Journal

Description:	George Winters experiences in 1837 [probably written much later], AMs, 26 p. (in hard-covered book of lined paper; remaining pages blank; numbered by G.W., in pencil, p. 1-26) Recounting the history of the events of 1837. Judge Edmonds convened a court at Washington Hall to investigate complaints of treaty violations expressed on behalf of the Indians by G.W. Ewing. List of chiefs who participated; description of the courtroom and of the dress and appearance of the Indians. Description of an altercation between Ewing and another Indian trader. When G. W. arrived in Logansport, Edmonds assisted him in obtaining I-o-wa to sit for a portrait, which G.W. presented to Edmonds. G.W. established a studio near Ewing and Walkers trading post, and so had many opportunities to sketch Indians there. Indians were constantly in town; comments on their easy-going lifestyle, with little concern for time and much drinking and revelry at night. Description of Logansport in 1837: population of 1,000; the first bridges across the rivers were begun in this year; the town was picturesque, located between the two rivers, with islands dotting them. The building of the canal and the improvement of the Michigan Road to Indianapolis contributed to its later growth. At that time, its commerce was based upon the Indian trade, which was financed by the annual governmental payments to the Indians. The land had not been cultivated to any great extent, and the Miami National Reservation on the south side of the Wabash was completely forested. The Pottawattamis sold their treaty lands in 1836 and emigrated west in the fall of 1838. List of men prominent in the affairs of that time, including Tipton, Pepper, and many others. The Council at Kee-waw-knay was held shortly after Edmonds hearing, in July 1837, and the last payment to the Pottawattamis east of the Mississippi was made in November. While most whites wished them to depart, some traders wished them to remain. G.W. used his connection with Cols. Pepper and Sands and George Profit to facilitate his sketching Indians at the council, and the Indians grew to respect him and called him Pe-pone (Winter). Most had no objection to being sketched, although some were reluctant until they knew G.W. well. Most found it amusing. He sketched I-owa, M-jo-quis, Abraham Burnet, Knas-waw-kee, and others. Description of the Indian perception and appreciation of art, and difficulty in understanding perspective. Description of G.W.s journey, with Sands, Profit, and No-ta-quah, from Logansport to the Council grounds. Inserted between pages: Two small oval reproductions of paintings; four pages from Among the Trees (1867), a botanical essay.
Origin:	undated
Created By:	Winter, George, 1810-1876;
Publisher:	Tippecanoe County Historical Association
Source:	http://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/cdm/ref/collection/gwinter/id/1323
Collection:	George Winter
Copyright:	Images in the George Winter Collection should not be used without written permission from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. To obtain reproduction rights and prices, contact the Tippecanoe County Historical Association at info@tippecanoehistory.org
Subjects:	Winter, George, 1810-1876--Diaries Indians of North America--Indiana Potawatomi Indians

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