Page 10 - RAGBRAI2009
P. 10
DAY 6 - OTTUMWA TO MT. PLEASANT
Sac and Mesk- Chief Wapello Chief Wapello died on
waki chiefs Keokuk Chief Keokuk the banks of Rock Creek
and Wapello each had in present day Keokuk
a large village where County. His body was
Ottumwa is today. Ap- returned to the Indian
proximately 4 miles Agency by ox cart. Ac-
southeast of Ottumwa cording to Wapello’s
is the town of Agency. wishes, he was buried
The town dates to 1838 at the agency beside the
when the U.S. Govern- grave of his friend, Gen-
ment established an eral Street. The graves
agency for the Sac and were not far from the
Meskwaki tribes, and old agency buildings.
appointed Joseph Street Following the 1842 sign-
as the agent. A black- ing of the treaties where
smith shop, a council the Sac and Meskwaki
house, and other build- sold their lands in Iowa
ings were erected. The to the government,
council house andAgent the tribes assigned the
Street’s house exist to- dwellings plus 640 acres
day as archaeological surrounding the agency
sites in farm fields. In toStreet’swidow. Today
1840 General Street the graves are protected
died and was buried at at Chief Wapello Memo-
the Agency. While on rial Park
a hunting trip in 1842
State Historical Museum
The State Historical Society of affiliation or marketing a cycling event
Iowa is seeking permanent dona- are of particular interest. Other
tions of ride-specific and team items will also be considered.
memorabilia from past or- If you have items for
ganized cycling events donations or would like
held in Iowa. Donated ar- further information please
tifacts will be incorporated contact:
into the State’s collection and
used in future interpretive ex- Jack Lufkin, Curator
hibits. T-Shirts, jerseys, patches, Email: jack.lufkin@iowa.gov
hats and other items identifying team Telephone: (515) 281-8295
Feedback is welcome at: www.IowaArchaeology.org
