Monday, April 7, 2014

Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Inkpaduta

In 1857 renegade war chief of Wahpekute of the Dakota or Santee Indian tribe lead a band of marauding invaders on the community of the Spirit Lake Massacre. During the raid they killed over 40 white settlers and captured 5 women. Only 2 survived the grueling torture at the hands of their captors to be traded for goods and supplies the marauders needed.

The last one Abigail Gardner later returned to her cabin, purchased it from proceeds she earned from the manuscript she wrote about her kidnapping and torture and turned into a historical site and helped fund a memorial to those who were killed.

It is thought what caused this was when the Indians saw white settlers living around the area of Spirit Lake which they held so sacred Indians were not allowed to fish or even put a canoe in the water. Even if this is true it did not give Inkpaduta or his band the right to commit the atrocities. Inkpaduta or any of his band were never brought to justice for their crimes.

White settlers did return to the area to rebuild and continue with their lives. Perhaps when Abigail Gardner returned to purchase her original homestead, turn into a museum and have the monument built for the victims killed was a way for her to tell the Indians you could not keep us away, we are still here and what you did will not deter us from being here. Of course this is only speculation, but today Spirit Lake, Iowa is a thriving community.

More info.:
Inkpaduta - Wikipedia
Spirit Lake Massacre - Wikipedia
Spirit Lake Masscre - History.net
Inkpaduta’s Revenge: The True Story of the Spirit Lake Massacre - David L. Bristow
Inkpaduta - americantribes.com




Previous articles in the series:
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Intro and Info.
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Credits and Thanks
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Pre-Sioux City
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Lewis and Clark Expedition
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, William Thompson
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Theophile Bruguier
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Joseph Leonais
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Dr. John Cook
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Settlement to City
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Justice
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Firearms
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Public Officials
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Sioux City Eagle
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, John Brazo
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Recap, Summary and What's Next
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, When Indians Arrived
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Craftsmen and Builders
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Santee Tribe
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Yankton Sioux Tribe
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Winnebago Tribe
Big & Mysterious History of Sioux City, Iowa: Roberts and Cordura Murder, Prairie and Plains Indians
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