AND HE WAS A TRAITOR

Once a group of Russian tourists requested that I take them to a closed community, meaning a visit to Amish businesses and an Amish meal in southwest Michigan.  
In my usual manner, I pointed out and chatted about the scenery, facts about the area, monuments and markers, all of which they enjoyed. 

We we came to the Wahbememe marker I told the story of the Potawatomi Indian Chief Wahbemene, which translates into White Pigeon, the town we were passing through. We pulled over so we could get a better look at the monument and signage. 

I explained that the Chief was the key signer of the 1795 Treaty of Greenville, which placed Michigan's Great Lakes Forts in US hands.  The Indians suffered a tragic loss in a war at the Battle of the Fallen Timbers, which ended the Indian Wars in Ohio County. (It strictly limited parcels of land to the north and west. Mad Anthony Wayne represented the Government -- more on him in a future blog.) The southwest Michigan area was actually part of Ohio at one time I said.  

When all was said & done, the tribes were required to cede the area to the US Government.  It was a way to cease the fighting between the tribes Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanees, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatimas, Miamis, Eel Rivers, Weas, Kickapoos, Piankeshaws, and Kaskaskias. (note cards work wonders). In short, it was a horrible agreement to the Indians and one that they are doing something about to this day ... reacquiring their land and they are doing a good job at it.

There was a meeting of Chiefs in Detroit where Wahbememe learned that that town would be under attack. The Chief lived in peace with the settlers. When he thoroughly understood that the settlement would be decimated, he did something about it. So he quickly traveled from Detroit to White Pigeon, a good three hours to make the 150 miles  in a trusty vehicle with a full tank of gas on an expressway.  
However, expressways I-94 and 80/90 were not even a glint in anyone's eye. I explained how Michigan was the wild west of its day. 

So, the Chief departed and quickly made his way to White Pigeon. Some sources say he ran the entire way. Seriously? Ran? No water bottle or energy bar in tow! Granted there was the Sauk Trail (enroute to Chicago), but that was not an easy path to follow. 

But the Chief did travel swiftly.  He met with townspeople, collapsed and died from the strain. His remains are buried in the town. 

So the Russians thoughtfully listened to the tale and their response was unrehearsed and in unison. They rolled the R with gusto when they said: 

Traitor. He was a traitor.  

What an interesting perspective.  What do you think?