Monoquet (Potawatomi chief)

Native American chief (c. 1775-1836) This article is about the Native American chief. For the village in Indiana named after the chief, see Monoquet, Indiana.

ChiefMonoquetOf The Tippecanoe River

Born	c. 1775
Died	c. Spring 1836 Monoquet Village, Kosciusko County, Indiana
Cause of death	Suspected poisoning

Military career
Rank	Chief of the Tippecanoe River
Battles / wars	Battle of Tippecanoe

Chief Monoquet (or Muh-neck-o-it) also known as: Menoga, Minoquet, Menucquett, Menoquet, Manquett (c. 1775) was a Native American Chief within the Potawatomi tribe in Indiana during the 19th century. He's said to have become a young warrior around the age of 15, and was the most influential chiefs of the five that were residing in what is now Kosciusko County when Euro-American people started settling in the county in 1832. His birth date is unknown but in 1835 was estimated to be 60 years old, making his estimated birth year about 1775.

Chief Monoquet played a key role in shaping the Potawatomi's relationship with European settlers, particularly the French. He initially supported the French in their conflicts with other Native American tribes, but later grew disenchanted with the French and became more aligned with the British. He was also known for his efforts to maintain the Potawatomi's autonomy and independence in the face of increasing pressure from European settlers.

While there are various accounts of Chief Monoquet's life and legacy, he is generally remembered as an important leader and advocate for his people during a time of significant change and upheaval.

Appearance

Chief Monoquet was described as a thin, sparse man around 50 years of age, standing approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. He had a high, rather square forehead, small bright eyes, and an aquiline nose. His voice was noted to be tenor, clear, and sharp. One distinctive gesture he made when addressing others was to touch his forehead with the index finger of his right hand, then bring it down with a clap on his right thigh while saying "Cheep," meaning "chief." This gesture was symbolic of his leadership and status within the community.

His village

Chief Monoquet’s village was strategically located along the north bank of the Tippecanoe River, at the headwaters of Ke-top-e-kon (Buffalo Fish Stream) in what is now Kosciusko County, Indiana. The village, which spanned approximately three acres, was the largest in the area and served as a central hub for the Potawatomi people under Monoquet’s leadership. The land contained about fifteen bark-covered wigwams, scattered across the terrain. The village was home to an estimated population of between one hundred and three hundred people, reflecting its significance in the region.

Leadership and character

Chief Monoquet was recognized for his strong leadership and unwavering resistance against the encroaching settlers during the 19th century. Despite being outnumbered and eventually defeated, Monoquet’s actions were seen as both honorable and courageous. His leadership was marked by a deep commitment to his people’s welfare and autonomy. Local historians, like Waldo Adams, have emphasized that within the context of his time, Monoquet remains a heroic figure who exemplified the Potawatomi's enduring spirit in the face of adversity. His stern countenance and determined demeanor reflected his role as a steadfast defender of his community’s way of life.

Migration to Kansas

The Native Americans of Kosciusko County were eventually forced to migrate to Kansas. Chief Monoquet died before his band was forcibly removed.

Mysterious death

His death was attributed to poisoning which tribesmen thought was given to him by a Native American woman who had been visiting from Michigan.

It is said that Monoquet died of lung fever as the result of a prolonged debauch. At the time a handsome young squaw from some tribe in Michigan was on a visit to his village, and, on account of the sudden death of the chief the woman, to whom it is believed he had been attentive, was suspected by certain members of the tribe to have poisoned him. The rumor, reaching her ears, threw her into a panic of fear and she started on foot alone for her Michigan home. Her flight but confirmed the suspicions of the tribe and two young braves were sent in pursuit of the fugitive. One of the warriors overtook her at the crossroads south of Leesburg and brained her with his tomahawk. Two early settlers who were coming down the road, Joseph Harper and Harrison Pool, witnessed the cowardly murder, and approached the two Indian braves. One of the Indians flourished his tomahawk and exclaimed exultantly "Waugh! Big Indian me". Mr. Harper, the plain white man, replied: "Yes, big Indian you, to run down and brain a defenseless squaw!" Then raising his gun, he added: "For a fip I'd put a bullet through your cowardly heart." But the Indians sneaked off to seek a more appreciative audience.

References

Bulletin - Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1910.
^ Author, Guest (17 July 2016). "Early Kosciusko County And Indiana". InkFreeNews.com. Retrieved 2020-10-16. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
^ McPherson, Alan J. (2007). Notable American Indians : Indiana & adjacent states. Internet Archive. Bloomington, Ind. : AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4259-9889-9.
McPherson, Alan J. (2007). Notable American Indians : Indiana & adjacent states. Internet Archive. Bloomington, Ind. : AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4259-9889-9.
Royse, Lemuel W. (1919). A standard history of Kosciusko County, Indiana : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development. A chronicle of the people with family lineage and memoirs. Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co.

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