CHICAGO (July 19, 2024) – A historic letter, penned in 1898 by famed Potawatomi leader Simon Pokagon, has been donated to the Chicago History Museum by trustee John Low. The letter is important because it may shed light on Pokagon’s literary contributions, including whether he was the original author of the acclaimed book “Queen of the Woods.”.
In addition to the donation of the letter, Low and his wife, Barbara, were recognized at a luncheon hosted by Chicago History Museum president & CEO Donald Lassere for their recent gift to the Museum of $50,000 from the Joseph N. & Rosemary E. Low Foundation. The gift was made in memory of John Low’s mentor, the late Raymond D. Fogelson, renowned ethnohistorian and anthropology professor at the University of Chicago.
Museum president Lassere thanked trustee Low and his family for the contributions. “We are grateful to John and his family for this generous donation to the Museum and honored that John chose to have the Chicago History Museum be the new home for this historic letter—a document that is a part of our local history,” Lassere noted. “This letter will be available to current and future descendants of the Pokagon Potawatomi people—and others who want to learn more about the first inhabitants of Chicago and the Great Lakes region.”
The letter was presented to the Museum by Low, author, historian and professor at The Ohio State University. Low is also a citizen of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi nation, and his research on the tribe’s history led him to purchase the letter after his friend and fellow tribe member Mike Winchester spotted it listed in an online auction. “It is not often that you find an historic source-document like this come for sale,” Low said. “This letter was handwritten by Simon Pokagon and helps shed light on his authorship of a book by Pokagon printed shortly after his death.”
Simon Pokagon (1830‒1899) was a lifelong advocate for reparation of Indian lands and met twice with President Abraham Lincoln to plead his case. In 1893, Pokagon published “Red Man’s Rebuke,” which declared that American Indians could not celebrate the world’s fair anniversary of Christopher Columbus, whose arrival forever changed their traditional way of life. Pokagon went on to speak at the World’s Columbian Exposition to an audience of 75,000—calling for both colonizers and Indigenous peoples to work together toward common aims.
Simon Pokagon’s only full-length book, “O-gi-waw-kwe Mit-i-gwa-ki,” or “Queen of the Woods,” was published in 1899 shortly after his death and tells the story of his wife, Lodinaw. The romantic novel earned Pokagon the moniker “the Red Man’s Longfellow” by literary fans.
Some critics, however, including some Potawatomi tribal members, questioned whether the book was ghostwritten by Sarah Engle, the wife of Pokagon’s publisher and attorney. John Low noted that even today the question of Simon Pokagon’s authorship of this important book is still in question.
“Many critics have questioned whether ‘Queen of the Woods’ was the work of Pokagon,” Low stated. “If he is the true author of this book, then he will continue to be known as one of the first American Indian storytellers in the Western tradition of fiction writing.”
Low believes the Simon Pokagon letter gives some clues. In it, Pokagon writes about completing “Queen of the Woods,” which is proof that he was writing the book one year before the publication date. Moreover, he uses Potawatomi and Ojibwe/Odawa words in his letter, similar to the writing style in his books and publications.
Low suggests the letter confirms Pokagon’s writing abilities that make him the likely true author of “Queen of the Woods.” “The substantial length of the letter shows the writer to be very literate and capable of the writings ascribed to him,” noted Low.
Chicago History Museum director of collections Julie Wroblewski agrees with Low’s theory. “Although this letter was written in 1898, it’s as if Chief Pokagon is speaking to us today,” Wroblewski said. “It’s a simple letter to Pokagon’s friend that also shows the work of an accomplished writer.”
Wroblewski thanked John Low for the addition to the Museum’s archives. “This letter adds significant depth and context to the Simon Pokagon material at the Museum, including an original copy of ‘Red Man’s Rebuke,’” Wroblewski stated. “We are honored to add this important document to our collection to ensure it will be preserved and available for public access to future scholars and researchers.”
Images available here: https://chicagohistory.box.com/s/zzgg9voiqk38zb0utysw1qhlytnyfuq7
###
ABOUT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. A major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. The Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, and images to assist in sharing Chicago stories. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.