The true northerner., 1899-02-01
JASON
DEATH OF SIMON POKAGON.
Aged chief of the Pottavatomie In
dian Passes Away-sketch
of His Life.

Benton Harbor, Jan. 2S.-The death
morning at his home north of Benton
1Iarbor, after many weeks of intense
suffering. Pokagon was given up to
die two months ago and for weeks the
faithful ones Of hisAtribe have sacri-
feed fuel and necessary home supplies
that the last days of their chief might
be spent in comfort.
[Smon Pokagon was christened at Bert
rand, Van Buren county, Mich. in 1929.
About % years ago he was made chief
OF the tribe OF the Pottawatomie Indians,
after his two elder brothers. Peter and
Francis, had held like positions and been
welcomed home 10 the happy hunting
grounds. Ii was Leopold Pokagon who, I'm
1885, signed the treaty made by the In
dians whereby Chicago came I'm possession
of the white man. In question over some
legal point in this treaty this tribe became
greatly worked up Is months ago. believing
there was i'm the heart of Chicago property
which could be proven was their own.
Pokagon made frequent trips 10 Chicago,
hired a special lawyer TO look into the mat
ter, but just before his death he became
convinced there was nothing in it. Chief
Pokagon spent many of the best years OF
his life In trying to collect from the gov
ernment the Pottawatomie claim OF over
100000, and two years ago the claim was
paid. 1t was Pokagon's wish that he
would live TO his people receive this
money and in this he was gratifel Polka
gon died in poverty.
The attention given the chief at the
worlds fair in 1898 would have turned
many a white mans head, but Pokagon re-
turned to his people with an idea that his
tribe might yet be made better When the
government turned over the immense
amount of money to the tribe two years
ago the chief called his men together and
tried to instill in their minds the necessity
Of building homes and raising crops The
carelessness OF the red man, his love for
firewater, and the craze TO excel his neigh
Dor In spending money for worthless things
soon used up each mans share and made
fat many a white mans purse.
After the 100000 that came from the gov
ernment was expended the tribe, which
now scattered through the southwestern
part of Michigan, became careless i'm their
habits, and in more cases than one threat
ened to leave the chief i'm his loneliness
! When il was found that little or perhaps no
money could be obtained from the Chicago
property i'm question the Indians blood be-
came more uneasy and for a year preceding
the chiefs death it was said a week never
passed but what some family sought his
door TO complain. For the last year the
citizens near and far from the chiefs home
have sent through reliable parties money
to the old man.
Pokagon has but one son, Charles who
| aspres TO rank first with the tribe. His wife
is but 80 years of age, and from her appear
ance has shared but little of the old chief
! tain's troubles. The chief i'm his life made
! frequent visits to the government schools
| at Lawrence, Kan, and through his efforts
! secured admittance for many of the chill
! dren of the Pottawatomie tribe. Some of
! the graduates from this school give the
! chief the credit OF their education. 1t is
| conceded by the men of this city with
whom the chief has transacted business
! for % years that had he been given the ad-
vantages of the race that imposed upon
him he would have been leader among
| the bright intellects Of to-day. The chief,
| like his forefathers, was exceedingly fond
| of drink. 1t is said when travelling he
never had cent, but was never a loss
for friend 10 supply his needs.I