Chief Monoquet

KOSCIUSKO — Wondering what there is for the children to do on spring break? Bring them to the Old Jail Museum where they will view interesting displays about Kosciusko County’s history.

The museum has a special tour for kids – “Find Chief Monoquet.” A small photo of the Indian chief is located in five places throughout the museum. Find all five and win a prize.

Chief Monoquet was the most influential of the five chiefs residing in Kosciusko County at the time white people came to the county in 1832. His age was estimated as 60 years. This would place his birth at about 1772 near the beginning of the American Revolution.

His village contained about fifteen bark-covered wigwams, which were scattered randomly over three acres of land on the north bank of the Tippecanoe River on 15 N of Warsaw at Monoquet Road.

The Native Americans of Kosciusko County were forced to migrate to Kansas but Monoquet died before his band was removed. His death was attributed to poisoning which tribesmen thought was given to him by a Native American woman who had been visiting from Michigan.

When the squaw learned she was to die for killing the chief she left for Michigan. Two of Monoquet’s warriors followed her trail, found her one mile south of Leesburg and stabbed her to death to avenge her killing the chief. Whether the squaw really did poison the chief is not known.

Monoquet was given a Native American burial. They sat the body of the chief upright against a tree in a small meadow south of the Tippecanoe River. A fence of horizontal poles was constructed around him. His horse and dog were killed and placed beside him. The sorrowing Native Americans brought hunting arms, succotash and other food to the dead chief. His band of Native Americans was sent to Kansas in 1838.

The Old Jail Museum, located at 121 N. Indiana St., Warsaw, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The self-guided tours are by donation.