniel. She sent Henry and Israel, aged nine and eleven, to warn
their neighbors of the danger and for them to collect their goods
and assemble at home at the earliest possible hour. Grandfather
was away from home and when he returned and learned the
conditions, grandmother was told that the oxen were on the prairie
and he would have to go in search of them. Food was prepared for
seven people and packed—their clothing and bedding—and all
stored in the wagon when Grandfather returned. The neighbors
assembled and about five o’clock the colony started on its journey
to Fort Dearborn under the guidance of Aptakisic. They were
obliged to make long detours to avoid timber and high grass for
fear of ambush. They rested a few hours during the night and
arrived at what is now Riverside about ten o’clock the following
day. The men and oxen were almost exhausted and had to have
rest and food at that time. The women of the party had to use long
switches to keep the flies from the men and cattle, so they could
rest and make it possible to continue their journey.

About sundown they arrived at the Chicago River and crossed by
ferry. When they were ready to cross Aptakisic took Grandfather’s
hand and said: “I have brought you to your people and safety, and
now I return to my brothers.”

Potawatomi Woman
One of the unsung heroines is a Potawatomi woman with a name
we will never know. She also saved the life of the Blodgett son,
Henry, who may not have otherwise lived after a rattlesnake bite.
This story is brief but has much to offer in our understanding of the
Potawatomi people, of women, and of pioneer life, not to mention
the use of native plants by American Indians. It starts with a
Potawatomi Indian seeing that Israel Jr. had tried to use a plant
after Henry had been bitten, and as told by Israel, Jr.:

“She snatched it out of my hands and threw it away, saying, “no
good.” Then she took my hoe and ran off and dug up another kind
of weed. She bound the leaf about Henry’s leg above the swelling
and while the foot and leg swelled up terribly, the swelling did not
go above that leaf. She made a poultice out of another kind of
weed and some tea and he got well.”

Potawatomi Historians
Susan Campbell, B.A. in Theology and
George Godfrey, Ph.D.

What has been wonderful for our group
has been getting to know two people of
Potawatomi heritage who have been very
helpful in teaching us about the history of
the Potawatomi. We thank them for their
generous spirit. Susan Campbell has
been a friend and teacher from the very
beginning, and has co-author with Shirley
Willard their book, Potawatomi Trail of
Death – 1838 Removal from Indiana
to Kansas.

George Godfrey shared with us a
remarkable story about American Indians
helping people who were escaping
slavery, which links the two areas of
history. He is a direct descendant of Chief
Shabonna, who was Dr. Godfrey’s great,
great, great, great grandfather. We are
fortunate to have them both share with our
community. Watch for future notices on
their visits!

Our Joint Effort
Our group, Blodgett
Legacy Partnership,
Inc., has partnered
with Susan, George,
and Shirley of the
Potawatomi Trail of
Death Association to
help raise funds for road
signs which commemorate this forced
removal. FOUR STATE LEGISLATURES,
including the Illinois State Legislature,
have designated the Potawatomi Trail of
Death as a REGIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL.
Boulders with historical information have
already been placed throughout all four
states as a result of this 20 year effort by
the Potawatomi Trail of Death Association
and many others, including the Girl
Scouts, Boy Scouts, DAR groups,
Kiwanas, historical societies, and more.

Our group is helping to organize for road
signs for Illinois. They were designed by
Potawatomi artist, David Anderson in
Seattle, WA, and the signs will help mark
the Illinois portion of the entire trail all the
way from Indiana to Kansas. A $50
donation will purchase one sign, and four
signs will allow a person’s name or group
name to be put on the sign. Signs with
arrows are also needed and can be
purchased for $7.50. All the signs will help
anyone traveling to follow the trail and
learn more about this remarkable history.
Contact www.potawatomi-tda.org. Shirley
Willard, Treasurer of the Potawatomi Trail
of Death Association and historian of
Fulton County, IN, is in charge of ordering
and erecting signs.

September 2008 Caravan
Every five years a caravan follows the
Potawatomi Trail of Death to remember
and commemorate the removal. This is
the year!! Some of our members are
joining in, and it is open to all interested in
this history. Contact www.potawatomi-tda.
org. or email us for more information.

Blach Hawk

Shabana

Waubonsee

The Potawatomi
Downers Grove was founded in 1832, but who lived here before the pioneers arrived? This
was Potawatomi land, and Potawatomi Indians lived in camps in the DuPage area and further.
Their lands extended from Michigan to Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Chicago is a
Potawatomi word as do many other words have Potawatomi origins.

Israel and Avis Blodgett were friends with three different Potawatomi leaders: Aptakisic
(Aptikegik), Shabonna, and Waubonsee. Stories have been passed down regarding these
friendships and discussed in the book, The Autobiography of Henry W. Blodgett, 1906.

The Potawatomi Help Save the Blodgett’s Lives
If it had not been for this caring Potawatomi friend, Aptakisic, the Blodgetts may never have had
an 1846 home in Downers Grove that was part of the Underground Railroad. If a Potawatomi
woman riding by had not stopped to help, Henry may not have lived and written his
autobiography, which is the document authenticating the 1846 house as part of the
Underground Railroad. History is interconnected as the stories below demonstrate.

Removal: Tragic Part of Potawatomi &
American History
There is a list of those removed in 1837 from this region of Illinois and both Aptakisic and
Shabonna are on this removal list. Taken to Iowa and ultimately to Kansas, these friends of
the Blodgett’s had to leave their land, and repeated removals occurred until few Potawatomi
remained in Illinois and other states. People lost their lives on these removals: especially
children and elders were at risk. It was a tragic time in history. Most Americans today have
heard of the Trail of Tears for the Cherokee, but few know of the removals in Illinois, such as
the Potawatomi Trail of Death and their forced removal from Indiana, through Illinois, and
Missouri to Kansas.

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