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Indiana becomes a state
The Miami and the Potawatomi were the most numerous remaining tribes at the time. The Hoosier settlers had to depend on the Federal Government to make decisions regarding the Indian policy because it was a federal issue not a state issue. -
Indian Removal Act is signed
The Indian Removal Act was signed into law on May 28th by President Andrew Jackson authorizing the presidents to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands. -
The Indiana Potawatomi signed nine treaties
They ceded their remaining reservations in Indiana to the United States. The government paid them one dollar an acre for their land and gave them two years from the signing to move West of the Mississippi. -
The Treaty of Yellow River concluded
Three of the chiefs that signed it gave up most of their land on the parcel that included Chief Menominee's reservation a few miles north of Rochester, Indiana. -
deadline for the Potawatomi to vacate their land
Some had already left the area, but Menominee and other had not. Anticipating the Indians departure, white settlers started to arrive in the village and violence erupted. -
Trail of Death begins
The Trail of Death begins with more than 850 Indians under armed guard. The rebelious chiefs were confined to a cage-like wagon with bars. The weather was very hot and food was scarce. A baby died on the second day, the first of many deaths. -
Potawatomi crossed the Mississippi on steam ferry boats into Missouri.
It took the Indians almost a month to travel through Missouri which required crossing the Missouri River. -
The Indians first touched Kansas soil
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Reached final destination of Osawatomie, Kansas
They had traveled about 660 miles in two months. Around 40 of the 850 Indians died on this trip. Most of them were children. -
Life size statue of Menominee
The state put up a statue of Menominee at Twin Lakes, southeast of Plymouth, Indiana near the site of Menominee vanished village.
